1993 Buick Century Owner's Manual - Page 156

Don't overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly. Even though the brake lights not flashing, it may be are slowing down or starting to turn. If you're being passed, make easy for the following it driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you can ease little a to the right. 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 friction where the tires meet the roadto do what the driver has asked. A cornering skid andan acceleration skid are best handled by easing your footoff the accelerator pedal. If your vehicle starts to slide (as when you a corneron turn foot a wet, snow- or ice-covered road), ease your off the accelerator pedal as soon as you feel the vehiclestart to slide. Quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your vehicle will straighten out. As it does, straighten the front wheels. Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice, gravel, or other material is on the road. safety, you'll For to want to slow down and adjust your driving these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control more limited. While driving on a surfhce with reduced traction, try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,or braking (including engine braking shifting to a lower by gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.Learn to recognize warning cluessuch as enough water, ice packed snow on the roadto or make a "mirrored surface"-and slow down when you have any doubt. 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 taking reasonable by care suitedto existing conditions, andby not "overdriving" those conditions. But skids are always possible. The three typesof skids correspondto your Buick'sthree control systems. In the braking skid your wheels aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too muchspeed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force.And in the acceleration skid too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin. 154