What Causes a Car to Fishtail?

1 Answers
VonJosiah
07/29/25 8:59pm
The reason a car fishtails is that the rear wheels lock up before the front wheels. When the wheels lock, braking force is reduced, and the friction between the rear wheels and the road surface decreases. This creates a torque relative to a certain point, leading to fishtailing. If the rear wheels completely lose braking force and the center of gravity is on the left-right symmetry plane, with balanced braking forces relative to the symmetrical composite point, fishtailing should not occur. Fishtailing is a common issue in rear-wheel-drive vehicles and often leads to various traffic accidents, especially when driving in rain, snow, gravel, or on slippery roads. In such conditions, it is essential to slow down and drive cautiously to avoid fishtailing. If a car skids sideways during braking while driving, the driver should immediately stop braking, reduce fuel supply, and turn the steering wheel toward the side of the skid. When adjusting the brakes, ensure that the front and rear wheels lock up simultaneously or that the front wheels lock slightly earlier. There should be no noticeable deviation during braking.
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