What is what to do when your car slides on ice?

Here's what to do if your car slides on ice:

If your car starts to slide on ice, the most important thing is to stay calm. Avoid panicking, as this can lead to overcorrection and make the situation worse.

• Identify the direction of the skid: Determine whether you're experiencing a front-wheel skid (https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/front-wheel%20skid) or a rear-wheel skid (https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/rear-wheel%20skid). This will affect how you correct the slide.

• Ease off the pedals: Immediately take your foot off the accelerator and the brake (https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/brake). Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, as this can worsen the skid.

• Steer in the direction of the skid: This is the most crucial step. If the rear of your car is sliding to the right, gently steer to the right. If it's sliding to the left, steer to the left. This is often referred to as "steering into the skid."

• Gentle corrections: Make small, gradual steering corrections. Avoid jerky or abrupt movements. Overcorrecting can cause the car to swing in the opposite direction.

• Look where you want to go: Focus your eyes on the direction you want the car to travel. This will help you subconsciously steer the car in the correct direction.

• Once you regain control: Once the car straightens out, gently straighten the steering wheel and continue driving at a slow, steady speed.

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS): If your car has ABS (https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/ABS), apply firm, steady pressure to the brake pedal. The ABS will automatically pump the brakes to prevent wheel lockup. You may feel a pulsing sensation in the brake pedal, which is normal. Do not pump the brakes yourself.

• If you don't have ABS: Gently pump the brakes in short, controlled bursts. Avoid locking up the wheels, as this will cause you to lose steering control.

• Consider using a lower gear: If you have a manual transmission, shifting to a lower gear can help increase traction.

Important Considerations:

• Drive slowly and cautiously when driving on icy roads.
• Increase your following distance to give yourself more time to react.
• Be aware of black ice, which is a thin, transparent layer of ice that can be difficult to see.
• Check your tire pressure, as underinflated tires can reduce traction.
• Consider using winter tires, which are designed to provide better grip on snow and ice.