While traveling on a shaded straightaway, your vehicle hits a patch of black ice, causing the rear tires to lose traction and slide toward the right shoulder (oversteer). As you turn the steering wheel to the right to correct the skid, the rear tires suddenly regain traction on dry pavement, creating a strong risk of a secondary skid (counter-skid) to the left. What is the correct physical input sequence to maintain vehicle control throughout this transition?
- Smoothly ease off the pedals, steer in the direction of the rear slide, and dynamically center the steering wheel as momentum stabilizes to prevent a secondary skid.Answer
- BSlam firmly on the brake pedal while holding the steering wheel turned sharply to the right until the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
- CSteer sharply to the left away from the slide direction while maintaining steady accelerator pressure to pull the vehicle straight.
- DDepress the accelerator moderately while shifting into neutral to force rear-wheel traction recovery.
Answer
The correct action is to smoothly ease off all foot pedals, steer toward the direction the rear end is sliding, and rapidly center the steering wheel as traction recovers to prevent counter-skidding.
When recovering from a rear-wheel skid (oversteer), steering toward the direction of the slide aligns the front wheels with the path of momentum. As traction returns, the driver must quickly unwind the steering wheel back to the straight-ahead position. Failing to straighten the wheel at the moment of traction recovery results in a secondary skid (fishtailing) in the opposite direction.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Secondary Skid (Counter-Skid) Prevention during Oversteer Recovery
Estimated Time:2m 0s