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:
Hazard Warning Flashers
(Hazard Warning Flasher): Press
and momentarily hold this button to make the front and rear turn signal lamps flash
on and off. This warns others that you are having trouble. Press and momentarily
hold again to turn the flashers off. ...
Air Vents
Use the air vents located in the center and on the side of the instrument panel
to direct the airflow. Move the slats on the center air vents to direct airflow.
Turn the knobs on the side air vents counterclockwise or clockwise to open or
close off the airflow.
Operation Tips
Clear away an ...
SIR Inflator Module Handling and Storage Warning
Warning: When carrying an undeployed inflator module:
Do not carry the inflator module by the wires or connector.
Make sure the air bag opening points away from you.
When storing an undeployed inflator module:
Make sure the air bag opening points away from the surface o ...
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