In an Emergency

Hazard Warning Lights

The hazard warning light tab is located on the turn signal control lever. See Fig. 13.1 . To operate the hazard lights, pull the tab out. All of the turn signal lights and both of the indicator lights on the control panel will flash.
Fig. 13.1, Hazard Warning Light Tab
To cancel the hazard warning lights, push the turn signal control lever either up or down, then return the lever to its neutral position.

Emergency Kit, Optional

An optional emergency kit package is located in the baggage compartment behind the driver's seat if the vehicle has a sleeper compartment. If there is no sleeper compartment, the emergency kit is located behind and between the seats. The package includes one or more of each of the following: fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and a triangular reflector and flare kit.
If there is an emergency while driving, cautiously pull off the road, paying attention to other traffic. Turn on the hazard warning lights. Place the flares and reflector along the side of the road, to alert other drivers that an emergency situation exists.
WARNING
Use extreme care when placing flares in emergency situations that involve exposure to flammable substances such as fuel. An explosion or fire could occur causing serious personal injury.

Towing

When it is necessary to tow the vehicle, make sure the instructions below are closely followed to prevent damage to the vehicle.
WARNING
Do not tow an unbraked vehicle if the combined weight of both vehicles is more than the sum of the gross axle weight ratings (GAWR) of the towing vehicle. Otherwise brake capacity will be inadequate, which could result in personal injury or death.

Front Towing Hookup

1.
Disconnect the battery ground cables.
CAUTION
Failure to remove the axle shafts when towing the vehicle with the rear wheels on the ground could result in damage to the transmission and other parts.
2.
Remove both drive axle shafts. On dual drive axles, if the vehicle is to be lifted and towed, remove only the rearmost drive axle shafts.
2.
On vehicles equipped with an air fairing, remove both the forward and rearmost drive axle shafts if there is insufficient towing clearance.
3.
Cover the ends of the hubs with metal plates or plywood cut to fit the axle opening, and drilled to fit the axle shaft studs. This prevents lubricant from leaking out, and will keep contaminants from getting into and damaging the wheel bearings and axle lubricant.
CAUTION
Failure to protect the frame rails from the chains could cause damage, leading to eventual frame failure.
4.
On dual drive axles, if the vehicle is to be lifted and towed, chain the forward rear-axle assembly to the vehicle frame. Use protection to keep the chains from damaging the frame.
5.
Remove the bumper extension and chrome bumper, if so equipped. Remove the bumper fairing, if so equipped.
6.
On vehicles equipped with an air fairing, adjust the trim tab to the lowest position.
CAUTION
Do not pass a sling (for example, a rope or chain) from one tow hook to another to fasten for towing (see Fig. 13.2 ). Known as reeving, this practice is not permissible in most industrial applications of towing and hoisting. Reeving can overload the hooks and result in damage to the vehicle.
7.
Attach the towing device. Due to the many variables that exist in towing, positioning the lifting and towing device is the sole responsibility of the towing-vehicle operator.
8.
On vehicles equipped with an air fairing, measure the distance from the ground to the bumper, or from the ground to a frame bracket.
IMPORTANT: Do not reeve when towing.
Fig. 13.2, Reeving
9.
Lift the vehicle, and secure the safety chains. If extra towing clearance is needed, remove the front wheels.
10.
On vehicles equipped with an air fairing, repeat the measurement taken in step 8. The difference between the two measurements must not exceed 14 inches (36 cm). If necessary, lower the vehicle.
WARNING
Failure to lower the vehicle could result in the air fairing striking an overhead obstruction, such as a bridge or overpass, and causing vehicle damage or personal injury.
11.
Connect the clearance lights, taillights, and signal lights. Connect any special towing lights required by local regulations.
12.
Chock the disabled vehicle's tires, and connect the towing vehicle's air brake system to the vehicle being towed. Then, release the spring parking brakes and remove the chocks.
WARNING
Failure to chock the tires or connect the tow truck's air brake system before releasing the spring parking brakes could allow the disabled vehicle to suddenly roll. This could cause property damage or personal injury.

