Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.Then you suddenly accelerate. Both controlsystems — steering and acceleration — have to dotheir work where the tires meet the road. Addingthe sudden acceleration can demand too much of thoseplaces. You can lose control. See StabiliTrak® Systemon page 4-8.What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up onthe accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way youwant it to go, and slow down.You may see the STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVEmessage on the message center. See “Stability SystemActive Message” under DIC Warnings and Messageson page 3-50.Speed limit signs near curves warn that you shouldadjust your speed. Of course, the posted speedsare based on good weather and road conditions. Underless favorable conditions you will want to go slower.If you need to reduce your speed as you approacha curve, do it before you enter the curve, while yourfront wheels are straight ahead.Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through thecurve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait toaccelerate until you are out of the curve, and thenaccelerate gently into the straightaway.Steering in EmergenciesThere are times when steering can be more effectivethan braking. For example, you come over a hill and finda truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pullsout from nowhere, or a child darts out from betweenparked cars and stops right in front of you. Youcan avoid these problems by braking — if you can stopin time. But sometimes you cannot; there is not room.That is the time for evasive action — steering aroundthe problem.Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies likethese. First apply your brakes.See Braking on page 4-5. It is better to remove as muchspeed as you can from a possible collision. Thensteer around the problem, to the left or right dependingon the space available.4-12
