Loss Of Control; Driving On Wet Roads - Chevrolet Enjoy Owner's Manual

LOSS OF CONTROL

SKIDDING
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three control
systems:
Braking Skid - wheels are not rolling.
Ÿ
Ÿ 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
Ÿ
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:
Ÿ 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
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 recognise
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 and Operating 8-5

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 be drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.