1996 Pontiac Firebird Owner's Manual - Page 241

If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow What you d0n't want todo when your vehicle is stuck is to spin your wheels too fast. method known as The "rocking" can help you get out when you're stuck, but you must use caution. NOTICE: Spinning your wheels destroy parts of your can vehicle as well as the tires. If you spin thewheels too fast while shifting your transmission back and forth, you can destroy your transmission. For infomation about using tire chains on your vehicle, see "Tire Chains" in theIndex. I - . If you let yourtires spin at high speed, they can explode, and you or others could beigjlared. And, the transmissionor other partsof the vehicle can overheat. That could causean engine compartment fire or otherdamage. When you're stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don't spin the wheels above35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the speedometer. Rocking your vehicle to get it out: First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will clear the area around your front wheels. If your vehicle has traction control, you should turn the system off. (See "Traction Control System" in the Index.) Then shift back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear (or with a manual transmission, between FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R)), spinning the wheels as little as possible. Releasethe accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transmission is in gear. If that doesn't get you out after a few tries, you may need to be towed out. If you do-need to be towed out, see "Towing Your Vehicle" in the Index. !- > :; .: 1) . . I . i .. > , . !