Your anti-lock brake system (ABS) improves yourvehicle’s stability when you make a hard stop on aslippery road. Even though you have ABS, you willwant to begin stopping sooner than you would ondry pavement. See Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)on page 4-7.• Allow greater following distance on anyslippery road.• Watch for slippery spots. The road might befine until you hit a spot that is covered with ice.On an otherwise clear road, ice patches may appearin shaded areas where the sun cannot reach,such as around clumps of trees, behind buildings,or under bridges. Sometimes the surface of acurve or an overpass may remain icy when thesurrounding roads are clear. If you see a patchof ice ahead of you, brake before you are on it.Try not to brake while you are actually on the ice,and avoid sudden steering maneuvers.If You Are Caught in a BlizzardIf you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be ina serious situation. You should probably stay with yourvehicle unless you know for sure that you are nearhelp and you can hike through the snow. Here are somethings to do to summon help and keep yourself andyour passengers safe:• Turn on your hazard flashers.• Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police thatyou have been stopped by the snow.• Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you.If you do not have blankets or extra clothing, makebody insulators from newspapers, burlap bags,rags, floor mats — anything you can wrap aroundyourself or tuck under your clothing to keep warm.4-41
