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trailers finally back in line without the brakes.

In heavy amounts of snow when you counter steer, be prepared for the different amounts of snow to affect your steering adjustments. Slow down your steering adjustments drastically on ice; as any quick movements can send your car skidding completely out of control.

2. Never lock up your brakes. This is probably the worst maneuvers you can do in a skid. The adjustments of your brakes are usually set at 75% for the front brakes, and 25% for the rear brakes. If you lock up your brakes more than likely the front brakes will grab quicker; which results in the rear of your vehicle coming around to where the front end of your vehicle once was.

Although your initial reaction when your car starts to skid is to hit your brakes, the best procedure is first try to regain the control of your car with your steering. Most people usually hit their brakes the first thing they do; and these are the people who usually end up in a ditch on a cold dark and snowy night.

If your have to slow your car down while you are in a skid (because a vehicle in front of you is stopping) tap the brakes lightly and let off of them while you're counter steering. This gives you a sense of how much brake you can use, and also tells you what the friction or traction of your car is on the road surface.

Always be aware of the distance of the vehicle ahead of you while you're skidding, and be prepared to find a "safe place" to maneuver your vehicle to in case you can't stop in time. In bad weather always be aware of what vehicles are around you in case of a skid; that way you'll know exactly where your "safe place" is.

3. Relax. If your car is starting to slide to one side don't overreact. This is a reaction which is hard to overcome when your car is unstable. Overreacting only forces your car into another unsafe maneuver. The stability of your car is now in jeopardy, any quick movements only causes the car to react in a "to quick" maneuver which causes the vehicle to slide now in the opposite direction of the original skid. Now, if you've overreacted in your steering; you're now truly fishtailing (from side to side) as you go down the road trying to correct each over-steer maneuver which you've done.

The best piece of advice if your driving in bad weather is; if you're not comfortable with the road conditions don't go. There will always be another day to make the trip when the roads have been improved. Pull over and take a break if the roads get too bad, and give the roads crews a chance to do what they do best; maybe their just right behind you.

Learn more about this author, Kevin Lamb.
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