1996 Chevrolet Astro Owner's Manual - Page 145

Remember: Anti-lock doesn't change the time you need to getyour foot up to the brake pedal. you get too close to the vehicle in front If of you, you won't have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have anti-lock brakes. To Use Anti-Lock Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel thebrakes vibrate, or you may notice some noise, but this is normal. Braking in Emergencies Use your anti-lock braking system when you need to. With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more than even the very best braking. Power Steering If you lose power steering assistbecause the engine stops or system is the not functioning, you can steer but it take much more effort. will Steering Tips Driving on Curves It's important to take curvesat a reasonable speed. A lot of the "driver lost control" accidents mentioned on the news happen on curves.Here's why: Experienced driver orbeginner, each of us is subject to the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The traction of the tires againstthe road surface makes it possible for vehicle tochange its path when you turn the the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertiawill keep the vehicle going in the same direction. you've ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll If understand this. The traction you can get in a curve depends on the condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle which the curve is banked, your at and speed. While you're in a curve, speed is the one factor 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 the tires meet the road. Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too much of those places.You can losecontrol. 4-7