Truck User Instructions

WARNING

Read and follow all of these instructions and safety messages before operating the truck. Death, dismemberment or serious injury to you, your passengers, and others on the road may result if you do not follow these instructions. Make sure all drivers read and understand all these instructions.

Parking, Backing and Loading

Always set the parking brake when parking. Move the shift selector firmly into park and then firmly set the parking brake. For standard transmission, shift transmission into first or reverse gear and firmly set the parking brake. When facing downhill, turn the wheels toward the curb. When facing uphill, turn the wheels away from curb.

Get help before you back up. There are blind spots behind any vehicle. Do not rely on mirrors alone. If no help can be found, walk around the rear of the truck and MAKE SURE there are no children, pedestrians or obstructions behind you.

Do not hold the ramp or have the ramp extended while the truck is backing up or in motion.

Never overload the truck. Do not exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and the gross axle weight ratings (GAWR), which are posted on a label inside the driver's door opening.

Never load cargo on the outside of the truck.

DO NOT transport hazardous materials, corrosives, explosives or flammables.

Never leave children or keys unattended in the truck.

Disturbances and Emergency Situations

A "disturbance" is improper handling, oversteering or other deviation of the truck from its intended path, due to one or more causes (improper loading, steering inputs, excessive speed, crosswinds, passing vehicles, rough roads, tire blowout, trailer sway or whipping, etc.).

If a disturbance occurs, do not steer or brake. Let off the gas pedal to slow down. Steering or braking during a disturbance can cause a loss of control or crash.

If a wheel goes off the paved roadway, do not steer sharply and do not brake. Let off the gas pedal and slow down below 25 mph. Then steer gradually back onto the roadway. Proceed with caution when entering traffic.

Slow Down

AVOID crashes by slowing down. Reduce your speed from what you would normally drive your car under similar road conditions. Drive defensively – anticipate stops, brake early and never follow closely.

Before going downhill, slow down and shift the transmission into a lower gear, let off the gas pedal and allow the engine to help you control your speed. Do not ride the brakes on downgrades.

Slow down for curves, adverse weather, hazardous road conditions, road construction and expressway exits.

While on the Road

Use the checklist at the end of these instructions while on the road.

Always wear your seat belt. Be sure children are properly restrained.

Rear-facing infant seats should never be placed in the front seat of a truck equipped with a passenger side air bag. A child may be seriously injured if an activated airbag strikes the child restraint.

Do not drive when you are fatigued, sleepy or distracted. Avoid driving at night.

Never use a cell phone when driving. If you need to use a cell phone, find a safe place to exit the roadway.

Never drive under the influence of alcohol or any substance that might impair your vision, judgment or ability to control the truck.

Never allow passengers to ride in the cargo area or on the truck exterior. Passengers risk injury due to shifting cargo, asphyxiation and lack of collision protection.

Exhaust fumes are lethal. Do not operate the engine in a confined area where exhaust fumes could enter through doors or windows. Do not sleep in the truck with the engine running.

Overhead Clearance

 trucks are taller than passenger cars. If you don’t know the overhead clearance, get out of the truck and make certain that you are clear of any obstruction. Do not guess.

Watch out for drive-through restaurants and motel overhangs, service-station canopies, bridges, balconies, roof eaves, porch awnings, electrical wires and tree limbs. Many overhead obstructions are not posted for clearance.

Loading

Load heavy items first

Load the heaviest items first, in front and on the floor. Load lightest items last, on the top and to the rear. Pack all items closely and firmly. Secure partial loads with rope, as close to the front of the cargo area as possible. Never load cargo on the outside of the truck. Be sure the cargo door is closed and latched securely.

Do not overload

Every  truck has a maximum (fully loaded) gross weight label on the driver’s side doorpost. Never load the truck so that it exceeds the listed GVWR and GAWR. If in doubt, check the weight on a commercial or state scale. (See the Yellow Pages under "Scales, Public.") To check GVWR and GAWR weigh the truck with; full fuel tank, all occupants, all cargo and trailer tongue weight if towing.

