Driver Guide

NIGHT DRIVING
Driving at night is more difficult than driving during the day.  Headlights do 
not let you see as far ahead as you can in daylight, limit your view of the 
sides of the road.  The glare of oncoming headlights makes seeing the road 
more difficult.
For driving at night, you should:
•   Make sure your windows are clean.
•    Turn your headlights on from ½ hour after sunset until ½ hour before sunrise.
•    Make sure your headlights are clean and working well.  Have them 
checked from time to time for correct aim.
•    Use your high beams when there are no oncoming vehicles.
•    Do not overdrive your headlights.  Your headlights only let you see about 350 
feet ahead.  Be sure you are driving slow enough to stop or turn if needed.
•    Use your low beams when you come within 500 feet (about one block) of 
an oncoming vehicle.  Also use your low beams when following another 
vehicle within 300 feet.
•    Slow down when nearing a curve if you are driving the maximum posted 
speed limit.
•    Use the edgeline as a guide.  If there is no edgeline, use the center line 
to guide you.
•   Stay awake and alert.  Do not drive if you feel tired.
•   Watch carefully for highway signs as they are harder to see at night.
•   Watch carefully for people and vehicles stopped on the side of the road.
HEADLIGHT USE
You must use your headlights any time weather conditions require the use 
of your windshield wipers.
WINTER DRIVING
In winter, clean all snow and ice off your windows, headlights, and taillights. 
Be sure your windshield wipers and defroster are working. No matter how 
far you are going to drive, never start driving until all snow and ice is off 
your windows.
Your vehicle should have tires that are rated for driving in snow. If you do 
not have tires that are rated for driving in snow, you should have chains 
ready to put on your tires during bad weather. But even if you have “snow” 
tires or chains, you cannot drive safely on snow or ice at normal speeds. If 
there is snow or ice on the road, slow down and do not use your vehicle’s 
cruise control system.
72
CHAPTER 9 — SAFE DRIVING TIPS FOR 
SPECIAL DRIVING CONDITIONS

---

73
When starting on snow or ice, start slowly and smoothly.  If your tires start 
to spin, try clearing a path by driving backwards and forwards a few times.  
If that does not help, spread some abrasive material like salt, sand, or cat 
box litter around your wheels.  NEVER let anyone stand in line with your 
wheels.  Your wheels may throw up gravel or ice and cause an injury.
Once you have started, try to get the feel of the road.  Gently brake while 
driving to see how slippery the road is and then adjust your speed for the 
road conditions.
It will take longer to stop your vehicle when driving on snow or ice.  So be 
sure to leave a safe distance, about 8 to 10 seconds, between your vehicle 
and any vehicle ahead of you.
When you want to slow down or stop, apply the brakes gently and 
smoothly.  Never slam on your brakes — this may cause you to skid.  On 
very slippery surfaces, pump the brakes by gently pushing down and letting 
up on them several times.  If your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock 
brake system, refer to your owner’s manual for proper braking techniques 
in special situations.
Remember that bridges and overpasses will freeze and become slippery 
before other parts of the road, and be aware that even on cleared roads a 
few ice patches may still exist.
If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, DO NOT use the four-wheel drive on 
ice.  Four-wheel drive vehicles can easily overturn on ice.  If you hit an icy 
patch in four-wheel drive, take your foot off the accelerator.
Remember, Ice and Snow. . . . Take it slow!
WET PAVEMENT
When it starts to rain, water mixes with the dust and oil on the road to form 
a slick, greasy film.  Fallen leaves can also become slippery.  The wet 
pavement may make it harder for you to stay on the road on curves.  It will 
also take longer to stop your vehicle.  So be sure to slow your speed and 
leave a safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.  
Do not use your vehicle’s cruise control system on wet pavement.  The 
cruise control system will continue to provide power to the tires if you lose 
traction and may cause you to lose control.
HYDROPLANING — On wet pavement, your tires may ride on the water 
rather than the pavement.  This is known as “hydroplaning” and it refers to 
loss of traction and control.  Hydroplaning can happen at any speed over 
35 mph.  In a severe rainstorm, the tires can lose all contact with the road 
at 55 mph.
If you think your tires are hydroplaning, take your foot off the accelerator 
and slow down.  Do not hit the brakes as this may cause you to skid.
To avoid hydroplaning:
•   Have good tires with deep treads on your vehicle.
•   Keep tires properly inflated.
•   Slow down during rainstorms or when the pavement is wet. 
•  Do not use your vehicle’s cruise control system.

---

74
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)
Four-wheel ABS is a safe, effective braking system when used properly.  
It offers an important safety advantage by preventing the wheels from 
locking during emergency braking situations.  If your car is equipped with 
ABS, you should be aware that under hard braking you may feel a pulsing 
in the brake pedal.  DO KEEP your foot on the brake.  Maintain a firm 
and continuous pressure on the brake while steering to enable the four-
wheel ABS to work properly.  Remember, if your vehicle is equipped with 
anti-lock brakes DON’T PUMP YOUR BRAKES, DON’T FORGET TO 
STEER, AND DON’T BE ALARMED BY MECHANICAL NOISES AND/
OR SLIGHT PEDAL PULSATIONS.  These conditions are normal and let 
you know the ABS is working.
SKIDDING
Handling a skid is the same for front-wheel and rear-wheel drive vehicles.  
Take your foot off the accelerator, but DO NOT hit the brakes.
•    Gently turn your steering wheel in the direction that your rear wheels are 
sliding.
•    Be careful not to brake or turn sharply.  Hitting the brakes or jerking the 
steering wheel will only make the skid worse.
STEER INTO THE SKID
1.  BEFORE 
2. REAR 
3.  TURN 
4.  VEHICLE 
  SKID 
 WHEELS 
  FRONT 
  STRAIGHT 
   
 SLIDE 
  WHEELS 
  AGAIN 
 
 
  TO RIGHT 
  TO RIGHT
FOG
It is very dangerous to drive in fog.  If you must drive in fog, you should:
•   Reduce your speed.
•   Be alert and ready to stop.
•    Keep your headlights on low beam.  In fog, you will see less if your 
lights are on high beam.
•    If the fog becomes so thick you cannot see, pull off the road and stop. 
Leave your lights and emergency flashers ON.
HANDLING VEHICLE EMERGENCIES
The most important rule in any emergency is DO NOT PANIC.  If you stay 
calm, you will remember what you should do.  If you have power steering 
or a locking steering wheel, never turn off the ignition key until you have 
come to a full stop.

---