1994 Pontiac Firebird Owner's Manual - Page 136

A cornering skid is best handledby Easing your foot off the accelerator pedal. Let's review what driving experts say [f you have the traction control system, about what happens when the three remember: It helps avoid only the control systems (brakes, steering and acceleration skid. If you do not have acceleration) don't have enough friction traction control, or if the system is off, where the tires meet the road do what to then an acceleration skid is also best the driver has asked. handled by easing your foot off the In any emergency, don't give up. Keep accelerator pedal. trying to steer and constantly seekan If your vehicle starts to slide,ease your escape route or area of less danger. bot off the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to go. Skidding If you start steering quickly enough, your In a skid, a driver canlose control of the vehicle may straighten out. Always be vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid most ready for asecond skid if it occurs. skids by taking reasonable care suited Of course, traction is reduced when water, to existingconditions, and by not snow, ice, gravel, or other material is on "overdriving" those conditions. But the road. For safety, you'll want to slow skids are always possible. down and adjust your driving to these The three typesof skids correspondto conditions. It is important to slow down your Pontiac's three control systems. In on slippery surfaces because stopping the braking skid your wheels aren't distance will be longer and vehicle rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, control more limited. too much speed or steering in curve a causes tires to slip and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skidtoo much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin. Loss of Control 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 the tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is 'slipperyuntil your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recqgnize warning 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 braking system (ABS) helps avoid only the braking skid. *:p? ' ' . I , 135 ...