1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette Owner's Manual - Page 247

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