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:
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver frontal airbag is in the center of the steering wheel.
The front outboard passenger frontal airbag is in the passenger side instrument
panel.
The driver knee airbag is below the steering column. The front outboard passenger
knee airbag is below the glove box.
Driver Sid ...
Service Vehicle Soon Light
For vehicles with this light, it
comes on if a condition exists that may require the vehicle to be taken in for service.
If the light comes on, take the vehicle to your dealer for service as soon as
possible.
Owner Manual Indicator
This symbol is shown when you need
to see the owner manual ...
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
This vehicle has an HSA feature, which may be useful when the vehicle is stopped
on a grade sufficient enough to activate HSA.
This feature is designed to prevent the vehicle from rolling, either forward
or rearward, during vehicle drive off. After the driver completely stops and holds
the ve ...
