Skid Recovery

Your vehicle can skid in any weather and with any road conditions. This is true even on dry pavement. Typically, excessive speed for existing road conditions is the chief cause. Overly sharp, jerky turns on slick roads can also throw you into a skid. Basically, when your vehicle skids, your tires have completely lost their grip on the road.

You will know when you are skidding. Your brakes will feel like they don’t work and you’ll feel like you are sliding, not driving. As with any time you are on slick roads, ease up on the gas and do not apply the brakes. Let the vehicle slow down on its own until you feel you have regained control. From there continue along with your trip, lowering your speed for the road conditions. As with any emergency, quickly gather your composure and stay calm, but focused.

With a more serious skid, you may feel the back end of your vehicle swing out to one side. Should this happen, consider your options:

• With a rear wheel drive vehicle, let up on the gas and let the vehicle slow on its own. If the back end slides out, steer in the direction of the skid.
• When the vehicle begins to straighten out, counter steer – steer in the opposite direction. Continue to steer and counter steer until you feel that you’ve regained control and the vehicle straightens out.
• If your vehicle is front wheel drive, accelerate a bit if you feel your back end sliding to the side. Perform the steer/counter steer process as needed.
• If you are tight on space, shift your vehicle into neutral and perform the steer/counter steer move as needed. With a manual transmission, firmly press down on the clutch before steering/counter steering.