FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE and REVERSE (with automatic transmission) or 1st gear and Reverse (with manual transmission). Using minimal accelerator pedal pressure to maintain the rocking mo- tion, without spinning the wheels, is most effective.
CAUTION! Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en- gine to idle with the shift lever 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.
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Con- trol or Electronic Stability Control (ESC), turn the system OFF before attempting to “rock” the vehicle.
CAUTION!
• When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween DRIVE and REVERSE (with automatic transmission) or 1st gear and Reverse (with manual transmission), 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).
WARNING! Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener- ated 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 vehi- cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop- ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE
If a malfunction occurs and the shift lever cannot be moved out of the PARK position, you can use the following procedure to temporarily move the shift lever: 1. Firmly apply the parking brake. 2. Remove the shift lever override access cover located on the right side of the shift lever housing.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position without starting the engine (engine OFF). 4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal. 5. Using a small screwdriver or similar tool, push and hold the override release lever forward.
Shift Lever Override Access Cover
6. Move the shift lever to the NEUTRAL position. 7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL. 8. Reinstall the shift lever override access cover.
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