Running the Vehicle While Parked

It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you ever have to, here are some things to know.

WARNING!
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death. Never run the engine in an enclosed area that has no fresh air ventilation. For more information, see Engine Exhaust.

WARNING!
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the automatic transmission shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. The vehicle can roll. Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is running unless you have to. If you have left the engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly level ground, always set the parking brake and move the shift lever to P (Park).

Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not move. See Shifting Into Park.

If parking on a hill and pulling a trailer, see Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips.

    See also:

    Engine Compartment Fuse Block
    The fuse block is located under the hood in the engine compartment on the driver’s side of the vehicle. Remove the primary cover by pressing the two locking tabs. Remove the secondary cover b ...

    Hitches
    It is important to have the correct hitch equipment. Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are a few reasons why the right hitch is needed. Here are some rules to follow: • The rea ...

    Accessory Power Outlet(s)
    With the accessory power outlets, you can plug in auxiliary electrical equipment such as a cellular telephone or CB radio. Your vehicle has three accessory power outlets. There are two outlets ...