Driving in the winter comes with its own set of dangers. The most concerning is driving on ice because it is hard to see on the road. You run a severe risk of skidding, which is where your tires lose their grip on the road and end up sliding on the ice. This can result in a severe accident if you cannot control your vehicle.
So how do you avoid skidding on ice?
Driving carefully and defensively will work in your favor. Avoid sudden stops by applying the brakes gently. If your wheels lock up, ease off them entirely. If you drive a manual car, gradually shift your gears downward. Drive with caution, and do not take quick direction changes. Also, it is good to know that all-wheel-drive vehicles can still skid on ice. One of the best protection factors is to mount snow tires on all four wheels of the cars. Driving downhill on packed snow depends on whether you have ABS. If you do, start on the top of the hill very slowly. Use light, steady pressure on the brakes as you remain in drive. If you do not have ABS, lightly pump your brakes as you slowly head down.
Another excellent defense against skidding or sliding on ice is to know the risk factors. Consider signing up for a driving class. This can be great for young or experienced drivers who are new to driving in snowy climates. You may learn essential skills in preventing and in the case of skidding.
What do you do if you are skidding on the ice?
The first thing you must do in this situation, and any driving condition, stay calm. It can be scary when you are sliding on ice, but you can get out of it safely if you remain calm and handle it with a clear head. Getting out of this situation depends on several factors. The most straightforward response to skid correction is to ease off the brake pedals and focus on keeping the front wheels pointed towards the direction you would like to go.
If you have front-wheel drive and the rear end slides, steer into the skid and keep the car pointed in your intended direction. At the same time, release the brakes to give the rear wheels more weight and better grip. If the front end slides and you are not braking, release the accelerator just a little to help your front wheels find their grip.
If you have rear-wheel drive and the rear end slides, you can steer into the skid again and keep your car pointed in the correct direction.
What happens when you are not able to skid correct?
Unfortunately, sometimes you may not recover from the skid, and you may have a collision. If that is the case, follow our guide to What To Do After an Accident. We even have a complimentary estimate tool to speed up the process and get you back on the road in no time. Our gold-class certified technicians will explain every step of the process before they do any work on your car. We accept all major insurances, work with any make or model, and offer a lifetime guarantee! Check out the Performance Collision Center closest to you!