Saturn 2007 Outlook, Owner'S Manual

Page: 326 / 538

Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control your
vehicle while driving — brakes, steering, and
accelerator. At times, as when driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control
systems than the tires and road can provide.
Meaning, you can lose control of your vehicle. See
StabiliTrak
®
System on page 329.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can
affect your vehicle’s performance. See Accessories
and Modifications on page 377.
Braking
See Brake System Warning Light on page 217.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time. First, you have to decide to push on
the brake pedal. That is perception time. Then
you have to bring up your foot and do it. That is
reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of
a second. But that is only an average. It might be
less with one driver and as long as two or
three seconds or more with another. Age, physical
condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight
all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs, and
frustration. But even in three-fourths of a second,
a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
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