Black plate (6,1)Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV Owner Manual - 20119-6 Driving and OperatingThe fact that such emergencysituations are always possible is agood reason to practice defensivedriving at all times and wear safetybelts properly.Off-Road RecoveryThe vehicle's right wheels candrop off the edge of a road ontothe shoulder while driving.If the level of the shoulder isonly slightly below the pavement,recovery should be fairly easy.Ease off the accelerator and then,if there is nothing in the way, steerso that the vehicle straddles theedge of the pavement. Turn thesteering wheel 8 to 13 cm (3 to 5 in),about one-eighth turn, until the rightfront tire contacts the pavementedge. Then turn the steering wheelto go straight down the roadway.Loss of ControlLet us review what driving expertssay about what happens when thethree control systems — brakes,steering, and acceleration — do nothave enough friction where the tiresmeet the road to do what the driverhas asked.In any emergency, do not give up.Keep trying to steer and constantlyseek an escape route or area ofless danger.SkiddingIn a skid, a driver can lose control ofthe vehicle. Defensive drivers avoidmost skids by taking reasonablecare suited to existing conditions,and by not overdriving thoseconditions. But skids are alwayspossible.The three types of skids correspondto the vehicle's three controlsystems. In the braking skid, thewheels are not rolling. In thesteering or cornering skid, too muchspeed or steering in a curve causestires to slip and lose cornering force.And in the acceleration skid, toomuch throttle causes the drivingwheels to spin.If the vehicle starts to slide, easeyour foot off the accelerator pedaland quickly steer the way youwant the vehicle to go. If you startsteering quickly enough, the vehiclemay straighten out. Always be readyfor a second skid if it occurs.
