Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough
friction where the tires meet the road to do what the
driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not 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 overdriving 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 are not 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 is best handled by easing your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid
only the acceleration skid. If your traction system is
off, then an acceleration skid is also best handled
by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 241
andStabiliTrak
®System on page 244.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot
off the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way
you want the vehicle to go. If you start steering
quickly enough, your vehicle may straighten
out. Always be ready for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other material is on the
road. For safety, you will 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.
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The trailer tongue weight (A) should be 10 percent
to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (B),
up to a maximum of 500 lbs (227 kg) with a weight
carrying hitch or a weight distributing hitch.
Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue
weight for your vehicle. Choose the shortest hitch
extension that will position the hitch ball closest
to the vehicle. This will help reduce the effect
of trailer tongue weight on the rear axle.Your spare tire carrier is behind the tailgate.
If your hitch extension is too short, the spare
tire may interfere with trailer coupling or trailer
tongue jack operation on some types of trailers.
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the
trailer and then the tongue, separately, to see if
the weights are proper. If they aren’t, you may be
able to get them right simply by moving some
items around in the trailer.Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are in ated to the
upper limit for cold tires. You’ll nd these numbers
on the Certi cation/Tire Label located on the
B-pillar below the door latch or seeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 289. Then be sure you don’t
go over the GVW limit for your vehicle, or
the GAWR, including the weight of the trailer
tongue. If you use a weight distributing hitch, make
sure you don’t go over the rear axle limit before
you apply the weight distribution spring bars.
300
Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is molded into the
sidewall. The following illustrations are examples
of a typical P-Metric and a LT-Metric tire sidewall.(A) Tire Size:The tire size code is a combination
of letters and numbers used to de ne a particular
tire’s width, height, aspect ratio, construction
type, and service description. See the “Tire Size”
illustration later in this section for more detail.
(B) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria
Speci cation):Original equipment tires designed
to GM’s speci c tire performance criteria have
a TPC speci cation code molded onto the sidewall.
GM’s TPC speci cations meet or exceed all
federal safety guidelines.
(C) DOT (Department of Transportation):
The Department of Transportation (DOT) code
indicates that the tire is in compliance with the
U.S. Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards.
(D) Tire Identi cation Number (TIN):The letters
and numbers following DOT code are the Tire
Identi cation Number (TIN). The TIN shows
the manufacturer and plant code, tire size, and
date the tire was manufactured. The TIN is molded
onto both sides of the tire, although only one
side may have the date of manufacture.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
368
(E) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and
number of plies in the sidewall and under
the tread.
(F) Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG):
Tire manufacturers are required to grade
tires based on three performance factors:
treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance.
For more information, seeUniform Tire Quality
Grading on page 386.
(G) Maximum Cold In ation Load Limit:
Maximum load that can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed to support that load.
For information on recommended tire pressure
seeIn ation - Tire Pressure on page 375
andLoading Your Vehicle on page 289.
(A) Tire Size:The tire size code is a combination
of letters and numbers used to de ne a particular
tire’s width, height, aspect ratio, construction
type, and service description. See the “Tire Size”
illustration later in this section for more detail.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire
369