1996 Chevrolet Blazer Owner's Manual - Page 167

Loss of Control Let's review what driving expertssay about what happens when the three control systems(brakes, steering and acceleration) don't have enough friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driverhas asked. If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid if it occurs. Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice, gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll want to slow down and adjust your driving to these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control more limited. While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tiresto slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery untilyour vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues -- such as enough water, ice or packed snow on the road to make a "mirrored surface" -- and slow down when you have any doubt. Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps avoid only the braking skid. In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seekan escape route or areaof less danger. Skidding In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid most skidsby taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and not "overdriving" by those conditions. But skids are always possible. The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle's three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels aren't rolling. In the steering or corneringskid, too tires to slip and much speed or steering in a curve causes lose cornering force.And in the acceleration skid, too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin. A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal. 4-13