FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it can often be moved using a
rocking motion. Turn the steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Press and hold the lock button on the shift lever. Then shift back and
forth between DRIVE and REVERSE, while gently pressing the accelerator.
NOTE:
Shifts between DRIVE and REVERSE can only be achieved at wheel speeds of 5 mph
(8 km/h) or less. Whenever the transmission remains in NEUTRAL for more than two
seconds, you must push the brake pedal to engage DRIVE or REVERSE.
Use the least amount of accelerator pedal pressure that will maintain the rocking
motion without spinning the wheels or racing the engine.
CAUTION!
• Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to transmission overheatingand failure. Allow the engine to idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion cycles. This will minimize
overheating and reduce the risk of transmission failure during prolonged efforts
to free a stuck vehicle.
• When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting between DRIVE and REVERSE, do
not spin the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may
result.
• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast may lead to transmission
overheating and failure. It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no transmission shifting occurring).
NOTE:
Push the “ESC Off” switch (if necessary), to place the Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system in “Partial Off” mode, before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake
Control” in “Starting And Operating” in the Owner’s Manual on the DVD for further
information. Once the vehicle has been freed, push the "ESC Off" switch again to restore
“ESC On” mode.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated by excessive wheel speeds
may cause damage, or even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could explode and
injure someone. Do not spin your vehicle's wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h)
or for longer than 30 seconds continuously without stopping when you are stuck
and do not let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
189
