More ways of gaining control on a FWD when the front wheels skid?

Question

I drive a 99' Toyota Camry, which is FWD. I also live in a region where snow and ice are as common as smog is in L.A.. I lose control of the front wheels alot more often than the back wheels, which I find easier to control when they skid. Is there another way to gain control rather than letting off the gas and waiting for the front tires to regain control?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!!

Answer 1

Understeer is one of the achillies heels of a FWD car, especially in slippery conditions. There is one way of rotating the back end around if you start to understeer... that's by pulling the e-brake and locking up the back wheels. It's a little dangerous unless you know what you are doing.  I would reccomend practicing the maneuver in a parking lot. before actually trying it to help you recover from an understeer situation on public roads.

Answer 2

I agree with Louis G on this one. Use the emergency brake technique - some extra weight in the back of the car might help too, a couple of bags of sand or something.

Answer 3

Four dedicated winter tires are the way to go in the winter time. The new generation Blizzaks outperform studded winter tires. Under steer may seem annoying but is safer and easier to control, simply backing off corrects under steer, if you back off when you overseer it snaps out the back even worse.

Answer 4

steer where you need to go and hit the gas.. spin yourself out of it.  as long as you have good winters this will work.

that or get a 4x4