1994 GMC Jimmy Owner's Manual - Page 170

Skidding In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid most skidsby taking reasonablecare suited to existing conditions, and by not "overdriving" those conditions. But skids are always possible. The three typesof skids correspond to your Vehicle's three control systems. In the braking skid your wheels aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much speed steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose or cornering force.And in the acceleration skid too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin. by easing your A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best handled foot off the accelerator pedal. If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your footthe accelerator pedal and off quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to go. you start steering If quickly enough, your vehiclemay straighten out. Always be ready a for second skidif it occurs. or Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice, gravel, other material is on the road. For safety, you'll want to slow down and adjust your driving t these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control more limited. While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding. Learn torecognize warning clues- such as enough water, ice packed or snow on the road to make a "mirrored surface" and slow down when you have any doubt. Remember: Any anti-lock braking system (ABS) helps avoid only the braking skid. Driving Guidelines This multipurpose passenger vehicle is defined as a utility vehicle in Consumer Information Regulations issued the National Highway Traffic by Safety Administration (NHTSA) the United States Department of of Transportation. Utility vehicles have higher ground clearance and a narrower track to make them capable performing in a wide variety of off-road of applications. Specific design characteristics give them a higher center of gravity than ordinary cars. advantage of the higher ground clearance is a An better view of the road allowing you to anticipate problems. They are not designed for cornering at the same speeds as conventional 2-wheel drive vehicles any more than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under off-road conditions. If at all possible, avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.As with other vehiclesof this type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or vehicle rollover. 4- 12