Our previous blog provided some safe driving tips for driving in snow and ice. Unfortunately practicing safe driving does not always guaruntee your vehicle wont end up slipping. Here are some tips for what to do to help gain back control of a vehicle once it has started sliding on ice and snow:
If your rear wheels skid...
1. Take your foot off the accelerator.
2. Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.
3. If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
4. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
5. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.
6. Never, ever, ever slam on your brakes. You can down shift to slow down without needing to press your brakes.
If your front wheels skid...
1. Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.
2. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.
The majority of these tips were taken from weather.com
Sacramento courier has never been more prepared!