1998 Chevrolet Tracker Owner's Manual - Page 151

Control of a Vehicle You have three systems that make your vehicle go where you want it to go. Theyare the brakes, the steering and the accelerator. All three systems have do their work to at the places wherethe tires meet the road. Braking Braking action involves perception time and reaction time. First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal. That's perception time. Then you have to bring up your foot anddo it. That'sreaction time. Average reaction timeis about 3/4 of a second. But that's only an average. might be less with one driver It and as longas two or three seconds or more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination and eyesight all play part. So do alcohol, drugs and a frustration. But even in of a second,a vehicle 3/4 moving at 60 mph (100 k k travels 66 feet (20 m). m) That could be a lot distance in emergency, so of keeping enough space between your vehicle and others is important. a n , And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly with the surface the road (whether it's pavement or of gravel); the condition the road (wet, dry, icy); tire of tread; the condition your brakes; the weight of the of vehicle and the amount brake force applied. of Sometimes, as when you're driving on snow or ice, it's of easy to ask more those control systems than the tires and road can provide. That means you lose control can of vehicle. your 1