1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette Owner's Manual - Page 244

Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering can be more effective than braking. For example, you come over ahill and find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls out fromnowhere, or achild darts outfrom between parked cars and stops right in frontof you. You can avoid these problems by braking -- if you can stop in time. But sometimes you can't; thereisn't room. That's the time for evasiveaction -- steering around the problem. Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply your brakes. (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. 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 thatsuch emergency situations are always possible is a good reason to practicedefensive driving at all times and wear safety belts properly. 4-12