1996 Buick Century Owner's Manual

Off-Road RecoveryYou may find sometime that your right wheels havedropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder whileyou’re driving.If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below thepavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off theaccelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way,steer so that your vehicle straddles the edge of thepavement. You can turn the steering wheel up toone-quarter turn until the right front tire contacts thepavement edge. Then turn your steering wheel to gostraight down the roadway.PassingThe driver of a vehicle about to pass another on atwo-lane highway waits for just the right moment,accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then goesback into the right lane again. A simple maneuver?Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lanehighway is a potentially dangerous move, since thepassing vehicle occupies the same lane as oncomingtraffic for several seconds. A miscalculation, an error injudgment, or a brief surrender to frustration or anger cansuddenly put the passing driver face to face with theworst of all traffic accidents -- the head-on collision.So here are some tips for passing:“Drive ahead.” Look down the road, to the sides andto crossroads for situations that might affect yourpassing patterns. If you have any doubt whatsoeverabout making a successful pass, wait for a better time.Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings and lines.If you can see a sign up ahead that might indicate aturn or an intersection, delay your pass. A brokencenter line usually indicates it’s all right to pass(providing the road ahead is clear). Never cross a solidline on your side of the lane or a double solid line,even if the road seems empty of approaching traffic.4-11