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Difficulty: MediumSkidding Causes and Prevention

You are driving on a wet road and approaching a sharp bend. What should you do to reduce the risk of your vehicle skidding?

  1. A
    Brake firmly while turning the steering wheel to keep weight over the front tyres
  2. B
    Press the clutch pedal down and coast around the bend to remove engine drag
  3. Slow down smoothly and select the appropriate gear before you start to turnAnswer
  4. D
    Maintain your normal dry-road approach speed and steer sharply into the bend

Answer

Slow down smoothly and select the appropriate gear before beginning to turn into the bend.
To prevent a skid when negotiating a bend on a wet surface, all deceleration and gear selection should be completed in a straight line prior to turning. This leaves the tyres' friction capacity dedicated entirely to steering through the curve.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Assess the upcoming hazard and adjust approach speed on the straight approach.
Vehicle speed is brought down safely using progressive braking while traveling in a straight line.
Tyres have maximum longitudinal grip when travelling straight, allowing safe deceleration without lateral forces causing a slide.
2
Engage the correct gear for the corner before turning the steering wheel.
Engine braking and smooth power delivery are available throughout the corner without needing mid-turn gear changes.
Separating braking and gear changes from steering preserves tyre grip exclusively for cornering forces.

Key Concept

Separation of braking and steering forces to maintain tyre adhesion on slippery surfaces
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Topics

Skidding Causes and Prevention

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