Rear Towing Hookup

CAUTION
Using a rear towing hookup on a vehicle equipped with a roof fairing could cause damage to the cab structure.
IMPORTANT: Because of the possibility of excessive wind force which could cause damage to the cab, do not use a rear towing hookup on any vehicle equipped with a roof fairing.
1.
Place the front tires straight forward, and secure the steering wheel in this position.
2.
Disconnect the battery ground cables.
CAUTION
Failure to protect the frame rails from the chains could cause damage, leading to eventual frame failure.
3.
On dual drive axles, using protection to keep the chains from damaging the vehicle frame, chain the forward-rear drive axle to the frame.
4.
Attach the towing device. Due to the many variables that exist in towing, positioning the lifting and towing device is the sole responsibility of the towing-vehicle operator.
5.
Lift the vehicle, and secure the safety chains. If extra clearance is needed, remove the bumper extension, if equipped.
6.
Connect the clearance lights, taillights, and signal lights. Also connect any special towing lights required by local regulations.

Emergency Starting With Jumper Cables

When using jumper cables, follow the instructions below.
WARNING
Batteries release explosive gas. Do not smoke when working around batteries. Put out all flames and remove all sources of sparks or intense heat in the vicinity of the battery. Do not allow the vehicles to touch each other. Do not lean over the batteries when making connections, and keep all other persons away from the batteries. Failure to follow these precautions could lead to severe personal injury as a result of an explosion or acid burns.
CAUTION
Make sure both starting systems have the same voltage outputs, and avoid making sparks. Otherwise the vehicle charging systems could be severely damaged. Also, do not attempt to charge isolated, deep-cycle batteries with jumper cables. Follow the battery manufacturer's instructions when charging deep-cycle batteries.
NOTE: On vehicles equipped with an optional jump-start post, attach the positive cable clamp to that post instead of to the battery.
1.
Apply the parking brakes and turn off the lights and all other electrical loads.
2.
Connect an end of one jumper cable to the positive terminal of the booster battery (or jump-start post, if equipped), and connect the other end of the cable to the positive terminal of the discharged battery (or jump-start post, if equipped). See Fig. 13.3 .
  • A. To Ground
  • B. Connect 3rd
  • C. To Frame (ground)
  • D. Connect Last
  • E. To Starter
  • F. Connect 2nd
  • G. Connect 1st
  • 1. Booster Battery
  • 2. Discharged Battery
Fig. 13.3, Jumper Connections
WARNING
Do the next step exactly as instructed and do not allow the clamps of one cable to touch the clamps of the other cable. Otherwise, a spark could occur near a battery, possibly resulting in severe personal injury from explosion or acid burns.
3.
Connect one end of the second jumper cable to the negative terminal of the booster battery, and connect the other end of the cable to a ground at least 12 inches (300 mm) away from the batteries of the vehicle needing the start. The vehicle frame is usually a good ground. Do not connect the cable to or near the discharged batteries.
4.
Start the engine of the vehicle with the booster batteries, and let the engine run a few minutes to charge the batteries of the other vehicle.
5.
Attempt to start the engine of the vehicle with the batteries receiving the charge. Do not operate the starter longer than 30 seconds, and wait at least two minutes between starting attempts to allow the starter to cool.
6.
When the engine starts, let it idle a few minutes.
WARNING
Do the next step exactly as instructed and do not allow the clamps of one cable to touch the clamps of the other cable. Otherwise, a spark could occur near a battery, possibly resulting in severe personal injury from explosion or acid burns.
7.
Disconnect the grounded cable from the frame or other nonbattery location; then disconnect the other end of the cable.
8.
Disconnect the remaining cable from the newly charged battery (or jump-start post, if equipped) first; then disconnect the other end.

Fire in the Cab

The incidence of fire in heavy- and medium-duty trucks is rare, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard #302 limits the flammability of specified materials used inside the cab, but despite this, most materials will burn. The cab of this vehicle contains urethane foam, which is of concern in this respect.
WARNING
Urethane foam is flammable! Do not allow any flames, sparks, or other heat sources such as cigarettes or light bulbs to contact urethane foam. Urethane foam in contact with such heat sources could cause a serious, rapid fire, which could result in death, severe burns, or gas poisoning, as well as damage to the vehicle.

In Case of a Cab Fire

As quickly as possible, bring the vehicle to a safe stop, apply the parking brake, turn off the ignition, and get out of the vehicle.