loss
of
Control
Let's review what driving experts say
about
what
happens when the three
control system (brakes, steering and
acceleration) don't have enough friction
where
the
tires meet the road
to
do what
the driver has asked.
In
any emergency. don't 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.
The three types
of
skids correspond
to
your
Geo's three control systems.
In
the
braking skid your wheels are.n't 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.
A
cornering
skid
and an acceleration
skid
are
best
handled by easing your foot
off
the accelerator pedal.
If
your vehicle starts
to
slide, ease your
foot
011'
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. 41ways be
ready for
;I
sccond skid
if
it
occurs.
Of
course, traction is reduced when water,
snow. ice. gravel. or other material is on
the road. For safety, you'll want to slow
down and adjust your driving
to
these
conditions.
It
is
important
to
slow down
on slippery surfaces because stopping
distance will be longer
and
vehicle
control more limited.
While driving on
a
surface with reduced
traction.
try
your
best to avoid sudden
steering, acceleration,
or
braking
(including engine braking by shifting
EO
a
lower gear).
Any
sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You may
not
realize the surface is slippery
until
yout-
vehicle is skidding. Learn
to
recognize
warning clues
~
such
as
enough water,
ice or packed snow
on
the
road to make
;1
"nlir~-or.ed surf'rlce"
-
and
slow
down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: The rex-wheel anti-lock
braking system (RWAL) helps avoid
only
a
rear braking skid.
In
a
braking skid
(where the front wheels are
no
longer
rolling), release enough pressure
on
the
brakes
to
get the
front
wheels rolling
again. This restores steering control. Push
the brake pedal down steadily when you
have
to
stop suddenly. As long as the
I'ront wheels are rolling,
you
will have
sleering control.
Driving Guidelines
This multipurpose passenger vehicle
is
defined as a
utility
vehicle
in
Consumer
Information Regulations issued
by
the
National I-lighway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA)
of
the United
States Department of Transportation.
Utility vehicles have higher ground
clearance and a narrower track to make
them capable of performing
in
a wide
variety
of
off-road applications. Specific
design characteristics give them a higher
center of gravity than ordinary cars. An
advantage
of
the higher ground clearance
is
a
better view of the road allowing you
to anticipate problems. They are not
designed for cornering
at
the same speeds
as
conventional 2-wheel drive vehicles
any
no re
than low-slunl
7
.'p
'-,
orts cars are
designed
to
perform satisfitctorily under
off-road conditions.
If
at
all
possible,
avoid shurp turns or abrupt maneuvers.
107
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