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.

Your vehicle has a steering system that continuously adjusts the effort you feel when steering at all vehicle speeds. It provides ease when parking, yet a firm, solid feel at highway speeds.

All-wheel-drive vehicles with the Active Steering with Enhanced StabiliTrak® option have an electronically controlled active steering system. The active steering system uses the steering actuator to automatically adjust the front road wheel turning angle based on vehicle speed and how much you turn the steering wheel. This system reduces steering effort at low speeds, improves steering feel at moderate speeds, and reduces steering sensitivity at higher speeds.

During some operating conditions, the active steering might deactivate to protect the system from damage. You might notice that the center position of the steering wheel is changed. Unless there is a SERVICE STEERING SYS message, the system will return to normal operation as soon as the condition ceases, usually within a very short period of time.

At low speeds, the active steering system requires less movement of the steering wheel to change vehicle direction than the normal power steering system. Adjust your driving accordingly.

When certain steering faults are present, the active steering deactivates and vehicle speed might be limited. The SERVICE STEERING SYS and SPEED LIMITED TO XXX messages will be displayed. See DIC Warnings and Messages . The normal power steering system is still operational. You might notice that the center position of the steering wheel is changed and that more steering effort at low speeds and less steering effort at high speeds is required. You can continue to drive your vehicle with normal power steering but you should have your dealer/retailer inspect the steering system as soon as possible in order to have the problem corrected and the steering wheel position centered.

When stability control activates, the system automatically adjusts the front road wheel steering angle, modifies the suspension stiffness, and selectively applies braking pressure at any one of the vehicle's brakes to help maintain directional control of the vehicle. Adjustments to the steering will not be felt in the steering wheel. See Enhanced StabiliTrak® .

It is recommended that the battery not be disconnected when the steering wheel is turned from the center position. If this occurs, the center position of the steering wheel could be temporarily changed a small amount. You can continue to operate your vehicle and, after a short time, the center position of the steering wheel will return to normal.

It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.

A lot of the "driver lost control" accidents mentioned on the news happen on curves. Here is 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 is no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.

Traction in a curve depends on the condition of the tires and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.

Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve. Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control systems -- steering and acceleration -- have to do their work where the tires meet the road. Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too much of those places. You can lose control. See Traction Control System (TCS) and StabiliTrak® System or Enhanced StabiliTrak® .

What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want it to go, and slow down.

Your stability system might be active. See DIC Warnings and Messages and StabiliTrak® System or Enhanced StabiliTrak® .

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 will want to go slower.

If you need to reduce speed when approaching a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while the front wheels are straight ahead.

Try to adjust the speed so you can drive 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.

To help you steer in the direction you want to go, during certain sharp or sudden cornering maneuvers, gear selection is controlled. This will maximize the available drive wheel torque and minimize the transmission response time and shift activity. During this kind of maneuver, the transmission shifts automatically as vehicle speed changes.

Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect your vehicle's performance. See Accessories and Modifications .

There are times when steering can be more effective than braking. For example, you come over a hill and find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these problems by braking -- if you can stop in time. But sometimes you cannot; there is not room. That is the time for evasive action -- steering around the problem.

Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply the brakes. See Braking . It is better to remove as much speed as you can from a possible collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left or right depending on the space available.

An emergency like this requires close attention and a quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o'clock positions, you can turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have avoided the object.

The fact that such emergency situations are always possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at all times and wear safety belts properly.