If your car skids on ice, the most critical action is to stay calm and avoid panicking. Do not slam on the brakes or jerk the steering wheel. Instead, you need to steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go and make smooth, minimal adjustments. This technique, often called "steering into the skid," helps you regain traction and control. Anytime you lose traction, the goal is to avoid sudden movements that can worsen the skid.
The correct response depends on the type of skid. In a front-wheel skid (understeer), where the car plows straight ahead in a turn, gently ease off the accelerator. This shifts weight to the front wheels, helping them grip again. For a rear-wheel skid (oversteer), where the back of the car fishtails, you must steer into the direction of the skid. If the tail slides right, steer right. Once the car begins to straighten, gently counter-steer to align the wheels with your path.
If your vehicle has an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), you can apply steady, firm pressure on the brake pedal during a skid. The system will pulse the brakes for you to prevent wheel lock-up. Without ABS, you should use a technique called threshold braking, applying pressure just short of locking the wheels. The best defense is prevention: slow down significantly, increase your following distance to 8-10 seconds, and use gentle inputs for steering, braking, and acceleration on icy roads.
