1998 Pontiac Grand Am Owner's Manual - Page 172

Skidding If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot the off accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way want the you In a skid, a driver can lose control the vehicle. of vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your Defensive drivers avoid most skids bytaking reasonable a vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for care suited to existing conditions, and by not "overdriving" second skidif it occurs. those conditions. But skids are always possible. Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice, The three types skids correspond to your vehicle's of on gravel or other material is the road. For safety, you'll three control systems. In the braking your wheels skid, want to slow down and adjust your driving to these aren't rolling.In the steering or cornering skid, too conditions. Itis important to slow down on slippery much speed or steering a curve causes tires to slip in and surfaces because stopping distance will longer and be lose cornering force. And the acceleration skid, too in vehicle control more limited. to much throttle causes the driving wheelsspin. try While driving on a surface with reduced traction, A cornering skid is best handled easing your foot off by your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or the accelerator pedal. braking (including engine braking shifting to a lower by gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tiresto If you have the Enhanced Traction System, remember: It slide. You may not realize the surfaceis slippery until helps avoid only the acceleration skid. Learn to recognize warning your vehicle is skidding. If you do not have the Enhanced Traction System,if or clues -- such as enough water, ice or packed snow on off, the system is then an acceleration skid is also best the road to makea "mirrored surface"-- and slow down off handled by easing your foot the accelerator pedal. when you have any doubt. Remember: Any anti-lock brake system(ABS) helps skid. avoid only the braking 4-15