1999 GMC C-SERIES steering

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4-11 Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and
find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls
out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can
avoid these problems by braking
-- if you can stop in
time. But sometimes you can't; there isn't room. That's
the time for evasive action
-- steering around
the problem.
In emergencies like these, first apply your brakes
-- but
unless you have anti
-lock, not enough to lock your
wheels. (See ªBraking in Emergenciesº earlier in this
section.) It is better to remove as much speed as you can
from a possible collision. Then steer around the
problem, to the left or right depending on the space
available. If your vehicle has anti
-lock brakes, you don't
need to release the brakes to maintain steering control.
An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o'clock positions, you may be
able to turn it just enough to miss the object without
removing either hand. But you must act fast, steering
precisely. The more sharply you turn, the greater the
chance of a skid, a rollover or a ªjackknifeº with a
tractor
-trailer. Just as quickly straighten the wheel once
you have avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at
all times and wear safety belts properly.
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4-12
Off-Road Recovery
You may find that your right wheels have dropped off the
edge of a road onto the shoulder while you're driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the
pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the
accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer so
that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement. You
can turn the steering wheel up to one
-quarter turn until the
right front tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn your
steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Passing
The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a
two
-lane highway waits for just the right moment,
accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then goes
back into the right lane again. A simple maneuver?
Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two
-lane
highway is a potentially dangerous move, since the
passing vehicle occupies the same lane as oncoming
traffic for several seconds. A miscalculation, an error in
judgment, or a brief surrender to frustration or anger can
suddenly put the passing driver face to face with the
worst of all traffic accidents
-- the head-on collision.
So here are some tips for passing:

A vehicle like yours takes a longer time to reach
passing speed, so you'll need a longer stretch of clear
road ahead than you would with a passenger car.

ªDrive ahead.º Look down the road, to the sides and to
crossroads for situations that might affect your passing
patterns. If you have any doubt whatsoever about
making a successful pass, wait for a better time.
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4-14
Loss of Control
Let's review what driving experts say about what
happens when 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 of less danger.
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 ªoverdrivingº
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle'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 a curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are
usually best handled by easing your foot off the
accelerator pedal.Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear). See ªDiesel Engine Exhaust Brakeº in the Index
for information about using the exhaust brake on
slippery surfaces. Any sudden changes could cause the
tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize
warning clues
-- such as enough water, ice or packed
snow on the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº
-- and
slow down when you have any doubt.
If you have the anti
-lock braking system, remember: It
helps avoid only the braking skid. If you do not have
anti
-lock, then in a braking skid (where the wheels are
no longer rolling), release enough pressure on the brakes
to get the wheels rolling again. This restores steering
control. Push the brake pedal down steadily when you
have to stop suddenly. As long as the wheels are rolling,
you will have steering control.
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4-26
Remember, unless you have anti-lock, if you brake so
hard that your wheels stop rolling, you'll just slide.
Brake so your wheels always keep rolling and you can
still steer.

Whatever your braking system, allow greater
following distance on any slippery road.

Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine
until you hit a spot that's covered with ice. On an
otherwise clear road, ice patches may appear in
shaded areas where the sun can't reach: around
clumps of trees, behind buildings or under bridges.
Sometimes the surface of a curve or an overpass may
remain icy when the surrounding roads are clear. If
you see a patch of ice ahead of you, brake before you
are on it. Try not to brake while you're actually on
the ice, and avoid sudden steering maneuvers.If You're Caught in a Blizzard
If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in a
serious situation. You should probably stay with your
vehicle unless you know for sure that you are near help
and you can hike through the snow. Here are some
things to do to summon help and keep yourself and your
passengers safe:

Turn on your hazard flashers.
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5-2
Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off.
The hazard flasher switch is located on the
steering column.
Press the button in to make your front and rear turn
signal lamps flash on and off.
Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key isn't in.
To turn off the flashers, pull out on the collar. When
the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn signals
won't work.
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5-3 Hazard Warning Flasher Switch
(If Equipped)
With some options, such as U86-trailer wiring or
RQ3
-tractor application, you will have this switch.
This switch replaces the hazard switch mounted on the
steering column. It is mounted in the instrument panel,
usually to the left of and below the steering column.
Pull the switch out to make your front and rear turn
signal lamps flash on and off. A light next to the switch
will also flash. Push it back in to turn off the flashers.
The turn signal lamps won't flash if you're braking.
This switch works no matter what position the key is in,
and even if the key isn't in the ignition.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn
signals won't work.
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5-14
After Towing
Block the rear wheels and install axle and propeller
shafts. Check for proper phasing of universal joints.
Apply the emergency brake system before disconnecting
from the towing vehicle. Check and fill the rear axle
with oil as required.
Towing Your Vehicle From the Front
(All Wheels On the Ground)
Your vehicle may be towed on all wheels provided the
steering is working. Remember that the power brakes
and power steering will not have power assist. Vehicles
with air brakes will not have brakes. There must be a
tow bar installed between the towing vehicle and the
disabled vehicle.
Before Towing
Block the wheels of the disabled vehicle. On vehicles
with air brakes, release the emergency brake system by
compressing the brake chamber springs as outlined in
this section. (Note: This is to prevent the possibility of
the emergency brake being applied during towing.)On vehicles with hydraulic brakes, release the
parking brake fully by moving the lever to the
fully
-released position.
On vehicles equipped with an electric/hydraulic parking
brake, remove the propshaft.
Disconnect the propshaft at the rear axle (forward axle
on tandem axle models). Secure the propshaft to the
frame or crossmember.
If there is damage or suspected damage to the axle(s),
remove the axle shafts. Cover the hub openings to
prevent the loss of lubricant or entry of dirt or
foreign objects.
After Towing
Block the rear wheels and install axle and propshafts.
Check for proper phasing of universal joints. Apply
the parking brake system before disconnecting from
the towing vehicle. Check and fill rear axle with oil
as required.
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5-15 Towing Your Vehicle From the Rear
(Rear Wheels Off the Ground)
Before Towing
Secure the steering wheel to maintain a straight
-ahead
position. Make certain that the front axle is not loaded
above the front axle Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
as indicated on the vehicle's Certification/Tire label.
After Towing
Block the rear wheels and release the steering. Apply the
parking brake system before disconnecting from the
towing vehicle.
Refer to the transmission shift label for
additional information.
Releasing Air-Operated Parking Brakes
If your vehicle has air brakes, you could have a special
towing problem. If your vehicle has to be towed because
you had a complete loss of air pressure from both
systems, the parking brakes may have applied. The tow
operator can release the brakes manually by using the
following steps. Then your vehicle can be towed with all
wheels or just the rear wheels on the ground.
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