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:
Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not need regularly scheduled maintenance or replacement.
Make sure the airbag readiness light is working. See Airbag Readiness Light.
Caution
If an airbag covering is damaged, opened, or broken, the airbag may not work
properly. Do not open or break the airbag coverings. ...
Radio/Audio System Description and Operation
The entertainment system on this vehicle may have several different configurations
available to it. To determine the specific configuration of the vehicle, please
see the Service Parts ID Label, and refer to RPO Code List.
Each item in the list below represents topics covered in detail below. ...
SIR Service Precautions
General Service Instructions
Warning: When performing service on or near the SIR components
or the SIR wiring, the SIR system must be disabled. Refer to SIR Disabling
and Enabling . Failure to observe the correct procedure could cause deployment
of the SIR components, person ...
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