Snow and icy roads make the vehicle skid. Vehicles skidding on snow and icy roads is a common thing during winters, but it can be dangerous. In most of the cases black ice is the main cause fro skidding.
Black ice is very difficult to identify, especially in the night. Because of its transparent nature it looks like the road. When you are driving don't accelerate harshly, drive gently and don't change the gears suddenly because abrupt steering movements may cause skidding. Here are some techniques that will help you minimize skidding on the snow.
Try to avoid traveling on the edges. If you drive on sideways your car may roll over. It is especially for tall 4X4 vehicles.
When the situation is out of control, emergency equipments like airbags, seat-belt will protect from serious injuries.
Black ice is very difficult to identify, especially in the night. Because of its transparent nature it looks like the road. When you are driving don't accelerate harshly, drive gently and don't change the gears suddenly because abrupt steering movements may cause skidding. Here are some techniques that will help you minimize skidding on the snow.
- Brake: Apply the wheel brakes gently and slowly add pressure. The anti-lock braking system will automatically release the brakes and reapply to keep the wheel going round as it will help in not losing the steer control. But it wont work below 4 mph. If you do not have the anti-lock braking system, give the alternative movements to apply the brakes. When sliding down a hill release brake pedal when regaining steering control. Then again reapply the brakes.
- Based on wheel driving: If your front wheels are skidding, keep off the foot on accelerate. Do not steer immediately. If the wheels are skidding sideways, automatically vehicle will slowdown and traction will return. When it come to your required direction, release clutch and accelerate. In case of back or rear wheels, do not accelerate. Steer the front wheels to the direction to where you want to go. In which direction they are sliding steer to that direction. Means if they are sliding to the left steer left, steer right when they sliding to the right. When the back wheels are sliding the other way, you have to steer right and left for a few times until the vehicle is under control.
- Steering: While correcting the skid we can easily lose track of front wheels pointing direction. Professionals sometimes mark as 12 o'clock to know where the front wheels are pointing in skid correction. Some steering wheels have lettering or styling to know the front wheel direction clearly.
- Correction of skid: Do not over correct the skid. The thumb rule for the beginners is keep the front wheel to where it wants to go. It is not good to do late in steering correction because it causes swing violently the other way. Gentle acceleration pull the car back onto your intention course.
Try to avoid traveling on the edges. If you drive on sideways your car may roll over. It is especially for tall 4X4 vehicles.
When the situation is out of control, emergency equipments like airbags, seat-belt will protect from serious injuries.
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