How to avoid the skid-

In light of our last post about Skid vehicle training we wanted to post up a "how to" on correcting for a skid IF one should occur--

When a wheel or wheels slide against the roadway due to insufficient traction, the vehicle is skidding.

Poor traction conditions (Chapter 17), a sudden change of acceleration, hard braking, a sudden change of direction or a combination of these factors cause skids. The usual result is a loss of directional control.

FRONT WHEEL SKIDS

The front wheels slide and your vehicle continues straight ahead.

1)      Excessive brake pressure locks the front wheels (not with ABS brakes), the vehicle will not react to steering input. It continues straight.

WHAT TO DO:

·         Target and steer towards the travel path

·         Release the brake pedal

·         Reapply the brake more gently to continue reducing speed

2)      A sharp turn of the steering and your vehicle continues straight (under-steer)

WHAT TO DO:

·         Unwind the steering slightly to regain steering control (jab brake)

·         Target and steer towards the travel path

3)      With a  front wheel drive vehicle, while accelerating, you turn the steering and your vehicle continues straight (under-steer)

WHAT TO DO:

·         Shift to neutral (depress the clutch)

·         Jab brake (weight transfer to front)

·         Target and steer toward the travel path

·         Re-engage the transmission and proceed at a slower speed.

REAR WHEEL SKIDS

The rear wheels slide and the rear of your vehicle moves to the right or left.

1)      While turning, the rear of your vehicle slides towards the outside of the curve (over-steer)

2)      While driving in reduced traction conditions, you downshift, release the accelerator quickly or accelerate sharply and the rear of your vehicle begins to slide to the side.

WHAT TO DO:

·         Shift to neutral (depress the clutch)

·         Target and steer toward the intended travel path.

As the vehicle straightens from the first skid, the rear of your vehicle may continue past the straight position and begin to slide in the opposite direction (fish-tail –lateral acceleration)

·         Target the desired travel path

·         Input steering corrections, quickly and smoothly, to direct your vehicle where you are looking

·         When under control , reduce your speed gently

·         Re-engage the transmission and proceed at a slower speed.