Buick Encore: Driving Information / 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.
The vehicle's right wheels can drop off the
edge of a road onto the shoulder while
driving. Follow these tips:
Ease off the accelerator and then,
if there is nothing in the way, steer the
vehicle so that it straddles the edge of
the pavement...
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 deep-standing or
flowing water...
Other information:
If equipped, the FCA system may help to
avoid or reduce the harm caused by
front-end crashes. When approaching a
vehicle ahead too quickly, FCA provides a
red flashing alert on the windshield and
rapidly beeps.
FCA detects vehicles within a distance of
approximately 60 m (197 ft) and operates at
speeds above 40 km/h (25 mph)...
Messages displayed on the DIC indicate the
status of the vehicle or some action that
may be needed to correct a condition.
Multiple messages may appear one after
another.
The messages that do not require
immediate action can be acknowledged and
cleared by pressing SET/CLR...