Make sure there are no obstructions on the windows,
door mirrors, exterior lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
Remove any frost, snow, or
ice.
Make sure the
hood is securely closed.
Make sure the tailgate is fully closed when
it is not being used as an extended pickup bed.
Heat from the engine and
exhaust can ignite flammable materials left under the
hood, causing a fire. If
you’ve parked your vehicle for an extended period, inspect and remove any
debris that may have collected, such as dried grass and leaves that have fallen
or have been carried in for use as a nest by a small animal. Also check under
the
hood for leftover flammable
materials after you or someone else has performed maintenance on your vehicle.
Make sure the
tires are in good condition.
Make sure there are no
people or objects behind or around the vehicle.
If
the doors are frozen shut, use warm water around the door edges to melt any
ice. Do not try to force them open, as this can damage the rubber trim around
the doors. When done, wipe dry to avoid further freezing.