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Difficulty: HardSkidding Causes and Correction

On an unpaved country lane covered with loose gravel, you brake firmly before a sharp bend in a vehicle without anti-lock brakes (ABS). The front wheels lock up and the vehicle continues travelling straight ahead despite turning the steering wheel. What should you do immediately to regain steering control?

  1. A
    Press down harder on the footbrake while turning the steering wheel more sharply into the bend
  2. Release the footbrake smoothly so the front tyres can rotate and regain directional gripAnswer
  3. C
    Apply the parking brake firmly to lock the rear wheels and swing the car around the corner
  4. D
    Depress the clutch pedal fully while holding the steering wheel at maximum lock

Answer

Release the footbrake smoothly so the front tyres can rotate and regain directional grip
When front wheels lock under braking on a low-adhesion surface, they lose the lateral grip needed to steer. Releasing the footbrake allows the tyres to rotate freely again, restoring contact adhesion so the driver can steer in the intended direction.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the type of skid and mechanical cause
The front wheels have locked under heavy braking on loose gravel, resulting in understeer where the vehicle slides straight ahead.
Tyres that are locked and skidding across a loose surface cannot generate the lateral friction necessary to change direction.
2
Release pedal pressure to allow tyre rotation
Removing pressure from the footbrake lets the front wheels start turning again.
Rotating tyres can re-establish adhesion with the road surface and respond to steering inputs.
3
Guide the steering smoothly along the intended line of travel
The vehicle responds to steering angle and safely follows the curve.
Smooth steering inputs prevent secondary skids once directional traction is restored.

Key Concept

Front-wheel skid correction and understeer recovery in non-ABS vehicles
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Topics

Skidding Causes and Correction

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