Oldsmobile 2001 Alero User Manual download pdf (Page 179)

4-12

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.

An emergency like this requires close attention and a

quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at

the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you can

turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing

either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and

just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have

avoided the object.

The fact that such emergency situations are always

possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving

at all times and wear safety belts properly.

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Oldsmobile 2001 Alero User Manual Page 179