Winter brings a variety of challenges for drivers, especially when navigating snow and ice-covered roads. Regardless of how experienced you may be behind the wheel, emergency towing professionals warn that it’s not always possible to keep from hitting patches of black ice. As such, before setting out on your holiday travels, it’s important to know what steps you should take if your car suddenly begins to skid.

What to Do When Your Car Skids on Ice

1. Ease Off the Gas Pedal

If you feel your vehicle start skidding out of control, try not to panic. This can cause you to make rash decisions that increase your risk of a collision. The first action to take is to remove your foot from the accelerator. Pushing on the gas pedal will keep the tires spinning, making it difficult for you to recover control of the car.

2. Don’t Apply the Brakes

Also, while your vehicle is in the sliding motion, you don’t want to slam on your brakes. This can prevent your wheels from regaining traction on the road. To correct a skid, the tires need to be able to move freely. Instead, emergency towing experts recommend lightly tapping the brakes so you can maneuver the car without making the slide worse.

3. Steer Into the Skid

If your vehicle continues to skid even after removing your foot from the accelerator, turn the steering wheel into the skid to help straighten out the tires. This means you turn in the same direction the back of your car is sliding in. Choose a focal point in the distance and aim for that spot.

Don’t jerk the steering wheel in whichever direction you need to turn. This can result in overcorrection, which may cause the vehicle to fishtail and put it into a complete spin. Emergency towing companies emphasize using gentle movements to position the wheel correctly.

Should you encounter any problems while traveling for the holidays, trust Bolster’s Towing to help get you back on the road as safely and quickly as possible. For nearly 50 years, they’ve offered reliable emergency towing and are capable of handling any issue that may arise. Based in Kalispell, MT, these experienced professionals can transport your vehicle to wherever your desired destination may be. Call (406) 752-4528 to request service or visit them online for more information on what they do.