1994 Oldsmobile Achieva Owner's Manual - Page 133

pass. A broken centerline usually indicates it's all right to pass (providing the road ahead is clear). Never cross a solid line on your side of the lane or a double solid line, even if the road seems empty of approaching traffic. Do not get too close to thevehicle you want to pass while you're awaiting an opportunity.For one thing, following too closely reduces your area of vision, especially if you're following a larger vehicle. Also, you won't have adequate spaceif the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable distance. When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up, start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don'tget too close. Time your move so you will be increasing speed as the time comes to move into the other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a "running start" thatmore than makes up for the distance you would lose by dropping back.And if something happens to causeyou to cancel your pass, you need only slow down and drop back again and wait for another opportunity. If other cars are lined up topass a slow vehicle,wait your turn. But take care that someone isn't trying to pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle. Remember to glance over your shoulder and check the blind spot. Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and start your left lane change signal before moving out of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal and move back into theright lane. (Remember that your right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle you just passed may seem to be farther away from youthan itreally is.) Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the next vehicle. Don't overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly. Even though the brake lights are not flashing, it may be slowing down or starting to turn. If you're being passed, make it easy for the following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you can ease alittle to the right. Loss of Control Let's review what driving experts say about what happenswhen the three control systems (brakes, steering and acceleration) don't have enough friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked. In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek an escape route or area less danger. of Skidding In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by not "overdriving" those conditions. But skids are always possible. The threetypes of skids correspond to your Oldsmobile's three control systems. In the braking skid your wheels aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much speed or steering in acurve causes tires to slip 131