1996 Chevrolet Astro Owner's Manual - Page 146

What should you do if this everhappens? Ease up on the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle way you want it to go,and slow down. the Speed limit signsnear curves warn that you should adjust your speed. Of course, theposted speeds arebased on good weather and road conditions. Under less favorableconditions you'll want to go slower. If you need to reduceyour speed as you approach a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front wheels are straight ahead. Try to adjust your speed so you can "drive" through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then accelerate gently into the straightaway. Steering in Emergencies There are timeswhen steering can be more effective than braking. For example, you come over a hill and find a truck stopped in your lane, ora car suddenly pulls outfrom nowhere, or a child darts outfrom between parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid theseproblems by braking -if you can stop in time. But sometimes you can't; there isn't room. That's the time for evasiveaction - steering around the problem. Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply your brakes. It is better to remove as much speed as you can from a possible collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left or right depending on the space available. An emergency like this requires close attention and a quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o'clock positions, you can turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and just asquickly straighten the wheel once you have avoided the object. The fact that such emergency situations arealways possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at all times and wear safety belts properly. 4-8