Oversteer

This is when the back wheels of a car lose traction while driving around a bend. Unless it is controlled, the car will be likely to spin completely around. Oversteer usually happens to rear-wheel drive vehicles when cornering too fast under acceleration; weight is transferred to the rear of the car which then quickly swings out.

Rally drivers often use oversteer in order to gain the correct position on sharp bends, it is also the most common skid shown in films as it looks dramatic. However, for those of us that aren't rally drivers or film stars, the best way of getting around a bend is with all four wheels in good contact with the road - not by having two wheels sliding around.

Red line - Intended path around the bend
Dotted red line - No skid control
Blue line - Skid control path

Oversteer skidding can happen very quickly. As soon as traction is lost the back of the car tends to "snap" around - the car pivots around a point between the front wheels. To regain control you need to do three things as soon as you recognize that you are skidding - immediately:

• Take your foot off the accelerator. This removes the power to the rear wheels.
• Clutch in. This enables the rear wheels to spin at the same speed as the car is travelling.
• Steer into the direction of the skid.

Because the front wheels will probably be at an angle to the direction the car is moving, friction will make the front wheels try to point in the direction of the skid. This can be used to advantage by using the technique of letting the steering wheel run through your fingers. As soon as you recognize the skid, release the steering wheel so that it runs freely through your fingers (obviously, don't let go completely). The steering wheel will spin rapidly until it's pointing in the direction that you need it to be in order to regain control. At that point, grip the steering wheel and continue to steer until the skid is under control.