Chevrolet Sonic Owner's Manual: Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that correspond to the vehicle's three control systems:
- Braking Skid — wheels are not rolling.
- Steering or Cornering Skid — too much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force.
- Acceleration Skid — too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving those conditions. But skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow these suggestions:
- Ease your foot off the accelerator pedal and steer the way you want the vehicle to go. The vehicle may straighten out. Be ready for a second skid if it occurs.
- Slow down and adjust your driving according to weather conditions. Stopping distance can be longer and vehicle control can be affected when traction is reduced by water, snow, ice, gravel, or other material on the road. Learn to recognize warning clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow down when you have any doubt.
- Try to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid only the braking skid.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop off the edge of a road onto the shoulder
while driving. Follow these tips:
1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer the ...
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction and affect your ability to stop
and accelerate. Always drive slower in these types of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and ...
Other materials:
Passenger Sensing System
United States
Canada
The passenger sensing system turns off the front outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag (if equipped) under certain conditions. No other airbag is affected
by the passenger sensing system. See Passenger Sensing System for important
information.
The ...
Engine Oil Change
When a %CHANGE message displays
in the DIC, have the engine oil and filter changed within the next 1 000 km/600
mi. If driven under the best conditions, the engine oil life system might not indicate
the need for vehicle service for more than a year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed ...
Crankshaft Front Oil Seal Installation
Special Tools
EN-6351 Mounting Sleeves
For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools.
Clean the sealing surfaces.
Slide the EN-6351 sleeves (2) protective sleeve onto the crankshaft
journal.
Slide the crankshaft front oil seal (1) over the protective sleev ...
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