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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sarah T. on March 2, 2005, at 2:27:08
I've always heard that you're supposed to steer in the direction of the skid. I don't understand this at all. It makes no sense to me. Can someone tell me how to get out of a skid? Most of the U.S. is having some sort of bad weather or another now, so I thought this post might be helpful to many of us. I'm not sure whether I should have posted this on the Health board since this does affect our health. I'll leave it here for now and see what Dr. Bob decides. But please tell me about that "steering in the direction of the skid." If I steer in the direction of the skid, won't I make a 360-degree turn? Egads! Every time I skid, I feel as if my heart is in my throat.
Posted by ghost on March 2, 2005, at 6:24:42
In reply to Driving/skidding on ice and snow -- help!, posted by Sarah T. on March 2, 2005, at 2:27:08
when you skid, your wheels are losing touch with the ground, and they are pointed in a direction different from that of the car. by steering in the direction of the skid, you're re-alligning the wheels with the car's direction, giving your car a better chance of getting its wheels firmly back on the ground, and allowing you to resume control of the car and steer back onto the road.
i used this trick just yesterday in a snowstorm and it does, actually, work. you just have to be quick about it.
Posted by Phil on March 2, 2005, at 6:29:43
In reply to Driving/skidding on ice and snow -- help!, posted by Sarah T. on March 2, 2005, at 2:27:08
I think this means to steer the car in the direction you want it to go but don't over-correct. If you are turning right and your car loses traction and the rear end starts coming around the drivers side of the car(in the U.S.), you should steer back to the left-but not too much or you'll start a skid in the other direction.
If you see a cop at a 7/11 or something, ask them about this because 'steer in the direction of the skid' is the most confusing quote related to driving. I'm pretty sure that you wouldn't want to steer right or you're going to crash for sure.
By far the best thing to do is *slow down* and try to prevent skidding in the first place.
Also, it's a good idea to have your tire pressure at the correct level and you should have as much tread on the rear tires as you have on the front tires.
I hope I didn't confuse you more.
Phil
Posted by fallsfall on March 2, 2005, at 7:22:33
In reply to Driving/skidding on ice and snow -- help!, posted by Sarah T. on March 2, 2005, at 2:27:08
My philosopy is that the car is going to go where it wants to go, and as much as possible you should let it. When I start to skid, I try not to panic. I check to see if anyone/anything is around. If I'm in the middle of a road and there aren't any cars or trees, I just let the car finish what it has started. Once the momentum is over, then I can get it back to where it is supposed to be. Any sudden/severe motions on my part are going to make the skid worse. Take your foot off the gas and the brake (particularly the brake). I do steer (gently) in the direction I want to go, I think.
Prevention is the best medicine. If you are driving in an area where there are lots of solid objects (cars, trees, people, buildings), drive slowly enough so that you stay in control of your car. Notice when you start to lose traction and take your feet off the pedals immediately. Watch what the road surface looks like - figure out if the slippery parts look snowy, slushy, shiny, black, etc. When you approach a "slippery part", aim the car where you want it to go and then don't touch the pedals or the wheel and hope that momentum will take you through it. If it is all slippery, slow down. Give yourself much more time to stop. Give other cars much more time to do something. Give yourself lots of clear space if you have to turn - it is when you ask the car to change direction/speed that you will have your biggest problem.
The biggest rule is don't do anything sudden, and don't panic. Good luck! (P.S. good all weather tires really do help...)
Posted by Larry Hoover on March 2, 2005, at 12:22:41
In reply to Driving/skidding on ice and snow -- help!, posted by Sarah T. on March 2, 2005, at 2:27:08
> I've always heard that you're supposed to steer in the direction of the skid. I don't understand this at all. It makes no sense to me. Can someone tell me how to get out of a skid? Most of the U.S. is having some sort of bad weather or another now, so I thought this post might be helpful to many of us. I'm not sure whether I should have posted this on the Health board since this does affect our health. I'll leave it here for now and see what Dr. Bob decides. But please tell me about that "steering in the direction of the skid." If I steer in the direction of the skid, won't I make a 360-degree turn? Egads! Every time I skid, I feel as if my heart is in my throat.
Don't ask me why, but the "direction of the skid" is in reference to the movement of the center of gravity/momentum, rather than to the direction the front of the vehicle is facing.
A skid to the left is a rotation to the right, and is thus an obvious source of confusion.
As as has been previously stated here, the key is to steer towards the direction you'd rather be facing, which is really an intuitive response to the situation, in any case.
Lar
Posted by anastasia56 on March 2, 2005, at 14:31:18
In reply to Driving/skidding on ice and snow -- help!, posted by Sarah T. on March 2, 2005, at 2:27:08
i can completely relate. when i lived in chicago i remember driving in bad ice and snow and my legs would shake so hard with fear that the gas pedal would be bouncing up and down.
ana
Posted by Sarah T. on March 3, 2005, at 1:41:12
In reply to Re: Driving/skidding on ice and snow -- help! » Sarah T., posted by anastasia56 on March 2, 2005, at 14:31:18
Hi. Thanks to all of you. Your replies were so much more helpful than any "Driver's Ed" or AAA Safety Brochures I've ever seen. Now, it finally makes sense. I just hope that the next time my car skids, I'll have the presence of mind to do the right thing.
Posted by AuntieMel on March 3, 2005, at 10:16:00
In reply to Re: Driving/skidding on ice and snow -- help!, posted by Sarah T. on March 3, 2005, at 1:41:12
I think ghost's description is most accurate. We get a lot of rain here, oil gets wet and makes the road slick and wet leaves get on the road. It's happened to me a lot when making turns.
You really do end up steering 'the wrong way' but you do end up regaining control.
Steering back the direction you want to go can make your car flip.
Of course the biggest rule is take the foot off the gas and *do not!* step on the brake.
Posted by ron1953 on March 3, 2005, at 14:03:31
In reply to Driving/skidding on ice and snow -- help!, posted by Sarah T. on March 2, 2005, at 2:27:08
Sarah:
You appear to have a good grasp of the physics of why to steer "in the direction" of the skid (then gently steer out of it when you have control)- if your wheels aren't turning, you have absolutely no directional control. Considering your level of concern, if you car doesn't have anti-lock brakes (ABS), trade it in! The system is amazing. Otherwise, as I was taught long ago, pump the brakes to prevent locking the wheels.
Ron
This is the end of the thread.
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