Skid control

[waynne]

I was just wondering how confident we are of keeping control of a car in the wet or icy conditions.

Question 1:
Do you think you can keep control of a car in a skid situation and do you understand the principle of countersteering?

Question 2:
Have you ever experienced a skid in the car, was it on ICE or wet roads?

Please answer both questions and feel free to add your further comments.

[Izo Azlion]

I know the basics of skid control - how the weight shifts, how you're supposed to get out of it, etc. However when it actually happened in my Civic, rather unexpectedly too, all the knowledge fell out of my head. I let off the gas, weight went forward after I'd countersteered, and there I was facing the bush on the left side of the road.

I intend to go on a course soon tbh, i think it'd be fun more than anything but its finding time and spare cash.

Nice idea for a topic

[Cisco26uk]

Had it in the capri in wet conditions, going around a small round about back stepped right out with no warning I managed to catch and control it but then noticed the police car that was waiting to come on the round about aswell. Yes officer no officer D'oh lol

[Massive]

i think i could now after a bad experience, of turning away from the skid too early then getting traction suddenly, and hitting not one railing but two right in the centre of them both and in conclusion writing off my second car, this was in a wet condtion, i kinda did a 180 into them

dont really understand it all but if i go into a skid again ill turn into it

[Cisco26uk]

Here is a link
http://www.graham-sykes.co.uk/skidcontrol.html

[Shao]

back end stepped out on a sandy coast road in my escort Si coming off a roundabout, countersteered it twice which rectifyed it and after a double wag of the tail

[HDi fun]

Once you know how to provoke a skid, slide, whatever, you'll know what to do to recover from one. You'll also know what not to do in order to mitigate against it in the first place.

There are so many different types of traction loss, and so many different causes that it's impossible to analyse in the space available.

[sbtUK]

I'd say I was OK at controlling a skid. I'm quite a new driver, but when it snowed a few months back I went out at midnight and found an empty car park to have a bit of practice in. After quite a bit of practice I was able to countersteer out of a skid... That doesn't mean I'll be able to do it on the road when it takes me by suprise, but I'll have a better chance than I would have done otherwise

[waynne]

I must say I'm actually impressed by your answers. The average motorist was asked these 2 same questions and most responded as follows.

Yes I can control a car in a skid.
NO I have never had a skid in a car.

This begs the obvious question, if you've never had a skid how do you know and how can you develop the skills to stop one!

I note that most of us are actually rather cautious when it comes to admitting we can control a car in a skid. In reality if you hit ICE you have little chance even if you are a seasoned rally driver!

HDi is right - you cannot learn skid control from a text book. You need to develop a feel for the car. This is something that comes through experience and practice.

The biggest danger as SBTUK says is when it catches you by surprise.

I cannot stress or recommend enough a skid training course. As well as being great fun could easily save your life. I reckon that basic skid training should be part of the driving test.

Do you agree?

[Shao]

agreed