Steering
Power Steering
If
you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system
is
not fi~nctioning,
you
can steer but
it
will
take much more effort.
Speed Sensitive Steering
This
system varies the amount
of
steering effort
proportionate to your vehicle speed. Steering is easier
at
lower speeds
for
lnaneuvering and parking ease.
As
your
vehicle speed increases,
the
steering effort also
increases. At highway speeds, the amount
of
steering
effort
is
increased for vehicle control and stability.
Steering Tips
Driving
on
Curves
It’s important to take curves at
a
reasonable speed.
A
lot of the “driver lost control“ accidents lnentioned 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
lnuch
of
those places. You can lose control.
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.
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.
4-9
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