Hazardous materials

Do not transport hazardous materials, corrosives, explosives or flammables, such as gasoline or paint thinner. A container that is almost empty is just as dangerous as a full one. Flammables may explode or ignite through spontaneous combustion from vehicle movement.

Empty and air out the tanks on lawn mowers, camping stoves and lanterns before loading.

Propane tanks must be secured standing upright, with the fuel hose disconnected, valve closed and checked for leaks before transporting.

Never fill a portable fuel container IN or ON the truck. Set tanks on the ground to fill to avoid static electricity and prevent sparks.

Securely close and properly package household cleaning products.

Loading ramps

 designed the loading ramp to help you load and unload the truck. Make sure the loading ramp is completely stored and latched before you put the truck in motion. Follow ramp operating instructions on the decal in the cargo area of the truck.

Footwear

When loading or driving a  truck wear fully enclosed shoes with slip-resistant soles, such as tennis shoes or work shoes. Flip-flops and sandals do not provide protection from falling objects or sharp edges of your cargo. You are also more likely to slip and fall when wearing flip-flops or sandals.

Wet floors

If the floor of the cargo box or the loading ramp become contaminated (wet, oily, other), remove all contaminate from that surface. You may slip and fall when walking on a contaminated surface.

Driving

Stopping and following distance

 trucks are heavier than passenger cars, especially when loaded. This means it will take you longer to stop.

Allow at least 4 seconds between you and the vehicle in front of you. Start counting when the back of the vehicle in front of you passes a fixed object, such as a line or crack in the road. If the front of your vehicle reaches the object before the end of the 4 seconds, increase your distance.

If you are driving in adverse weather, such as rain, snow, or fog, use at least a 5 second gap.

If a disturbance occurs:

Let off the gas pedal. Never speed up to try to control a disturbance.

Do not apply your brakes.

Hold the steering wheel in a straight ahead position. Do not try to control the disturbance by turning the steering wheel.

After a disturbance has stopped:

Pull a safe distance off the roadway and stop. Get all occupants out of the truck and away from the roadway.

Check the cargo to make sure the load has not shifted. Make sure the truck is loaded heavier in front and not overloaded.

Check that all the tires are properly inflated and that all lug nuts are tight.

Passing

Your truck is heavier and longer than a passenger vehicle and will require more time and distance to pass. Do not pass on hills or curves.

HILLS

Shift into lower gears to prevent the truck from jerking due to engine lugging when traveling up hills. This will improve gas mileage and reduce engine overheating. Do not ride the brake pedal while going downhill. Prolonged use of your brakes results in overheating and possible loss of braking. When you need to slow down, apply the brake pedal and slow down below the intended speed. Then let completely off the brake pedal. Repeat this braking cycle as needed.

Road shoulders

If a wheel goes off the paved roadway:

Do not turn the steering wheel sharply.

Do not apply your brakes.

Let off the gas pedal and slow down below 25 mph. Then steer gradually back on the roadway. Proceed with caution entering traffic.

Servicing-truck

Refueling

Shut off engine before refueling. Extinguish all smoking materials and open flames. Remove fuel tank cap slowly to vent any pressure inside the tank.

Avoid spilling fuel. Hot engine exhaust can ignite flammable vapors, causing a fire or explosion.

Tire pressure

Set all tires to the proper pressure. Find the recommended cold pressure on the tire decals located on the truck. Tire pressures go up during driving. Do not let off this extra pressure.

Engine oil

You should check engine oil at each fuel stop. Use only the grade of oil that is listed on the decal in the engine compartment. Keep the engine oil level between the Add and full marks. Save receipts for reimbursement when you return your truck.

If your truck is equipped with a tilt engine hood, pull it open only from the front handle.

Coolant

Never loosen the radiator cap when engine is hot. Doing so can cause hot coolant to spray out under pressure. Check radiator level only when engine is cold.

Driving checklist

Before driving

Backing and loading

On the road

At stops

Remember-crashes are caused by:

You should always

Remember to take precaution and care. There is a very good reason why "Better safe than sorry" has become the cliche it is.