1998 Chevrolet Express Van Owner's Manual - Page 176

Skidding In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle. 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 types of skids correspond to your vehicle's three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and 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. 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 andadjust your driving to these conditions. It is important to slow downon slippery surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control more limited. While driving on a surface with reducea rraction, try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause thetires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until your 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 anydoubt. Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps avoid only the braking skid. If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you wantthe vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid if it occurs. 4-13