Be
aware ofthe extra height of your motorhome. Check
for low hanging tree branches or other obstructions
whenever you drive or park. Avoid low overhangs when
pulling inforservice. Always check overhead clearances
of overpasses and bridges. This may
be
particularly
important if you drive with the overhead vents open or if
the motor home is equipped with a roof air conditioner,
roof rack, CB
or
TV/radio antenna. Before leaving
on
a
trip, check your route. Some tunnels prohibit motor
homes with
LP
gas systems.
When parking paralleltoa curb, be sure to allowforpoles
orobstructions as thefront and rear portions of the motor
home swing widerthan an automobile. When parking on
an incline, turn the front wheels into the curb
in
the
direction of the roll to aid the parking brake. When
parking, always shiftthe transmission to PARK ("P") and
set the parking brake, if applicable.
WARNING
DO NOT PARK OR IDLE THE MOTOR HOME
OVERCOMBUSTIBL,E MATERIALSSUCH AS
TALL
GRASS
OR
DRIED LEAVES. THIS IS
PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IF THE EX-
HAUSTSYSTEMHASNOTBEEN PROPERLY
MAINTAINED. COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS
MAYCATCH FIRE FROM THE HOTEXHAUST
'GASES,
SOOT OR SPARKS THAT COULD
ESCAPETHROUGH CORROSIONHOLESOR
CRACKS.
If
operating, parking or idling your vehicle off-road is
unavoidable, as is often the case
in
recreational use:
Be
awarethatcombustiblematerialscould catch fire from
the vehicle's hot exhaust system.
Avoid driving your vehicle through
or
over combustible
materials such as leaves, grass, vegetation
or
stubble
high enough to touch, catch
or
collect on its hot exhaust
system.
Parking or idling should be done only
in
an
area where
there are no combustible materials underthe vehicle.
FUEL AND FUEL SYSTEMS
See the
Chassis
Operator's
Manual
in
the
Owner's
Information
Packagefor fuel recommendations and/or
for special cautions about maintenance with different
types
or
grades of
fLiels.
Fuel
Fill
The fuel filler cap is located toward the rear of the coach
on gasoline·powered models, and near the front wheel
on passenger side
on
diesel-powered models. Modern
gasolinefuel systems maybuild upvaporpressurewithin
thetank
as
thegasolinewarmsduring use
or
hotweather.
________________________________
11
Under certain conditions, sudden release of this pres-
surewhen removingthe gasolinecapcan causegasoline
to spray from the fill opening, creating a fire hazard.
WARNING
WHEN REMOVING THE GASOLINECAP, RO-
TATE SLOWLY ONLY FAR ENOUGH TO AL-
LOW
PRESSURE
TO
RELEASE.
AFTER
"HISSING" SOUNDSTOPS, COMPLETETHE
REMOVAL OF THE CAP.
To
protect the gasoline system from excessive pressure
or
vacuum,
or
from sudden release of pressure, replace
lost caps with caps of the same design which are avail-
able from your Fleetwood motor home dealer.
Clean up fuel spills immediately. Raw fuel spilled on the
motor home could damage the exterior finish, and is a
serious fire hazard.
NOTE: Diesel fuel systems do
not
build
up
pressure
as
do gasoline systems.
Fuel Types
And
Vapor
Lock
(Gasoline-Powered
Models
Only)
Today's automotive fuel and emissions systems are
sophisticated and highlyengineered to meet Federal and
State emissions standards. They are also sometimes
sensitive to fuel types and blends, particularly fuels
blended forcertain altitudes and climates. Fuel suppliers
provide customers with the correct fuel for their location
andseasonalconditions. Sometimes, though, fuel blended
for winter is supplied during summer months.
"Vaporlock" occurs when gasoline vaporizes, and vapor
pockets block the flow of liquid fuel to the engine. If you
experience enginestall orstutter, you maybe experienc-
ing vapor lock.
If your engine and fuel system are properly tuned and
maintained, you should not experience this problem.
If
vapor lock occurs, the fuel itself could
be
the cause.
If
at
all possible, check with the service station operator
as
to
the fuel blend before filling yourfuel tank.
If
you purchase
your fuel from nationally reco(jnized fuel dealers, your
chances of vapor lock can be reduced.
If
you store your
motorhome duringthe wintermonths, be awarethat when
you takethe vehicle outof storage
in
thespring
or
summer,
winter fuel may cause vapor lockuntil it is consumed.
GENERAL CHASSIS TOPICS
(Gasoline-Powered
Models
Only)
Variable Speed Engine Fan
When the engine is under load or requires maximum
cooling, the engine fan adjusts and turns faster. The fan
may become very noisy
at
high speed and when maxi-
mum cooling is required. High speed fan noise can
sometimes be misinterpreted as transmission slippage.