1998 Pontiac Sunfire Owner's Manual - Page 179

The traction you can get in a curve depends on the condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you're in a curve, speed is the onefactor you can control. Suppose you're steering through a sharp curve. Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control systems -- steering and acceleration -- have to do their work where thetires meet the road. Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too much of those places. You can lose control. Refer to "Enhanced Traction System" in the Index. 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 ahill and find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these problems by braking -- if you can stopin time. But sometimes you can't; there isn't room. That's the time for evasive action -- steering around the problem. Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply your brakes. (See "Braking in Emergencies" earlier in thissection.) It is better to remove as much speed as you can froma possible collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left or right depending on the space available. What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on the 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 needto reduce your speed as you approach a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front wheels are straight ahead. 4-11