1994 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner's Manual - Page 115

Your Driving and the Road P . . Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering can D e more effectivethan braking. For example, you come over a hill find and a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pullsout fromnowhere, or a child darts outfrom betweenparked cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these problems by braking if you can stop in time. But sometimes you can't; there isn't room. That's the time for evasive action - steering around theproblem. in Your Chevroletcan perform very well emergencies likethese. First apply your brakes. It is better to remove as much speed as you can from a possible collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left or right depending on thespace available. An emergency likethis requires close If attention and a quick decision. you are holding the steering wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o'clock positions, you can turnit a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing either hand. But you haveto act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have avoidedthe object. The fact that such emergency situations are always possibleis a goodreason to practice defensive drivingat all times and wear safetybelts properly. IOff-Ruad Recovery You may find sometimethat your right lvheels have dropped off the edge of a soad onto theshoulder while you're hiving. :f the level of the shoulder is only ;lightly belowthe pavement, recovery ;hould be fairly easy. Ease the off iccelerator and then, if there is nothing n the way, steer so that your vehicle itraddles the edge of the pavement. You :an turn thesteering wheel up to 1/4 urn until the right front tire contacts he pavement edge.Then turn your ;teeringwheel to go straight down the toadway.