four wheel drive CHEVROLET CAVALIER 2003 3.G Owners Manual

Remember: Anti-lock doesn't change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you get too close to the
vehicle in front of you, you won't have time to apply
your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even
though you have anti-lock brakes.
Using Anti-Lock
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
®rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel a
slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise, but
this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation
that requires hard braking.
If you have anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the
same time. However, if you don't have anti-lock,
your ®rst reaction Ð to hit the brake pedal hard and
hold it down Ð may be the wrong thing to do. Your
wheels can stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle can't
respond to your steering. Momentum will carry it in
whatever direction it was headed when the wheels
stopped rolling. That could be off the road, into the very
thing you were trying to avoid, or into traffic.If you don't have anti-lock, use a ªsqueezeº braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking while
maintaining steering control. You can do this by pushing
on the brake pedal with steadily increasing pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the
brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or
feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal.
This will help you retain steering control. If you
dohave
anti-lock, it's different. See ªAnti-Lock Brake Systemº
in this section.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
If your vehicle has the optional four-speed automatic
transaxle and anti-lock brakes, it also has an Enhanced
Traction System (ETS) that limits wheel spin. This is
especially useful in slippery road conditions. The system
operates only when the transaxle shift lever is in the
REVERSE (R), THIRD (3) or AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D) position and the system senses that
one or both of the front wheels are spinning or beginning
to lose traction. When this happens, the system
reduces engine power and may also upshift the
transaxle to limit wheel spin.
4-8

Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the ªdriver lost controlº accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here's why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you've ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll
understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While
you're in a curve, speed is the one factor you can
control.Suppose you're steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control
systems Ð steering and braking Ð have to do their work
where the tires meet the road. Unless you have
four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard braking can
demand too much of those places. You can lose
control.
The same thing can happen if you're steering through a
sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate. Those two
control systems Ð steering and acceleration Ð can
overwhelm those places where the tires meet the road
and make you lose control. SeeEnhanced Traction
System (ETS) on page 4-8.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on
the brake or accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way
you want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds
are based on good weather and road conditions. Under
less favorable conditions you'll want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a
curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can ªdriveº through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then
accelerate gently into the straightaway.
4-10

Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
(Four Door Models).....................................1-17
Skidding........................................................4-14
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips.......................4-18
Special Fabric Cleaning Problems.....................5-72
Speci®cations, Capacities.................................5-85
Speedometer..................................................3-23
Starter Switch Check.......................................6-21
Starting Your Engine...............................2-19, 2-20
Steering in Emergencies..................................4-11
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive
Axle Boot and Seal Inspection.......................6-23
Steering Tips..................................................4-10
Steering........................................................4-10
Storage Areas................................................2-35
Center Console Storage Area........................2-35
Convenience Net.........................................2-36
Cupholder(s)...............................................2-35
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools..........................5-68
Storing the Spare Tire and Tools.......................5-69
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-29
Sun Visors.....................................................2-14
Sunroof.........................................................2-36T
Tachometer....................................................3-23
Taillamps.......................................................5-48
Turn Signal Lamps......................................5-48
Theft-Deterrent, Radio.....................................3-76
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-15
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-15
Passlock
ž...................................................2-16
Throttle System Inspection...............................6-23
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-5
Tire In¯ation Check.........................................6-19
Tires.............................................................5-51
Buying New Tires........................................5-55
Chains.......................................................5-59
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-61
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-70
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-60
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure...............................5-52
Inspection and Rotation................................5-53
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-56
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-57
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-57
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-54
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