Specifications
Steering
Power Steering
If
you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It’s
important
to
take curves at a reasonable speed.
A
lot
of
the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here’s why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject
to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it
possible for the vehicle
to
change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there’s no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you’ve ever tried
to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll
understand this.
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 braking
-
have
to
do their work where the tires meet
the road. Unless you have four-wheel anti-lock brakes,
adding the hard braking can demand
too
much of those
places. You can lose control.
The same thing can happen
if
you’re steering through
a
sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate. Those two
control systems
-
steering and acceleration -can
overwhelm those places where the tires meet the road
and make you lose control. See Enhanced Traction
System
(ETS)
on page
4-8.
What should you do
if
this ever happens? Ease up on
the brake or 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.
4-1
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