1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette Owner's Manual - Page 241

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