Vehicle Handling

What should you do if you feel your vehicle starting to skid on ice?

• ABrake hard immediately
• BSteer sharply in the opposite direction
• CEase off the accelerator, steer gently in the direction you want to go, and avoid braking✓
• DAccelerate to escape the ice

Answer: Braking or harsh steering on ice locks wheels and worsens the skid. You must ease off power, steer smoothly where you want to go, and avoid sudden inputs.

What is aquaplaning?

• ADriving through deep water
• BYour tyres lose contact with the wet road surface and skid uncontrollably✓
• CA manoeuvre used in racing
• DWhen brakes overheat

Answer: Aquaplaning occurs when tyres cannot disperse water fast enough and ride on a water film, losing all grip. To avoid it, maintain proper tyre tread depth and reduce speed in heavy rain.

What should you do if you experience aquaplaning?

• ABrake hard
• BEase off the accelerator, do not brake, maintain steering, and allow the car to slow naturally✓
• CSteer sharply
• DSound your horn

Answer: Braking or sharp steering during aquaplaning causes a skid. You must ease off power and let the car slow naturally until tyres regain grip.

How should you drive around a bend at the correct speed?

• ABrake in the bend if you're going too fast
• BBrake before the bend, turn steadily, and accelerate gently after✓
• CMaintain constant speed through the bend
• DAccelerate into the bend for better grip

Answer: The correct technique is brake-turn-accelerate: brake before the bend while the road is straight (tyres have better grip), turn steadily through the bend, and accelerate gently after to maintain momentum.

What is 'wheel spin'?

• AA driving technique
• BThe wheels rotating faster than the road surface, causing loss of traction and skidding✓
• CNormal driving
• DTurning a corner

Answer: Wheel spin occurs when you accelerate too hard, causing wheels to spin without gaining traction. This happens on ice or loose gravel and causes loss of control.

How should you avoid wheel spin on slippery surfaces?

• AAccelerate hard to maintain momentum
• BAccelerate smoothly and gently to maintain traction✓
• CUse the lowest gear possible
• DTurn steering wheel fully

Answer: Gentle, smooth acceleration allows the engine's power to be distributed to the wheels without overwhelming traction. Hard acceleration causes wheel spin and loss of control.

What is oversteer?

• ASteering with too much force
• BThe rear of the vehicle slides out and loses traction, causing the car to turn more sharply than intended✓
• CSteering when turning a corner
• DParking incorrectly

Answer: Oversteer (or 'fishtailing') occurs when the rear loses grip on slippery surfaces. The car turns more sharply than the steering input intended, which can cause a skid.

What is understeer?

• ANot steering enough
• BThe front of the vehicle loses traction and the car continues straight despite steering input✓
• CTurning a corner slowly
• DReversing

Answer: Understeer ('ploughing') occurs when the front tyres lose grip on a slippery bend. The car continues forward regardless of steering input, which is very dangerous.

How should you steer and brake while cornering?

• ABrake and steer at the same time for maximum control
• BSteer sharply then brake
• CBrake before the corner, then steer and accelerate gently✓
• DBrake in the middle of the corner

Answer: The correct technique is separate: brake while the road is straight to reduce speed, then steer smoothly through the corner, then accelerate gently. Braking while cornering reduces traction.

What should you do if your vehicle starts to hydroplane on standing water?

• ABrake immediately
• BSteer sharply
• CEase off the accelerator, do not brake, maintain course, and allow wheels to regain traction✓
• DAccelerate

Answer: Hydroplaning requires the same response as aquaplaning: ease off power, avoid braking or sharp inputs, and wait for grip to return. Braking or steering worsens the skid.

How does wind affect your vehicle handling?

• ANo effect
• BIt only affects motorcycles
• CSide winds can push your vehicle off course, especially on motorways or when passing large vehicles✓
• DWind improves braking

Answer: Side winds, especially from HGVs, can push your car across lanes without warning. You should grip the steering wheel firmly and be prepared to make small corrections.

What should you do if your brakes suddenly fail while driving?

• APump the brake pedal and look for an escape route
• BUse the handbrake gently while steering to a safe place
• CTurn off the engine
• DBoth A and B✓

Answer: Pump the brake pedal first (may restore pressure), look for an escape route, use the handbrake gently to avoid locking the wheels, and steer toward a safe place to stop. Both actions are needed for safety.