Defensive Driving; Control Of A Vehicle; Braking; Steering - Cadillac XTS 2019 Owner's Manual

Defensive Driving

Defensive driving means always
expect the unexpected. The first step
in driving defensively is to wear the
seat belt. See Seat Belts 0 65.
Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other
drivers) are going to be careless
and make mistakes. Anticipate
what they might do and be ready.
Allow enough following distance
between you and the driver in
front of you.
Focus on the task of driving.

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.
DRIVING AND OPERATING

Steering

Electric Power Steering
If the vehicle has electric power
steering it does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance is
not required.
If power steering assist is lost due to a
system malfunction, the vehicle can
be steered, but may require increased
effort.
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is
held against that position for an
extended period of time, power
steering assist may be reduced.
If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time while the
vehicle is not moving, power assist
may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the system
cools down.
See your dealer if there is a problem.
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