1993 Chevrolet Lumina Owner's Manual - Page 134

Your Driving andthe Road Steering Tips-Driving on Curves It's importantto take curves at a reasonable speed. A lot of the "driver lost control" accidents mentionedon the news happen on curves. Here's why: Experienced driver or beginner, eachof us is subjectto the same lawsof physics when drivingon curves. The tractionof the tires against the road surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change its path when youturn thefront wheels.If there's no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle goingin the same direction.If you've evertried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll understand this. The tractionyou can getin 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 one the factor you can control. 132 Suppose you're steering through a sharp curve. Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control systemssteering andbraking-have to do their work wherethe tires meet the road. Unless you have four-wheel anti-lock brakes, addingthe hard braking can demand too muchat those places.You can lose control. The same thing can happenyou're if steering through a sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate. Those two control systems-steering and accelerationcan overwhelm those places where the tires meetthe road and make you lose control. What should you do this ever if happens? Let upon the brake or accelerator pedal, steerthe vehicle the way you want it to go, and slow down. Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should adjust your speed. Of on course, the posted speeds are based good weather and road conditions. Under less favorable conditions you'll want to go slower. If you need to reduce yourspeed'asyou approach a curve, do before you enter it the curve, while your front wheels are straight ahead. so Try to adjust your speed you can "drive" through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out the curve, of and then accelerate gently into the straightaway. t When you driveinto a curvea night, it's harder to see the road aheadof you because it bends away from straight the beams of your lights. This is one good reason to drive slower.