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Question

Difficulty: HardIce and Snow Conditions

While driving on a road affected by compacted ice, the rear of your vehicle breaks traction and begins sliding out towards the right. In what sequence should you carry out the following actions to safely regain control and stabilise the vehicle?

  1. 1Smoothly ease off the accelerator and avoid applying the footbrake
  2. 2Turn the steering wheel smoothly towards the right into the direction of the skid
  3. 3Straighten the steering wheel as the vehicle begins to realign with the road
  4. 4Reapply gentle throttle only after directional stability and tyre grip are fully restored

Answer

1. Smoothly ease off the accelerator and avoid applying the footbrake, 2. Turn the steering wheel smoothly towards the right into the direction of the skid, 3. Straighten the steering wheel as the vehicle begins to realign with the road, 4. Reapply gentle throttle only after directional stability and tyre grip are fully restored.
When the rear of the car slides out on an icy road, the driver must first ease off the accelerator and refrain from braking to allow the tyres to regain adhesion. Steering into the slide (to the right) counteracts the rotation. As the car begins to straighten, the steering must be quickly centred to prevent a secondary slide in the opposite direction, after which gentle throttle can be restored.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Release the accelerator pedal smoothly without touching the brake pedal.
Engine power is reduced smoothly and wheel lockup is avoided, allowing the tyres the best opportunity to regain adhesion.
Harsh braking on an icy surface completely removes lateral tyre grip, deepening the loss of control.
2
Steer into the skid by turning the wheel towards the right.
The front wheels counter the yaw rotation by pointing in the direction of the rear slide.
Steering in the direction the rear is sliding stops the vehicle from spinning out.
3
Promptly straighten the steering as the vehicle regains its intended heading.
The vehicle stabilises on its intended path rather than whipping into a reverse skid.
Maintaining the counter-steer lock too long triggers a pendulum effect, sliding the rear out in the opposite direction.
4
Smoothly resume gentle throttle application.
Forward progress continues with stable vehicle weight distribution and grip.
Throttle should only be reintroduced once wheels are aligned and traction is confirmed.

Key Concept

Oversteer skid recovery technique on ice and snow
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Ice and Snow Conditions

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