1997 Buick Riviera Owner's Manual - Page 177

0 In a skid, a driver can lose control vehicle. of the Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by not "overdriving" those conditions. But skids are always possible. The three typesof skids correspond to your Buick's In three control systems. the braking skid, your wheels aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too e Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on much speed or steering a curve causes tires to slip and in two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the lose cornering force. And the acceleration skid, too in next vehicle. much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin. 0 Don't overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly. A cornering skidis best handled by easing your foot off Even though the brake lamps are not flashing, it may the accelerator pedal. be slowing down or starting turn. to If you have the traction control system, remember: It 0 If you're being passed, make easy for the it helps avoid only the acceleration skid. following driver to get ahead you. Perhaps you of can ease a little to the right. If you do not have traction control, or if the system is off, then an acceleration skid also best handled by is Loss of Control easing your foot the accelerator pedal. off Let's review what driving experts say about what happens If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot the off when the three control systems (brakes, steering and accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the acceleration) don't have enough friction where the tires vehicle to go.If you start steering quickly enough, your has meet the road to do what the driver asked. vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid ifit occurs. In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger. Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and start yourleft iane change signal before moving out of the right lane to pass. When youfar enough are ahead of the passed vehicle to its fiont in your see inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal and move back into the right lane. (Remember that your right outside mirror convex. The vehicle you is from you just passed may seem be farther away to than it really is.) Skidding 4-14