1993 GMC Suburban Owner's Manual - Page 181

ontrol of a You have three systems that make your vehicle go where you want it to go. Theyare thebrakes,thesteeringandtheaccelerator. All threesystemshave to do theirworkattheplaceswherethetiresmeettheroad. I AM409006 Sometimes,aswhenyou'redrivingonsnoworice,it'seasy to askmoreof thosecontrolsystemsthanthetiresandroadcanprovide.Thatmeansyou canlosecontrolofyourvehicle. Braking Brakingactioninvolves perceptiontime and reactiontime. First,youhavetodecide to pushonthebrakepedal.That's time. Then you have to bringupyourfootanddoit.That's perception reactiontime. Average reactiontime is about 314 of asecond.Butthat's only an average. two or threesecondsor Itmightbelesswithonedriverandaslongas morewithanother.Age,physicalcondition,alertness,coordination,and So do alcohol,drugsandfrustration.Buteven in 314 eyesightallplayapart. of asecond, a vehiclemovingat 60 mph (100 kmlh) travels 66 feet (20 m). Thatcouldbealot of distance in anemergency, so keepingenoughspace between your vehicle and others is important. And,ofcourse,actualstoppingdistancesvarygreatlywiththesurfaceofthe road(whether it's pavementorgravel);thecondition of theroad(wet, icy); tire tread; and the condition ofyourbrakes. dry, 4-1 3