1995 Cadillac Seville Owner's Manual - Page 198

Braking action involves perception time reaction time. and pedal. That'sperception First, you have to decide to push on the brake time. Then you have to bring upyour foot and do it. That's reaction time. Average reaction time isabout 3/4 of a second.But that's only an average. It might be less withone driver and as long as two or threeseconds or more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight all playa part.So do alcohol, drugs and frustration. But even in vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet 3/4 of a second, a (20 m). That could be alot of distance in an emergency, so keeping enough space between your vehicle and others is important. vary And, of course, actual stopping distances greatly with the surface of the road (whether pavement or gravel); the condition of the road it's (wet, dry, icy); tire tread;and the condition of your brakes. Avoid needless heavy braking. Some peopledrive in spurts -- heavy acceleration followed by heavy braking -- rather thankeeping pacewith traffic. This is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much faster if you do a lotof heavy braking. If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic following distances, you will eliminate alot of unnecessary braking. That means better braking and longer brake life. If your engine ever stops while you're driving, brake normally but don't pump yourbrakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder topush down. If your engine stops, you will stillhave some power brake assist. But you will use it when you brake. Once the power assist isused up, it may take longer to stopand the brake pedalwill be harder to push. 4-7