1997 Chevrolet Corvette Owner's Manual - Page 194

Loss of Control Let's review what driving experts say about what happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering and acceleration) don't have enough friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked. If your TCS system is off,thenan acceleration skid is also best handledby easing your foot the accelerator pedal. off If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot the off accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid if it occurs. Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice, gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll want to slow down and adjust your driving to these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and vehicle controlmore limited. While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or braking (including engine braking by shifting toa lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires slide. to You may not realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.Learn to recognizewarning clues -- such as enough water, ice orpacked snow on the road to make a "mirrored surface" -- and slow down when you have any doubt. Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps avoid onlythe bralung skid. In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek an escape routeor area of less danger. Skidding In a skid, a driver can lose controlof the vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by not "overdriving" those conditions. But skids are always possible. The three types of skids correspond toyour Corvette's three control systems. In thebraking skid, your wheels aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a curve causestires to slipand lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin. A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal. Remember: Any TCSsystem helps avoid only the acceleration shd. 4-15