Questions
A. The weather
Skidding is usually caused by driver error. You should always adjust your driving to take account of the road and weather conditions.
A. Brake firmly and quickly
In snowy conditions, be careful with the steering, accelerator and brakes. Braking sharply while you're driving on snow is likely to make your car skid.
A. Improved grip on the road
By driving all four wheels, the vehicle has maximum grip on the road. This grip is especially helpful when travelling on slippery or uneven surfaces. However, having four-wheel drive doesn't replace the skills you need to drive safely.
A. Select a high gear and use the brakes carefully
When driving down a steep hill, gravity will cause your vehicle to speed up. This will make it more difficult for you to stop. To help keep your vehicle's speed under control, select a lower gear to give you more engine braking and make careful use of the brakes.
You may have to stop in an emergency due to a misjudgement by another driver or a hazard arising suddenly, such as a child running out into the road. If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, you should apply the brakes immediately and keep them firmly applied until you stop.
A. Check your tyre pressures
If your brakes have been thoroughly soaked, you should check that they’re working properly before you build up speed again. Before you do this, remember to check your mirrors and consider what’s behind you.
Extra care should be taken in wet weather. On wet roads, your stopping distance could be double that in dry conditions.
A. By changing to a lower gear
When driving on downhill stretches of road, selecting a lower gear gives increased engine braking. This will prevent excessive use of the brakes, which become less effective if they overheat.
A. Improvement in control
Coasting is the term used when the clutch is held down, or the gear lever is in neutral. This reduces the driver’s control of the vehicle. When you coast, the engine can’t drive the wheels to stabilise you through a corner or give the assistance of engine braking to help slow the car.
A. Move across to the left-hand side of the road
Many towns have road humps as part of traffic-calming measures, designed to slow down traffic. Reduce your speed when driving over them. If you go too fast, you could lose control or damage your car. Look out for pedestrians or cyclists while you're driving in these areas.