1997 Chevrolet Lumina Owner's Manual - Page 167

Suppose you're steering through a sharp curve. Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control systems -- steering and braking have to do their work -where the tires meet the road. Unless you have four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard braking can demand too much of those places. You can lose control. The same thing can happen if you're steering through a sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate.Those two control systems -- steering and acceleration -- can overwhelm those places where the tires meet the road and make you lose control. What should you if this ever happens? Ease up on the do brake or accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle theway you want it to go, and slow down. Speed limit signs nearcurves warn that you should adjust your speed.Of course, the posted speeds are based on good weather and road conditions.Under less favorable conditions you'll want to slower. go If you need toreduce your speed as you approach a curve, do it before you enter curve, whileyour front the wheels are straight ahead. Try to adjust yourspeed so you can "drive" through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steadyspeed. Wait to accelerate until youare out of the curve, and then accelerate gently into the straightaway. Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering can more effective be than braking.For example, you come over a hill and find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, ora child darts outfrom between parked carsand stops right in front you. You can of avoid these problemsby braking -- if you can stop in time. But sometimes you can't; there isn't room. That's thetime for evasive action -- steering around the problem. Your Chevrolet can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply your brakes -- but, unless you have anti-lock' notenough to lock your wheels. (See "Braking in Emergencies" earlier in this section.) 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. 4-11