Passing; Loss Of Control - Pontiac 2009 Vibe 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.
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.
Driving and Operating
The three types of skids correspond
to your 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.
If your 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, your vehicle may
straighten out. Always be ready for
a second skid if it occurs.
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