Driving On Wet Roads - Chevrolet Captiva Owner's Manual

Slow down and adjust your driving
Ÿ
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.
Ÿ 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.

DRIVING ON WET ROADS

Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle
traction and affect your ability to stop
and accelerate. Always drive slower in
these types of driving conditions and
avoid driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or flowing water.
Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They
might not work as well in a quick
stop and could cause pulling to one
side. You could lose control of the
vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle
of water or a car/vehicle wash,
lightly apply the brake pedal until the
brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Driving and Operating 8-5
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can
build up under the vehicle's tires so they
actually ride on the water. This can
happen if the road is wet enough and
you are going fast enough. When the
vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or
no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
Allow extra following distance.
Ÿ
Ÿ Pass with caution.
Keep windshield wiping equipment
Ÿ
in good shape.
Keep the windshield washer fluid
Ÿ
reservoir filled.
Have good tires with proper tread
Ÿ
depth. See Tires on page 9-43.
Turn off cruise control.
Ÿ