Apropos of current icy driving conditions, should you turn into the skid or against it?

rfcneil

You should turn into the skid. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_should_you_do_when_your_car_go_into_a_skid http://innovation.ducttapemarketing.com/2009/06/turn-into-the-skid.html Dec 27 09, 11:20 AM

star_gazer

If your car does begin to skid on the ice, turn the wheel in the direction of the skid. This should help to steer your car back on the right track. http://www.howtodothings.com/automotive/a3240-how-to-drive-on-black-ice.html Dec 27 09, 11:16 PM

darkpresence

This article seems to advise otherwise, at least with front wheel drive but doesn't mention if manual transmission makes a difference. Opinions? Does this guy really know his stuff or is this advice that will get you killed? http://www.angelfire.com/biz/snwvlly/fwd.html Dec 21 10, 12:26 PM

Baloo55th

I rather get the impression that he prefers the old RWD big engined American cars... In Baloo's experience, manual beats automatic on ice any day. You can control the power transfer with the clutch. Keep off the brakes as much as you can. In our currently iced-up Southport, Baloo has steered into the skid a few times (having provoked the skid at least a couple of times for practice when the road was empty). The Baloomobile is FWD. The snag with FWD is that you can't use the handbrake like you can on RD cars. Judicious use of a real (non-electronic) handbrake on the driving wheels gives an approximation of diff-lock. But whatever you do - keep the revs DOWN. If you have a diesel, you can set off on tickover on most cars. All in all, that linked site seems to be more concerned with driving at speed, which is not safe in icy conditions. By the way, having a 4x4 doesn't mean you are exempt from this advice. Most of the ones around now are fitted with road tyres designed for speed, and are totally useless on mud or ice. I've even seen one spinning his wheels with a 4x4 who hadn't engaged the drive to his back wheels. (Not all 4x4 are permanent - many have a switch or shift lever.) If you are in an automatic, don't forget many of then have a 'manual' shift too. Use your lower gears that way. (Source: probably a million miles driven in all sorts.) Dec 21 10, 2:55 PM