2003 Chevrolet Astro Owner's Manual - Page 184

2003 Chevrolet Astro Manual

Page 184 highlights

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 the vehicle in front of you, you won't have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have anti-lock brakes. Power Steering If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but it will take much more effort. Using Anti-Lock Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down firmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel the brakes vibrate, or you may notice some noise, but this is normal. Steering Tips Driving on Curves It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed. A lot of the "driver lost control" accidents mentioned on the news happen on curves. Here's why: Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The traction of the tires against the road surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If you've ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll understand this. The traction you can getin a curve depends on the condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you're in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control. Braking in Emergencies With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more than even the very best braking. 4-9

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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 the
vehicle in front of
you,
you
won’t
have time to apply
your
brakes
if
that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops.
Always
leave
enough
room
up
ahead to stop,
even
though
you
have anti-lock brakes.
Using
Anti-Lock
Don’t
pump
the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly
and
let anti-lock work
for
you.
You
may feel
the brakes vibrate,
or
you
may notice some noise, but
this is normal.
Braking
in
Emergencies
With
anti-lock,
you
can
steer
and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more
than
even the very best braking.
Power Steering
If
you
lose
power steering
assist
because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you
can steer but
it will take much
more
effort.
Steering
Tips
Driving on Curves
It’s important to take curves at
a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the
news
happen
on curves. Here’s why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us
is subject
to the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it
possible for
the vehicle to change its
path when
you turn the front wheels.
If there’s no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in
the same direction.
If you’ve ever tried to steer
a vehicle on
wet ice,
you’ll understand this.
The traction you
can
get
in a curve depends on
the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you’re
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
4-9