2003 Chevrolet Malibu Owner's Manual - Page 178

Steering in Emergencies There are times whensteering can be moreeffective than braking. For example, you come over hill and find a a truck stopped in your lane,or a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked cars and stops right front of you. You canavoid in these problems by braking - if you can stopin time. But sometimes you can't; there isn't room. That's the time for evasive action - steering around the problem. Your vehicle can performvery well in emergencies like these. First apply your brakes - but, unless you have anti-lock, not enough to lock your wheels. See Braking on page 4-6. 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 as quickly straighten the wheel once you have avoided the object. The fact that such emergency situations are always possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at all times and wear safety belts properly. 4-1 1