1995 GMC Sonoma Owner's Manual - Page 142

surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change itspath when you turn the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. you've ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll If understand this. The traction you can get in a curve depends on the condition of your tires and the road surface, theangle at which the curve is banked, and your speed. Whileyou're in a curve, speed is the one factoryou can control. Suppose you'resteering through a sharp curve.Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control systems - steering and braking - have to do their work where the tires meet the road. Unless you have four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding thehard braking can demand toomuch of those places. You can lose control. The same thing can happen if you're steering through a sharp curveand you suddenly accelerate. Those two control systems - steering and acceleration - can overwhelm those places where the tires meet the road and make you lose control. What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on thebrake or accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want it to go, and slow down. Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are based on good weather and road conditions. Under less favorable conditions you'll want to go slower. If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front wheels are straight ahead. Try to adjust your speed so you can "drive" through the curve.Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then accelerate gently into the straightaway. Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering can be more effective than braking. For example, you come over a hill and find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, a child darts out from between parked or cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these problems by braking - if you can stop in time. But sometimes you can't; there isn't room. That's thetime for evasiveaction - steering around the problem. Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply your brakes -but, unless you have four-wheel anti-lock, not enough to lock your front wheels. It is better to remove as much speed as you can from a possible collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left or right depending on the space available. 4-8