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Step 1
Learn how to control a skid. The standard advice to "steer into the skid" is a confusing term. It means that if the rear end of your car is skidding out to the left, turn your steering wheel left. The front end will be rotating to the right in such a situation, so you are actually steering opposite to the direction your front end is skidding. If you steer to the right in that situation, you may roll your vehicle over.
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Step 2
Use your gears as an auxiliary braking method, even if you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS). On ice, even ABS won’t produce short braking distances, so use your engine to slow the vehicle by manually down shifting your transmission, even if you have an automatic transmission.
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Step 3
Use your brakes normally if you have ABS. If you don’t have ABS, use a steady, progressive braking pressure. Pumping your brakes on ice can initiate skids, so use a steady pressure. If your wheels stop turning, ease off the brake slightly and re-apply steady pressure.
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Step 4
Avoid oversteering on icy roads. If your vehicle doesn’t respond right away to steering inputs, don’t keep turning the wheel—-you may trigger a snap skid. Use lower gears on inclines to keep your speed within a controllable range.
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Step 5
Practice controlled skids in a safe area so your reactions become automatic. If you have to take time to think about which way to turn the wheel, it will probably be too late. Find a safe place to practice winter driving like a cul-de-sac with no cars or a big, empty parking lot and practice controlled skids and emergency braking techniques.
