Control Of A Vehicle; Braking; Steering - Cadillac CTS Owner's Manual

9-4 Driving and Operating

Control of a Vehicle

Braking, steering, and accelerating
are important factors in helping to
control a vehicle while driving.

Braking

Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding to
push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is
about three-quarters of a second. In
that time, a vehicle moving at
100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m
(66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind
include:
Keep enough distance between
.
you and the vehicle in front
of you.
Avoid needless heavy braking.
.
Keep pace with traffic.
.
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the
engine stops, there will be some
power brake assist but it will be
used when the brake is applied.
Once the power assist is used up,
it can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.

Steering

Hydraulic Power Steering
Your vehicle has hydraulic
power steering. It may require
maintenance. See Power Steering
Fluid on page 10 26.
If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort.
See your dealer if there is a
problem.
Curve Tips
Take curves at a reasonable
.
speed.
Reduce speed before entering a
.
curve.
Maintain a reasonable steady
.
speed through the curve.
Wait until the vehicle is out of
.
the curve before accelerating
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
There are some situations when
.
steering around a problem may
be more effective than braking.
Holding both sides of the
.
steering wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
The Antilock Brake System
.
(ABS) allows steering while
braking.