Saturn 2009 ASTRA User Manual download pdf (Page 167)

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 on

page 8-17. 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.

Off-Road Recovery

The vehicle’s right wheels can drop

off the edge of a road onto the

shoulder while driving.

If the level of the shoulder is only

slightly below the pavement,

recovery should be fairly easy.

Ease off the accelerator and then, if

there is nothing in the way, steer so

that the vehicle straddles the edge

of the pavement. Turn the steering

wheel 3 to 5 inches, 8 to 13 cm,

(about one-eighth turn) until the right

front tire contacts the pavement

edge. Then turn the steering wheel to

go straight down the roadway.

Driving and Operating 8-21

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