Loss Of Control - Chevrolet 2011 Impala Owner's Manual

9-6 Driving and Operating
Ease off the accelerator and
then, if there is nothing in the
way, steer so that the vehicle
straddles the edge of the pavement.
Turn the steering wheel 8 to 13 cm
(3 to 5 in), about one-eighth turn,
until the right front tire contacts
the pavement edge. Then turn the
steering wheel to go straight down
the roadway.

Loss of Control

Let us review what driving experts
say about what happens when the
three control systems
steering, and acceleration
have enough friction where the tires
meet the road to do what the driver
has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up.
Keep trying to steer and constantly
seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose
control of the vehicle. Defensive
drivers avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing
conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are
always possible.
The three types of skids
correspond to the vehicle's three
control systems. In the braking
skid, the wheels are not rolling.
In the steering or cornering skid,
too much speed or steering in a
brakes,
curve causes tires to slip and
do not
lose cornering force. And in the
acceleration skid, too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.
If the vehicle starts to slide, ease
your foot off the accelerator pedal
and quickly steer the way you
want the vehicle to go. If you start
steering quickly enough, the vehicle
may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when
water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material is on the road. For safety,
slow down and adjust your driving
to these conditions. It is important
to slow down on slippery surfaces
because stopping distance will be
longer and vehicle control more
limited.