GMC 2009 Sierra - Manual (Page 290)

If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free your
vehicle when stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-32.
If your vehicle has a traction system, it can often help to
free a stuck vehicle. Refer to your vehicle’s traction
system in the Index. If the stuck condition is too severe
for the traction system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the rocking method.
{ CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or others
could be injured. The vehicle can overheat,
causing an engine compartment fire or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little as possible
and avoid going above 35 mph (55 km/h) as
shown on the speedometer.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see Tire Chains on page 5-79.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right to clear
the area around the front wheels. For vehicles with
StabiliTrak
® , turn the traction control part of the system
off. See StabiliTrak ® System on page 4-5. Then shift
back and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward
gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible. To
prevent transmission wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the
accelerator pedal when the transmission is in gear. By
slowly spinning the wheels in the forward and reverse
directions, you will cause a rocking motion that
could free your vehicle. If that does not get your vehicle
out after a few tries, it might need to be towed out.
Or, you can use recovery hooks, if your vehicle
has them. If your vehicle does need to be towed out,
see Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-41.
4-32