1997 Pontiac Firebird Owner's Manual - Page 176

A lot of the "driver lostcontrol" accidents mentioned on the news happen on curves. Here's why: Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The traction of the tires against the road surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If you've ever tried to steer a vehicle onwet ice, you'llunderstand this. The traction you can get a curve depends on the in 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, speedis the one factor you can control. Suppose you're steering through a sharp curve. Then you based on good weather and road conditions. Under less favorable conditions you'll want to go slower. 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. Try to adjust your speed so you can "drive" through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerate until you are outof the curve, and then accelerate gently into the straightaway. Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering canbe more effective than braking. For example, you come over a hill and find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls suddenly accelerate. Both control systems steering and -acceleration -- have to do their work where the tires meet the road. Unless you have traction control and the system is on, adding the sudden acceleration can demand too much of those places. You can lose control. What should you do if this ever happens? Ease on the up accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle way you want it the to go, and slow down. Speed limitsigns near curves warn that you should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are out fromnowhere, or a child darts out from between parked cars and stops right in frontof you. You can avoid these problems by braking -- if you can stop in time. Butsometimes you can't; there isn'troom. That's the time for evasive action -- steering around the problem. Your Pontiac can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply your brakes. (See "Braking in Emergencies" earlier in this section.) It is better to remove as much speed as you can froma possible collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left or right depending on the space available. 4-11