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:
Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exha ...
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling ...
Digital Speedometer
The speedometer shows how fast
the vehicle is moving in either
kilometers per hour (km/h) or miles
per hour (mph). The speedometer
cannot be reset. ...