assist be
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering
‘cause the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It’s
important
to
take curves at a reasonable speed.
A
lot
of the “driver
lost
control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here’s why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject
to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle
to
change
its
path when
you turn the front wheels. If there’s no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you’ve ever tried
to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll
understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While
you’re in a curve, speed
is
the one factor you can
control.
Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve. Then you
suddenly accelerate. Both control systems
-
steering
and acceleration
-
have
to
do their work where the tires
meet the road. Adding the sudden acceleration can
demand
too
much of those places.
You
can lose control.
See Stabilitrap System on page
4-9.
What should you do
if
this ever happens? Ease up
on
the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you
want it to go, and slow down.
If you have Stabilitrak@, you may see the STABILITY
SYS
ACTIVE message on the message center.
See “Stability System Active Message” under DIC
Warnings and Messages on page
3-56
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions. Under
less favorable conditions you’ll want to go slower.
If you need
to
reduce your speed as you approach a
curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try
to
adjust your speed
so
you can “drive” through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out
of
the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
4-1
2
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