1994 Chevrolet Lumina Owner's Manual - Page 113

To Use Anti-Lock Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel the system working, or you may notice some noise, but this is normal. tn an emergency you will probably want to "squeeze" the brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear bi f&eithe wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal. This will help you retain steering control. (If you do have anti-lock, it's different: see Index under "Anti-lock Brakes.") In many emergencies, steering can help you more than even the very best braking. ,Braking in Emergencies At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation that requires hard braking. If you have anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same time. However, if you don't have anti-lock, your first reaction'-to hit the brake pedal hard and hold it down -- may be the wrong thing to do. Your wheels can stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle can't respond to your steering. Momentum will carry it in whatever direction it was headed when the wheels stopped rolling. That could be off the road, into the very thing you were trying to avoid, or into traffic. If you don't have anti-lock, use a "squeeze" braking technique. This will give you maximum braking while maintaining steering control. You do this by pushing on the brake pedal with steadily increasing pressure. when driving on curves. The traction of the tires against the road surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If you've ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll understand this. The traction you can get in a curve depends on the condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you're in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control. Suppose you're steering through a sharp curve. Then'you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control systems -- steering and braking -- have to dotheir work where the tires meet the road. Unless you have four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard braking can demand too much of those places. You can lose control. Steering Power Steering If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but it will take much more effort. Steering Tips Drivitlg on Curves It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed. The same thing can happen if you're steering through a sharp curve and you A lot of the "driver lost control" accidents suddenly accelerate. Those two control mentioned on the news happen on curves. systems -- steering and acceleration -Here's why: can overwhelm those places where the tires meet the road and make you lose Experienced driver or beginner, each of control. us is subject to the same laws of physics