1998 Buick Riviera Owner's Manual - Page 181

' If you do not have traction control, or the systemis if off, then an acceleration skid also best handled is by Let's review what driving experts say about what easing your foot the accelerator pedal. off happens whenthe three control systems (brakes, steering foot and acceleration) don't have enough friction where the If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your off the. accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the tires meet the road do what the driver has asked. to vehicle to go.If you start steering quickly enough, your In any emergency, don't give up. Keep tqmg to steer and vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready a for constantly seekan escape route or area of less danger. second skid ifit occurs. Of course, tractionis reduced when water, snow, ice, Skidding gravel or other material on the road. For safety, you'll is In a skid, a driver can lose control vehicle. of the want to slow down and adjust your driving to these Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonableconditions. It is important to slow down on slippery care suited to existing conditions, and not by surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and "overdriving" those conditions. But skids are vehicle control more limited. always possible. While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try The three typesof skids correspond to your vehicle's your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or three control systems. In braking skid, your wheels the braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering too skid, gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and You may not realize the surface is slippery until your lose cornering force. And in acceleration skid, too the vehicle is skidding. Learnto recognize warning much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin. clues -- such as enough water, or packed snow on ice the road to make a "mirrored surface" and slow A cornering skidis best handled by easing your foot off -the accelerator pedal. down when you have any doubt. If you havethe traction control system, remember: It Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS)helps avoid onlythe braking skid. helps avoid onlythe acceleration skid. Loss of Control 4-14