Skidding
There are three types of skids that correspond to the vehicle's three control systems:
- Braking Skid — wheels are not rolling.
- Steering or Cornering Skid — too much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force.
- Acceleration Skid — too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving those conditions. But skids are always possible. If the vehicle starts to slide, follow these suggestions:
- Ease your foot off the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to go. The vehicle may straighten out. Be ready for a second skid if it occurs.
- Slow down and adjust your driving according to weather conditions. Stopping distance can be longer and vehicle control can be affected when traction is reduced by water, snow, ice, gravel, or other material on the road. Learn to recognize 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.
- Try to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid only the braking skid.
See also:
Transmission
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
Driver Shift Control (DSC) allows you to shift an automatic transmission
similar to a manual transmission. To use the DSC feature:
1. Move the shift lever to the left ...
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
The instrument panel fuse block access door is located on the driver side edge
of the instrument panel.
Pull off the cover to access the fuse block.
The vehicle may not be equipped with all of ...
Cruise Control
WARNING
Cruise control can be dangerous where you cannot drive safely at a steady
speed. So, do not use the cruise control on winding roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on ...