Passing; Loss Of Control - Pontiac 2009 Torrent Owner's Manual

Passing

Passing another vehicle on a two-lane road can be
dangerous. To reduce the risk of danger while passing:
•
Look down the road, to the sides, and to crossroads
for situations that might affect a successful pass.
If in doubt, wait.
•
Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and
lines that could indicate a turn or an intersection.
Never cross a solid or double-solid line on your side
of the lane.
•
Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to
pass. Doing so can reduce your visibility.
•
Wait your turn to pass a slow vehicle.
•
When you are being passed, ease to the right.

Loss of Control

Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not 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.
4-12
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 curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid only
the acceleration skid. If the traction system is off, then
an acceleration skid is best handled by easing your foot
off the accelerator pedal. See Traction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-7 and StabiliTrak
page 4-6.
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.
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System on