1998 Chevrolet Lumina Owner's Manual - Page 171

As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly. Remember: Anti-lock doesn't change the time you need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease stopping distance.If you get too close to vehicle in the front of you, you won't have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough roomup ahead to stop, even though you have anti-lock brakes. Using Anti-Lock Don't pumpthe brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down firmly andlet anti-lock workfor you. You may feel a slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise, but this is normal. When your anti-lock system is adjusting brake pressure to help avoid a braking skid, this light will come on. See "Anti-Lock Brake System Active Light" in the Index. 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, you don't have anti-lock, your if first reaction -- to hit the brake pedal hard and hold it down -- may be the wrong thing todo. Your wheels can stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle can't respond to your steering. Momentum will carryin whatever it direction it was headed when the wheels stopped rolling That could be off road, into the very thing you were the 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 thisby pushing on the brake pedal with steadily increasing pressure. In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the brakes hard without locking the wheels.you If hear orfeel the wheels sliding, ease the brake pedal. off This will help you retain steering control. (If you do have anti-lock, it's different: "Anti-Lock Brakes" see in the Index.) In many emergencies, steering can help you more than even the very best braking. LOW TRAC 4-9