2012 GMC Canyon Owner's Manual - Page 176

9-4 Driving and Operating If the engine ever stops while the vehicle is being driven, brake normally but do not pump the brakes. Doing so could make the pedal harder to push down. If the engine stops, there will be some power brake assist but it will be used when the brake is applied. Once the power assist is used up, it can take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push. Control of a Vehicle Braking, steering, and accelerating are important factors in helping to control a vehicle while driving. Curve Tips . Take curves at a reasonable speed. Reduce speed before entering a curve. Maintain a reasonable steady speed through the curve Wait until the vehicle is out of the curve before accelerating gently into the straightaway. There are some situations when steering around a problem may be more effective than braking. Holding both sides of the steering wheel allows you to turn 180 degrees without removing a hand. The Antilock Brake System (ABS) allows steering while braking. . Braking Braking action involves perception time and reaction time. Deciding to push the brake pedal is perception time. Actually doing it is reaction time. Average driver reaction time is about three‐fourths of a second. In that time, a vehicle moving at 100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m (66 ft), which could be a lot of distance in an emergency. Helpful braking tips to keep in mind include: . . . Steering Hydraulic Power Steering Your vehicle has hydraulic power steering. It may require maintenance. See Power Steering Fluid on page 10‑25. If power steering assist is lost because the engine stops or the power steering system is not functioning, the vehicle can be steered but may required increased effort. See your dealer if there is a problem. Steering in Emergencies . . Keep enough distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Avoid needless heavy braking. Keep pace with traffic. . . .