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:
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
Your satisfaction and goodwill are important to your dealer and to Chevrolet.
Normally, any concerns with the sales transaction or the operation of the vehicle
will be resolved by your dealer's sales or service departments. Sometimes, however,
despite the best intentions of all concerned, ...
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
Move the lever all the way up or down to signal a turn.
An arrow on the instrument cluster flashes in the direction of the turn or lane
change.
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to flash to signal a lane change.
Hold it there until the lane change is completed.
If the lever ...
Reclining Seatbacks
Warning
If either seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they are locked.
To recline the seatback:
Lift the lever.
Move the seatback to the desired p ...
