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Driving safety guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
How to Correct a Skid and Regain Control
Sudden turns, lane changes and hard braking can all cause a skid. Here is how to recover with conventional or anti-lock brakes, what to do if your wheels drop onto the shoulder, and how to keep a skid from turning into a rollover, according to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
Ease offthe gas pedal first
Steerwhere the rear slides (conventional brakes)
ABSfirm pressure, no pumping
Nearly 1/3of passenger vehicle deaths are rollovers
The short answer
Ease off the gas and do not overreact. With conventional brakes, steer smoothly in the direction the rear of the car is sliding, then straighten out once the tires grip. With anti-lock brakes, keep firm, steady pressure on the pedal, steer normally and do not pump. Do not steer too far; the Indiana Driver's Manual says that could cause a spin, and that overcorrecting at highway speeds can cause a rollover.
Why cars skid
The Indiana Driver's Manual says sudden turns, lane changes or hard braking can cause a vehicle to skid. Road conditions matter too: wet roads can be dangerously slick, especially right after a rainfall, and ice on the roadway can cause a vehicle to lose traction. The manual adds that moisture on ramps, bridges and overpasses may occasionally freeze before other sections of the road.
How well a vehicle stops depends on its weight, the type and condition of its brakes and tires, the condition and slickness of the pavement, and the grade of the road. The manual also warns that driving at or above the posted limit is even more dangerous on slick or icy roads, in bad weather or poor visibility, or with worn tires.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual (Indiana BMV), Chapter 7, read November 10, 2026.
How to correct a skid, step by step
The manual says the procedure for correcting a skid is the same for front-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive vehicles. If your vehicle begins to lose traction or the rear wheels begin sliding sideways:
- Ease off the gas pedal.
- Do not overreact. Do not make a fast turn away from the direction of the skid, and do not steer too far, which could cause a spin.
- Respond the right way for your brakes (see the table below). With conventional brakes, the manual says to straighten the vehicle and proceed slowly once you regain traction.
| Your brakes | What to do in a skid |
|---|---|
| Conventional brakes | Turn the steering wheel in a controlled manner in the direction the rear of the car is sliding. When you regain traction, straighten the vehicle and proceed slowly. |
| Anti-lock brakes (ABS) | Keep your foot on the brake pedal with firm and continuous pressure while steering normally. Do not pump the brakes. |
With ABS, the manual says a mechanical sound or noise, vibration, or increased resistance in the brake pedal indicates the system is working, so keep steady pressure on the pedal.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual (Indiana BMV), Chapter 7, read November 10, 2026.
If your wheels drop onto the shoulder
If your vehicle's wheels drift onto the shoulder, the manual says not to try to turn back onto the pavement right away, because that might throw the vehicle off balance. Instead:
- Drive along the shoulder and ease up on the gas pedal.
- After slowing down, turn back onto the road gradually.
If a collision looks possible, the manual says to turn away from oncoming traffic, even if it means leaving the road, and to drive rather than skid off the road, which allows more control.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual (Indiana BMV), Chapters 7 and 8, read November 10, 2026.
Skids and rollovers
According to the manual, rollover crashes account for nearly one-third of all passenger vehicle fatalities, and many happen when drivers overcorrect their steering in a panic. At highway speeds, overcorrecting can make the driver lose control and force the vehicle to slide sideways and roll over. The manual's ways to reduce the risk:
Avoid panicked steering
Overcorrecting or excessive steering at highway speeds can cause a sideways slide and a rollover.
Leave the road the right way
If you leave the roadway, do not turn back onto the pavement right away. Ease up on the gas and turn back gradually when it is safe.
Maintain your tires
Improperly inflated and worn tires inhibit your ability to keep control, which the manual calls the most important factor in reducing the chance of a rollover.
Load properly
Your owner's manual lists your vehicle's maximum safe load and proper load distribution.
Use caution on rural roads
Rollovers are more likely on undivided two-way roads or divided roads with no barriers. A vehicle that leaves a rural road can roll if it strikes a ditch or embankment or is tripped by soft soil.
Slow down on curves and ramps
Do not exceed the advisory speeds posted at curves and ramps.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual (Indiana BMV), Chapter 7, read November 10, 2026.
How to avoid skidding in the first place
- Steer, brake and change lanes smoothly; the manual names sudden turns, lane changes and hard braking as skid causes.
- Slow down in heavy rain, standing water or slush, and do not drive on bald or badly worn tires.
- Stay at least two to three seconds behind the vehicle ahead.
- Watch for icy conditions at intersections when there is snow on the ground, and remember that ramps, bridges and overpasses may freeze before other sections of road.
More in our guides to driving on black ice, hydroplaning and driving in snow.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual (Indiana BMV), Chapter 7, read November 10, 2026.
Tire and brake checks at Michigan City Ford
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check. Properly inflated tires and brakes in good condition help you keep control when the road turns slick. The Works includes a tire pressure check and a brake inspection.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 10, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
How to correct a skid: FAQ
Which way do you steer in a skid?
With conventional brakes, the Indiana Driver's Manual says to turn the steering wheel in a controlled manner in the direction the rear of the car is sliding, then straighten out when you regain traction. Do not make a fast turn away from the skid or steer too far.
Should you brake during a skid?
Ease off the gas first. If your car has anti-lock brakes (ABS), keep firm, continuous pressure on the brake pedal and steer normally. Do not pump ABS brakes.
Is skid recovery different for front-wheel and rear-wheel drive?
No. The manual says the procedure for correcting a skid is the same for both front-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive vehicles.
Why does the brake pedal vibrate when I brake hard?
On a car with ABS, the manual says a mechanical sound or noise, vibration, or increased resistance in the brake pedal indicates the ABS is working. Keep your foot on the pedal.
What should I do if my tires drop off the edge of the road?
Do not try to turn back onto the pavement right away. Drive along the shoulder, ease up on the gas, and after slowing down, turn back onto the road gradually.
Do worn tires make it harder to control a car?
Yes. The manual says improperly inflated and worn tires inhibit your ability to maintain control, and warns against driving on bald or badly worn tires in the rain.
More driving safety guides
See our guides to tire tread depth, the tire pressure light and lake effect snow, or schedule service at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
Skid, braking, rollover and shoulder-recovery guidance is from Chapters 7 and 8 of the Indiana Driver's Manual (Indiana BMV), read November 10, 2026. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- Indiana Driver's Manual (PDF), Chapters 7 and 8, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026