1998 Chevrolet Tracker Owner's Manual - Page 159

Loss of Control Let's review what driving experts say about what ice, happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, gravel or other material is on road. For safety, you'll the and acceleration) don't have enough friction where the want to slow down and adjust your driving to these tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked. conditions. Itis important to slow down on slippery In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to steer and surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and constantly seek an escape route or arealess danger. of vehicle control more limited. vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready a for second skidif it occurs. While drivingon a surface with reduced traction, try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle. braking (including engine braking by shifting a lower to Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to care suited to existing conditions, and by not "overdriving" slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until those conditions. But skids are always possible. your vehicle is skidding. Learnto recognize warning The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle's clues -- such as enough water,ice or packed snow on -the road to make a "mirrored surface" and slow three control systems. the braking skid, your wheels In down when you have any doubt. aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and If you have the anti-lock braking system, remember: It lose cornering force. Andin the acceleration skid, too helps avoid only the braking If you do not have skid. much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin. anti-lock, then in a braking skid (where the wheels are A cornering skid and acceleration skid are best no longer rolling), release enough pressure on the brake an to get the wheels rolling again. This restores steering handled by easing your off the accelerator pedal. foot control. Push the brake pedal down steadily when you If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the are accelerator pedaland quickly steer the way you want the have to stop suddenly.As long as the wheels rolling, vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your you will have steering control. Skidding