1997 Pontiac Sunfire Owner's Manual - Page 242

If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow What you don't want to do when your vehicle is stuck is to spin your wheels too fast. The method known as "rocking" can help you get 'outwhen you're stuck, but you must use caution I ~ NOTICE: Spinning your wheels can destroy partsof your vehicle as well as the tires, you spin the wheels If too fastwhile shifting your transaxle back and forth, you can destroy your transaxle. For information about using tire chains on your vehicle, see "Tire Chains" in the Index. -. . If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can explode, and you or others could be injured, And, the transaxleor other partsof the vehicle can overheat, That could causean engine compartment fire or other damage. When you're stuck, spin the wheels little as possible. Don't as spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the speedometer. Rocking hour V lick 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 the Enhanced Traction System, you should turn the system off. (See "Enhanced Traction System" in the Index.) Then shift back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward gear (or with a manual transaxle, between FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R)), spinning the wheels as little as possible, Release the accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in gea. 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.