Chevrolet Spark Owners Manual: Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be a serious situation. Stay with the vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use Roadside Assistance. See Roadside Assistance Program on page 13-5.
To get help and keep everyone in the vehicle safe:
- Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
- Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the vehicle. This may cause exhaust gases to get inside. Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
- Clear away snow from around the base of your vehicle, especially any that is blocking the exhaust pipe.
- Check again from time to time to be sure snow does not collect there.
- Open a window about 5 cm (2 in) on the side of the vehicle that is away from the wind to bring in fresh air.
- Fully open the air outlets on or under the instrument panel.
- Adjust the climate control system to a setting that circulates the air inside the vehicle and set the fan speed to the highest setting. See “Climate Control Systems.”
For more information about carbon monoxide, see Engine Exhaust on page 9-20.
To save fuel, run the engine for only short periods as needed to warm the vehicle and then shut the engine off and close the window most of the way to save heat. Repeat this until help arrives but only when you feel really uncomfortable from the cold. Moving about to keep warm also helps.
If it takes some time for help to arrive, now and then when you run the engine, push the accelerator pedal slightly so the engine runs faster than the idle speed. This keeps the battery charged to restart the vehicle and to signal for help with the headlamps. Do this as little as possible to save fuel.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between the tires and the road, creating
less traction or grip.
Wet ice can occur at about 0°C (32° F) when freezing rain begins to fall, resulting
in ev ...
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free the vehicle when stuck in sand,
mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction system to free the vehicle, turn the traction
system off an ...
Other materials:
Electrical System Overload
The vehicle has fuses and circuit breakers to protect against an electrical system
overload.
When the current electrical load is too heavy, the circuit breaker opens and
closes, protecting the circuit until the current load returns to normal or the problem
is fixed. This greatly reduces the c ...
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in the vehicle are protected from short circuits by a combination
of fuses, circuit breakers, and fusible thermal links.
This greatly reduces the chance of fires caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the band is broken or melted,
...
Different Size Tires and Wheels
If wheels or tires are installed that are a different size than the original
equipment wheels and tires, vehicle performance, including its braking, ride and
handling characteristics, stability, and resistance to rollover may be affected.
If the vehicle has electronic systems such as antilock ...
