1996 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner's Manual - Page 165

The traction you can getin a curve dependson the condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you're in a curve, speed is the one factor you control. can Suppose you're steering through a sharp curve. Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control systems -- steering and braking -- have to do ~ e i r work where the tires meet the road. Unless you have four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard braking can demandtoo much of those places. You can lose control. The same thing can happen if you're steering througha sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate. Those two control systems -- steering and acceleration -- can overwhelm those places where the tires meet the road and make you lose control. What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on the brake or accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want it to go, and slow down. Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should adjust your speed, Of course, the posted speeds are based on good weather and road conditiolls. Under less favorable conditions you'll want to go slower. If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a curve, do it b'efore youenter the curve, while your front wheels are straight ahead. Try to adjust your speed so you can "drive" through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then accelerate gently into the straightaway. Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering can be more effective than braking. For example, you come overa hill and find a truck stopped in your lane, or acar suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked cars and stops right in front you. You can avoid these of problem by braking -- if you can stop in time. But sometimes you,can't; there isn't room. That's the e for tm i evasive action-- steering around the problem. Your Pontiac can perform very well inemergencies like these. First apply your brakes -- but, unless you have anti-lock, not enough to lock your wheels. (See "Braking in Emergencies" earlier in this section.) It is better t'oremove as much speed as you can froma possible collision. Then steer around the problem, to -the left 'orright depending on the space available. , I' .I , . . ' I :. . ... .. . .~ 1-.. - -' .