1995 Pontiac Firebird Owner's Manual - Page 162

Braking in Emergencies Use your anti-lock braking system when you need to. With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more than even thevery best braking. The traction youcan get in a curve depends on the condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at which the curve banked, and yourspeed. While is you're in a curve, speed the one factor you can is control. Suppose you're steering through sharp curve. Then a you suddenly accelerate. Both control systems -steering and acceleration have to do their work where -the tires meet the road. Unless you traction control have and the system on, adding the sudden acceleration is can demand too much those places.You can lose control. of Speed limit signs near curves warn you should that adjust your speed. course, the posted speeds Of are based on good weather and road conditions. Under less favorable conditions you'll want to slower. go If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front wheels are straight ahead. Steering Power Steering If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system not functioning, you steer but is can it will take much more effort. 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 is subject to us the same laws physics when drivingon curves. The of traction of the tires against road surface makes the it possible for the vehicle to change path when you its turn the front wheels. If there's traction, inertia will keep no the vehicle going in the same direction. If you've ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll understand this. Try to adjust your speedso you can "drive" through the curve. Maintaina reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerate until you out of the curve, and then are accelerate gentlyinto the straightaway. 4-11