{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under
your vehicle. This can cause deadly CO
(carbon monoxide) gas to get inside.
CO could overcome you and kill you. You
cannot see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow
from around the base of your vehicle if any
is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be sure
snow does not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of
the vehicle that is away from the wind.
This will help keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must.
This saves fuel. When you run the engine,
make it go a little faster than just idle. That is,
push the accelerator slightly. This uses less fuel
for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery (or batteries) charged. You will need a
well-charged battery (or batteries) to restart
the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with
your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
If you have a diesel engine, you may have to run it
at a higher speed to get enough heat.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window
almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start
the engine again and repeat this only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as
little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as
you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of
the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
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