1996 Pontiac Sunfire Owner's Manual - Page 163

Loss of Control Let's review what driving experts say about what happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering and acceleration) don't have enough frictionwhere the tires meet theroad to do what the driverhas asked. If you do not have the Enhanced Traction System, if or the system is off, then an acceleration skid is alsobest handled by easing your footoff the accelerator pedal. If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot the off accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the steering qnickzy mough, y m vehicle to go. If you sku% vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid if it occurs. Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice, gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll want to slow down and adjust your driving these to conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery surfaces because stopping distancewill be longerand vehicle control more limited. While drivingon a surface with reduced traction, try your best to avoid suddensteering, acceleration or braking (including engine braking shifting to a lower gear). by Any sudden changes couldcause the tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues -- such as enough water, iceor packed snow on the road to make a "mirrored surface"-- and slow down when you have any doubt. Remember: Any anti-lock brakesystem (ABS) helps avoid only the brakingskid. In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek an escape routeor area of less danger. Skidding In a skid, a driver can lose control the vehicle. of Defensive drivers avoid most skids @king reasonable by care suited to existing conditions,and by not "overdriving" those conditions. But skids are always possible. The three typesof skids correspond to your Pontiac's three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose corneringforce. And in the acceleration skid, too much throttle causesthe driving wheels to spin. A corneringskid is best handled easing your foot off by the accelerator pedal. If you have theEnhanced Traction System, remember: It helps avoid only the acceleration skid.