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. Refer to “Traction Control” in the Index.
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.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective than
braking. For example, you come over a hill and find a
truck stopped
in
your
lane,
or a car suddenly pulls out
from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked
cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these
problems by braking
--
if
you can stop in time. But
sometimes you can’t; there isn’t room. That’s the time
for evasive action
--
steering around the problem.
Your
vehicle can perform
very
well
in emergencies
like
these. First apply your brakes. (See “Braking in
Emergencies” earlier in this section.) It is better to
remove as much speed as you can from a possible
collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left
or right depending on the space available.
4-11
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