A skid begins when tires lose their grip on the road, so it ends only once they grip again. Anything that restores traction, such as easing off the brake or the accelerator, is how you stop every type of skid.
Locked wheels slide instead of rolling, so the tires can no longer steer; that is why controlled braking avoids lockup and stab braking lets up as soon as the wheels lock. Front brakes add stopping power and should stay connected, and downshifting is not a required first step before emergency braking.
With the front tires sliding, there is no grip left to steer with, so the vehicle plows straight ahead whatever you do with the wheel. To recover, let the vehicle slow down by letting up on the brake and the gas and turning the wheel less sharply.
A skid means the tires have lost their grip, so recovery depends on getting that grip back, usually by easing off the brakes so the wheels can roll and then steering to straighten out. Braking harder or adding power tends to make the slide worse.
In stab braking you push the brakes all the way down, ease off when the wheels lock, and brake fully again as soon as they start rolling. Holding steady pressure without lockup is controlled braking, and stab braking is an accepted method for vehicles without antilock brakes.
Tires that are sliding cannot steer, so in a front-wheel skid the vehicle plows straight ahead however far you turn the steering wheel. Steering returns only when the front tires roll and grip the road again.
Controlled braking means squeezing the brakes as hard as you can without locking the wheels, which keeps the vehicle tracking straight and preserves your ability to steer. Locking the wheels and then releasing is stab braking, and if you need to make a large steering correction you should ease off the brakes first.
Releasing the brake lets the locked drive wheels start turning and grip again. A quick turn toward your intended path, followed by a countersteer as the vehicle straightens, keeps it from swinging into a slide in the opposite direction; more brake pressure just keeps the wheels locked.
A vehicle skids when braking, steering, or accelerating asks more of the tires than their grip can give. Recovery depends on getting that traction back, for example by releasing the brakes or easing off the accelerator, not by adding more braking or power.
Skids usually begin when a driver is traveling too fast for the road, far more often than because of worn tires or brakes out of adjustment. Slow down before you reach curves, exit ramps or slick pavement, rather than once the vehicle is already sliding.
In controlled braking you press the brakes as hard as you can without locking the wheels and keep steering movements very small, so the vehicle stops in a straight line. If you need to steer more or a wheel locks, release the brakes and reapply them as soon as you can; locking and releasing the wheels on purpose is stab braking, a different method.
Most serious skids happen because the driver is going faster than conditions allow, which leads to braking or turning harder than the tires can handle. Debris on the pavement and worn tires can add to the risk, but excess speed is the main cause.
This skid happens when the drive wheels spin faster than the pavement allows, so you must stop feeding power and let them roll freely until they grip again. Braking or adding throttle only keeps the wheels sliding.
Letting up on the brakes allows the locked drive wheels to roll and grip again. Then steer quickly toward where you want the vehicle to go, and countersteer as it straightens so it does not swing too far the other way; braking harder only keeps the wheels locked.
Letting off the brakes allows the locked drive wheels to roll and grip again. Then turn quickly toward where you want the vehicle to go and countersteer as it comes back in line, so it does not start sliding the other way; braking harder only keeps the wheels locked.
With controlled braking you press as hard as you can without locking the wheels; with stab braking you brake fully, let up when the wheels lock, and brake again once they roll. Both stop the vehicle quickly without leaving the wheels locked, so you can still steer.
Every question in this set has its own page with the correct answer and an explanation.
