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Difficulty: MediumSkid Control and Recovery

While hauling a loaded trailer across a packed-snow highway, a driver begins to negotiate a gradual right-hand bend. The tractor's drive wheels suddenly lose traction, causing the rear end of the tractor to swing out toward the left side of the lane. Which sequence of actions should the driver immediately take to recover from this skid?

  1. A
    Steer sharply toward the right away from the slide and maintain engine acceleration to pull the combination unit straight.
  2. Release the accelerator, quickly steer toward the left in the direction of the slide, and counter-steer as the vehicle straightens.Answer
  3. C
    Activate the engine retarder to its highest setting to slow the drive axle independently of the steer tires.
  4. D
    Apply hard, steady service brake pressure throughout the curve to lock the sliding wheels and regain directional heading.

Answer

Release the accelerator, quickly steer toward the left in the direction of the slide, and counter-steer as the vehicle straightens.
To recover from a drive-wheel skid where the rear end slides to the left, the driver must immediately release the throttle so the wheels can regain rolling traction, steer quickly in the direction of the skid (to the left), and counter-steer as the vehicle begins to straighten out to avoid a secondary skid.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Remove foot from the accelerator pedal immediately.
Drive wheels stop spinning and can begin rolling freely to regain lateral grip.
Cutting power stops wheel spin caused by over-acceleration or reduced friction.
2
Turn the steering wheel quickly in the direction of the skid (to the left, toward the direction the rear is sliding).
The front wheels track with the sliding rear end, preventing the tractor from spinning out.
Aligning the steer tires with the vehicle's direction of movement restores directional control.
3
Counter-steer back in the intended direction of travel as soon as the vehicle starts to straighten.
The vehicle stabilizes in its lane rather than whipping into a secondary skid in the opposite direction.
Failing to straighten the wheels in time causes the vehicle to overshoot and snap into an uncontrollable reverse skid.

Key Concept

Drive-wheel skid recovery requires removing driving torque, steering into the skid direction, and counter-steering upon alignment.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Skid Control and Recovery

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