1993 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner's Manual - Page 153

Your Driving and the Road Steering Tips-Driving on Curves It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed. A lot of the "driver lost control" accidents mentioned on the news happen on curves. Here's why: Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to thesame laws of physics when driving on curves. The traction of the tiresagainst the road surface makes it possible forthe vehicle to change its path when you turn thefront wheels. If there's no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle goingin the same direction. If you've ever tried steer a vehicleon to wet ice, you'llunderstand this. The traction you can get in a curve depends on the condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you'rein a curve, speed is the one factor you can control. 152 Suppose you're steering through a sharp curve. Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control systemssteering and braking-have to do their work where the tires meet the road. Unless you have four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard braking can demand too much at those places. You can lose control. The same thing can happen if you're steering through a sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate. Those two control systems-steering and accelerationcan overwhelm those places where the tires meet the road and make you lose control. What should you do if this ever happens? Let up on thebrake or accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way youwant it to go, and slow down. Speed limit signs near curves that warn you should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speedsare based on good weather and road conditions. Under less favorable conditions you'll want to go slower. If you need to reduce your speedas you approach a curve, do before you enter it the curve, while your front wheels are straight ahead. Try to adjust your speed so you can "drive" throughthe curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then accelerate gently into the straightaway. When you driveinto a curveat night, it's harderto see the road aheadof you because it bends away from straight the beams of your lights. This is one good reason to drive slower.