1993 Oldsmobile Silhouette Owner's Manual - Page 156

Your Driving and the Road the curve is banked, and your speed. While you're in a curve, speed isthe It's important to take curves at a one factor you can control. reasonable speed. Suppose you're steering through a sharp A lot of the "driver lost control'' curve. Then you suddenly accelerate. accidents mentioned on the news happen Those two control systems-steering on curves. Here's why: and acceleration-can overwhelm those Experienced driver or beginner, each of places where the tires meet the road and us is subject to thesame laws of physics make you lose control. when driving on curves. The traction of the tires against the road surface makes What should you do if this ever it possible for the vehicle to change its happens? Let upon the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you path when you turn the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia will keep the want it to go, and slow down. vehicle going in the samedirection. If Speed limit signs near curves warn that you've ever tried to steer a vehicleon you should adjust your speed. Of wet ice, you'll understand this. course, the posted speeds are based on good weather and road conditions. The traction you can get in acurve Under less favorable conditions you'll depends on the condition of your tires and the road surface, theangle at which want to go slower. Steering Tips-Driving on Curves If you need to reduce your speedas you approach a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while yourfront wheels are straight ahead. Try to adjust your speed you can so "drive" through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerate untilyou are out of the curve, and then accelerate gently into the straightaway. When you drive into a curve at night, it's harder to see the road ahead of you because it bendsaway from the straight beams of your lights. This is one good reason to drive slower.