While driving on a wet road, your rear-wheel-drive vehicle's back end begins sliding toward the left side of the roadway. In what chronological sequence should you execute the following recovery steps to safely regain vehicle control?
- 1Ease your foot completely off the accelerator pedal without touching the brake pedal.
- 2Turn the steering wheel smoothly to the left in the direction the rear of the vehicle is sliding.
- 3Counter-steer gently as the vehicle begins to straighten out.
- 4Reapply light accelerator pressure once directional stability and traction are fully restored.
Answer
The correct sequence for recovering from a rear-wheel skid to the left is: 1) Ease off the accelerator without braking, 2) Steer to the left in the direction of the skid, 3) Counter-steer as the vehicle straightens, and 4) Reapply gentle accelerator pressure once stability is restored.
To recover from a rear-wheel skid (oversteer) where the rear slides left, the driver must first release the accelerator without braking to allow tire tread traction to reset. Next, steering to the left aligns the front tires with the skid path. As the car straightens, prompt counter-steering prevents a secondary fishtail. Finally, light accelerator input stabilizes momentum once control is re-established.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Rear-Wheel Oversteer Skid Recovery