- Release the gas pedal gently.
- Steer the car in the direction where the back of the car is sliding.
- Shift to a lower gear quickly and use the engine to slow down.
- Turn on hazard lights as quickly as you can until you regain control.
- Apply hand brake if necessary.
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FAQ
Read our Frequently Asked Questions.
The most common tire-related causes are a blowout or rapid pressure loss, which pulls the vehicle sharply toward the affected side, and a skid where the front tires lose grip. Non-tire causes include a broken tie rod, a seized steering component, or hydroplaning — where the tire rides up on a film of water and temporarily loses road contact. Each situation calls for a slightly different response, but the first priority is always the same: hold the wheel firmly and keep the vehicle moving in as straight a line as possible.
Look and steer toward where you want to go, not where the vehicle is currently going. Ease off the accelerator — do not brake hard, as this locks the wheels and removes steering control. If the front is sliding (understeer), ease off and let the front tires recover grip before steering. If the rear is sliding (oversteer), steer gently in the direction the rear is moving to realign the vehicle. Smooth, deliberate corrections work; sharp overcorrections usually make things worse.
Grip the wheel firmly — a front blowout will pull the vehicle sharply toward the side of the failure. Resist the pull with firm, controlled steering. Keep your foot off the brake and maintain speed briefly to stabilize the vehicle before gradually easing off the accelerator. Only once the vehicle is tracking straighter and speed has reduced naturally should you brake gently to bring it to a stop. Steer toward the shoulder as the speed drops.
A rear blowout typically causes the vehicle to swerve or fishtail rather than pull sharply. Grip the wheel firmly and keep both hands on it. Don't brake — allow the vehicle to slow naturally while you steer straight. Once it's stable and slowing, guide it carefully toward a safe stopping point on the shoulder. Rear blowouts are generally easier to manage than front ones because the front wheels still have full steering capability.
Sharp, sudden corrections. When the vehicle is already in an unstable state — sliding, pulling, or yawing — a large steering input in the opposite direction can cause a secondary loss of control that's harder to recover from than the original problem. The instinct to jerk the wheel is understandable but usually counterproductive. Small, smooth, progressive corrections give the tires a better chance to find grip and bring the vehicle back under control.
Significantly. A tire with good tread depth maintains the grip needed for steering corrections to work. An underinflated tire has a softer, less responsive sidewall that reacts sluggishly to steering inputs. A worn tire on wet roads may not have enough grip to respond to corrections at all. Maintaining tires in correct condition means that when an emergency steering input is needed, the tires are capable of delivering the response.
