How to Recover From a Front Wheel Drive Skid

A car in danger of skidding

There are three main ways to put your car into a skid: while accelerating, while braking, and while turning. Snow, ice, and water will also contribute to a skidding problem. Recovering from a skid in a front wheel drive car is more difficult than a rear wheel drive, but it not as easy to get into a skid.

Instructions

1. Turn the steering wheel in the same direction the wheels are skidding. As you recover the skid may reverse, requiring you to steer the other way to compensate.

2. Allow the drive wheels to rotate at the speed the car is going by not braking or accelerating. If you have a manual transmission, push in the clutch. Once the wheels are at the same speed as the car, they will regain traction.

3. Keep both hands on the wheel and don't give up; a skid may require several corrections before full control is regained.

References

• Winter Driving Tips