1993 Cadillac Eldorado Owner's Manual - Page 197

Steering Tips Driving on Curves It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed. A lot of the "driver lost control" accidents mentioned thenews on happen oncurves. Here's why: laws of Experienced driver or beginner, each us is subject to the same of physics when drivingon curves. The tractionof the tires against the road surface makesit possible forthe vehicle to change its pathwhen you turn going the frontwheels. If there's no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle in the same direction. you've ever tried to steer a If vehicle on wet ice, you'll understand this. The tractionyou can getin a curve dependson the conditionof your tires the and the road surface, angle at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you're a curve, speedis the one factoryou can control. in a Suppose you're steering through sharp curve. Then you suddenly accelerate. Those two control systems -- steering and acceleration can overwhelm -those places where the tires meet the road and make lose control. you What shouldyou do if this ever happens? Letup on the accelerator pedal, steer thevehicle the way you want it to go, and slow down. Speed limit signs near curves warn thatyou should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are based on good weather and road conditions. Underless favorable conditionsyou'll want to go slower. If you need to reduce your speed as approach a curve, do it before you you enter thecurve, while your front wheels are straight ahead. Try to adjust your speed you can "drive" through the curve. Maintain a so reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerateuntil you are outof the curve, and then accelerate gently into the straightaway. When you drive into a curve night, it's harder to see the road ahead at of you because it bends away from thestraight beams of your lights. This is one good reason to drive slower. 183