Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because 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 apply the brakes. Both control systems
--
steering
and braking
--
have to do their
work
where the tires meet
the road. Unless you have four-wheel anti-lock brakes,
adding the hard braking can demand too much of those
places. You can lose control.
The same thing can happen
if
you’re steering through a
sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate. Those two
control systems
--
steering and acceleration
--
can
overwhelm those places where the tires meet the road
and make you lose control.
What should
you
do if this ever happens? Ease up on the
brake or accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way
you
want
it
to
go, and
slow
down.
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.
4-10
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