Chevrolet Spark Owners 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:
Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer
...
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:
Rear Seats
Folding the Seatback
Either side of the seatback can be folded down for more cargo space.
Fold a seatback only when the vehicle is not moving.
Caution
Folding a rear seat with the safety belts still fastened may cause
damage to the seat or the safety belts. Always unbuckle the safety belts and ...
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning
sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be heard all the time when the vehicle is moving,
except when applying the brake pedal firmly.
Warning
The brake wear warning ...
When It Is Time for New Tires
Factors such as maintenance, temperatures, driving speeds, vehicle loading, and
road conditions affect the wear rate of the tires.
Treadwear indicators are one way to tell when it is time for new tires.
Treadwear indicators appear when the tires have only 1.6mm (1/16 in) or less
of tread r ...
