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. These problems can be avoided by braking—if you can stop in time. But sometimes you cannot stop in time because there is no room. That is the time for evasive action—steering around the problem.
The vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply the brakes. See Braking . It is better to remove as much speed as possible from a 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 holding the steering wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o'clock positions, it can be turned 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.
See also:
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools
WARNING
Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment in the passenger compartment of the vehicle could cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose equipment could strike someone. Store all th ...
Headlamps on Reminder
If you leave the exterior lamp buttons for the headlamps
or parking lamps on, remove the key from the ignition
and open the driver’s door, you will hear a continuous
warning chime. The chime w ...
Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral).
The engine will not start in any other position.
To restart the engine when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
Notice: Do not tr ...