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Question

Difficulty: HardIce and Snow Conditions

When approaching a sharp bend on a road covered with packed snow, what is the safest way to control your vehicle and negotiate the turn?

  1. A
    Brake gently while turning into the bend and hold the clutch pedal fully down to avoid stalling
  2. Reduce speed by braking progressively in a straight line before the bend, select a higher practical gear, and steer smoothly without harsh brakingAnswer
  3. C
    Downshift into first gear as you enter the bend and apply firm footbrake pressure to tighten your turning radius
  4. D
    Maintain normal cruising speed until reaching the apex of the bend, then brake sharply to adjust your line

Answer

Reduce speed by braking progressively in a straight line before the bend, select a higher practical gear, and steer smoothly without harsh braking
On snow-covered roads, tyre grip is significantly reduced. All braking must be done progressively in a straight line before turning the steering wheel. Driving at a slow speed in the highest practical gear suppresses excessive engine torque to the drive wheels, allowing the tyres to dedicate their grip to steering smoothly without sliding.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Assess the approach to the bend and complete all necessary deceleration well in advance while travelling in a straight line.
The vehicle slows down safely using tyre grip solely for braking rather than splitting grip between braking and steering.
Tyres have severely limited traction on packed snow; combining steering input with heavy braking quickly exceeds grip limits.
2
Select a suitable speed and engage the highest practical gear that avoids engine labouring.
Engine torque delivered to the driven wheels is moderated, preventing sudden wheelspin.
Low gears produce excessive torque at low speeds, which easily breaks tyre adhesion on low-friction surfaces.
3
Steer smoothly and progressively around the curve without harsh throttle or brake inputs.
Available tyre grip is preserved entirely for lateral cornering forces, keeping the car stable.
Abrupt steering movements or pedal inputs upset weight distribution and initiate skidding.

Key Concept

Safe vehicle handling, brake timing, and gear selection when cornering on snow and ice
Estimated Time:1m 15s
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Topics

Ice and Snow Conditions

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