How to control skidding?

I know there are tons of questions about this but I'm a first-time driver with snow and I had to drive this morning and I found myself skidding AT LEAST 3 times.

It seems to occur the most when I am at a stop-light and the light turns green. Like it feels as if my tires aren't even on the snow, if that makes any sense.

Any advice? I would not drive at all because obviously this is freaking me out a bit because I've never done it before. However, I just happen to have finals this week (something I can't miss, though I wish). I have no idea what kind of "drive" my car is because sometimes my front tires skid and sometimes my rear tires skid.

I drive a Nissan Altima which has gone through driving in the snow before. My wheels just lock and I guess I tend to use my breaks and my steering wheel and I can't get any control in it until my skidding has stopped.

Please help!

Trebor Wyn R

Hi, fist of all take your time in Snow Ice weather, First indication of Ice, A very light steering, When setting off at lights use 2nd gear instead of Ist the higher the gear the better the road wheel grip, Do not try and be clever if you do, you will pay the price, Ice can be detected by experience, ( Glittering road surface) look at other cars parked up look at their screens, When you brake use your gears from 5th 4th & so on do not slap on your brakes as the end result is You will loose control, I have driven all sorts in my years, Cars, HGVs & always drive with the OPINION "" what if"" can you understand that last statement? If you can you will not go far wrong

UCANTCME

Stay calm when your vehicle starts to skid so that you don't make the wrong move and worsen the situation.

Steer into the skid by turning the wheel in the direction that your vehicle is skidding. This sounds counterintuitive, but it's the best way to regain control of your vehicle during a skid.

Accelerate gently or remove your foot slowly from the gas pedal without touching the brake.

Keep all of your motions fluid and smooth. This prevents the car from becoming even more unstable

wvparanormal

When skidding in snow, never use the brakes unless a crash is eminent and nothing else is working. The brakes aren't going to work either, but it may slow you some and you might just by chance catch a little traction before impact.

Everyone will tell you to steer into the skid. That can be confusing to a new driver. Steer the direction the car was going before the skid. In other words, if you are going straight down the road when you start to skid, turn the wheel in a direction that would keep the front of the car going straight down the road.

By doing that, you are actually steering into the skid, without thinking about it.

When taking off from a stop, use a higher gear if possible. If driving an automatic transmission rear wheel drive car, set the parking brake slightly ( 2 maybe 3 clicks), that will reduce the torque of the drive tires and will reduce spinning.

joeblow32111

listen to nancy drew and stay calm, . . . a lot of people freak out the second they slide, don't, concentrate on what you need to do to regain control and do what nancy drew said. drive safe

pyroline8

if u start skidding do not hit the breaks. if the rear skids turn into it. if the front skids let off the gas and turn wear u want to go>DO NOT EVER SLAM ON THE BREAKS.if u r skidding that means that u have no traction for u to stop so just us light break pressure> dont listen to people saying slam on your or pump them , all u will do is keep sliding. just plan ahead.> have fun. i would lol drifting is fun.

try and get some new tire with threads , new breaks , get them greased

Nancy Drew

When you start skidding, foot OFF the brake or OFF the gas.

It sounds like you are more skidding when starting, then when stopping. If you start skidding when you start, ease off the gas. Start pushing the gas pedal very gradually. Start VERY slowly to get started. It will help your tires get a grip.

If you are skidding while stopping, you are braking too hard. Pump your brakes if you don't have anti lock. If you do have anti lock, press harder to engage them. You'll know if you have anti lock because when you slam on the brakes, you hear it. It sounds awful! My guess is that you don't have anti lock, so PUMP those brakes as fast as you can to stop if you need to do it in a hurry. Otherwise, plan ahead (is the light red? Is there a stop sign ahead?) and start gradually braking early.

Obviously, drive slower and leave more space between you and the vehicle in front of you. That way you will give yourself more time to stop.

Good luck! The only way to get used to it is to do it. If you're still freaked out about it, head to an empty parking lot and practice.

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