Preventing Oversteer and Understeer During Driving: Useful Advice

When driving on wet roads, the risk of losing control of the car increases. Loss of control or tire slip usually occurs when the tires lose grip on the road surface. Improper tire conditions can also increase the potential for tire slip. These conditions are known as oversteer and understeer, and they are very dangerous as they raise the risk of accidents. How can you avoid oversteer and understeer while driving? Find out in our following article!

 

Weather conditions nowadays are unpredictable, and rain can occur at any time. Rainfall can lead to slippery roads, which increases the potential for oversteer and understeer. This is highly dangerous and can disrupt your journey, especially when traveling to crowded places like tourist spots or the annual festival We The Fest 2023. Before setting off, always pay attention to the condition of your car to avoid unwanted incidents. Do you know the tips to avoid oversteer and understeer? Let's read this article to the end for a more comprehensive explanation!

 

Understanding Oversteer

Oversteer is a condition of loss of control caused by the rear tires slipping or losing traction, resulting in the car's body tilting, which can be more challenging for novice drivers to control. This is because when the rear tires slip, the car tends to spin forward. This condition is often referred to as drifting and is more commonly experienced by rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicles. If the rear tires are worn out, the risk of oversteer increases. Front-wheel-drive cars have a lower potential for experiencing oversteer.

 

Causes of Oversteer

Cars can experience oversteer when the tires cannot grip the road surface properly. The causes can be worn-out tires, wet roads, or high speeds. Oversteer usually occurs when a car is turning at high speeds, which is commonly referred to as drifting. When driving at high speeds, the car may experience oversteer due to a failure to respond. The car becomes difficult to steer, feels unbalanced, and the steering may feel loose, making it challenging to control the car. Additionally, oversteer can occur when releasing the throttle mid-corner, causing a weight transfer to the front wheels that disrupts the car's balance. Abrupt braking during a turn can also cause oversteer.

 

Also read: Understanding the Function and Importance of Vehicle Stability Control Feature in Cars

 

How to Overcome Oversteer

Here are the ways to overcome oversteer that you can do:

 

1. Reduce Speed

The first thing you can do to overcome oversteer is to reduce pressure on the gas pedal. Do this gradually so that the tire traction can return to normal grip on the road.

 

2. Steer to a Safe Direction or Straighten the Wheel

Steer the steering wheel in a safe direction or straighten it. If the angle feels incorrect, avoid turning it straight. Avoid steering in the opposite direction to avoid the risk of more severe accidents. Improper turning angles can cause the car to spin and result in collisions.

 

3. Avoid Abrupt Braking

It is better not to brake suddenly as it will worsen your situation. Slow down gradually until the car stabilizes again.

 

4. Stay Fully Focused

If your car experiences oversteer, try to remain fully focused and avoid panicking. Staying fully focused can help you think of the necessary steps to overcome oversteer and control the steering.

 

 

Understanding Understeer

Understeer is a condition where the car is difficult to control when the steering wheel is turned, but the car continues to travel straight. The front wheels lose traction and enter the turn too quickly, making it difficult to control. This condition causes the car to continue moving straight and slide out of the track even when the steering wheel is fully turned. Understeer is more commonly experienced by front-wheel-drive (FWD) cars.

 

Causes of Understeer

The common causes of understeer are high-speed driving in turns and on slippery road surfaces. Other causes of understeer include worn-out front wheel brake systems or wheel alignments. Additionally, steering wheel and electrical system malfunctions can also cause understeer.

 

Also read: Understanding the Function of Spooring and Balancing in Cars and When to Do It

 

How to Overcome Understeer

To overcome understeer, the methods are almost similar to dealing with oversteer. Here are the ways to overcome understeer that you can do:

 

1. Keep Calm and Observe Surroundings

In an understeer condition, try to remain calm and avoid panicking. Panic can lead you to reflexively steer in the opposite direction while suddenly stepping on the brake pedal. This response is highly dangerous as it can increase the risk of an accident. By observing your surroundings, you can identify the necessary steps to keep yourself safe and reduce the risk of accidents.

 

2. Gradually Apply the Brake Pedal

As mentioned earlier, sudden braking is highly dangerous. It is better to apply the brake pedal gradually to reduce the potential for accidents. If you press the brake pedal too hard while the car is traveling at high speed or about to turn, the brake system may lock the wheels, causing the car to skid easily.

 

3. Release the Gas Pedal

It is better to slow down the car gradually by releasing the gas pedal gradually. If you press the gas pedal, the car's speed will increase, making it more difficult to control. If you press the clutch pedal, the car may coast and be difficult to control.

 

4. Turn the Steering Wheel

Turn the steering wheel system until you regain control of the wheels and they are directed straight. If you are in a turn, slowly steer the steering wheel towards the direction the car is skidding so that the car regains traction and gradually comes to a stop.

 

 

Tips to Avoid Oversteer and Understeer

You can avoid the occurrence of oversteer and understeer by paying attention to the following factors:

 

1. Slow Down When Turning

It is advisable not to drive at high speeds when going through turns, as accidents are more likely to happen. Slowing down your car when turning gives you time to observe other vehicles on the road and signal to others to create space.

 

2. Consider the Turning Angle

Before making a turn, you can calculate the turning angle first. This helps you adjust your car's speed accordingly. Sometimes, there may not be ample room for maneuvering in a turn, so considering your car's position and timing is essential to safely complete the turn.

 

3. Check Tire Condition

Prior to driving, inspect your tires and ensure they are always in optimal condition. Worn-out tires can increase the likelihood of both oversteer and understeer. Additionally, check the braking system and electrical system of your car to avoid potential accidents.

 

After experiencing and handling oversteer or understeer, it's advisable to take a break at the roadside. This is because such incidents can be stressful and tiring. Calm your mind to prevent panic, allowing you to resume driving with full concentration and a composed state. It's important to know that reckless driving can increase the risk of oversteer and understeer. Therefore, it's best to always drive calmly to ensure a safe journey to your destination.

 

To avoid oversteer and understeer, perform regular car maintenance and always check your car's condition before driving. If you need car rental services in Jakarta, consider renting from MPMRent. Currently, MPMRent has 8 branch offices and 18 representative branches spread throughout Indonesia. Moreover, MPMRent offers 15,000 vehicle variants for both office and personal needs. MPMRent always ensures that their cars are in the best condition for your driving comfort. Renting a car monthly or annually becomes easier with the best prices at MPMRent. Please contact the nearest car rental service in your city.