Putting on the Brakes

Stopping on a slippery surface requires more distance, so increase your following distance. Focus your attention as far ahead as possible — at least 20 to 30 seconds.

The best way to stop on a slippery surface is to use threshold or controlled braking and shift to neutral. Shifting to neutral takes the power away from the drive wheels and allows all four wheels to roll at the same rate. If you don't have anti-lock brakes, the best way to use threshold or controlled braking is the heel-and-toe method. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use your toes to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. Stop just short of locking the wheels.

If your heel leaves the floor, the ball of your foot pushes the pedal, and the wheels lock because you're controlling the brake with your thigh muscles, which are incapable of finer control.

Under the stress of trying to stop quickly, drivers almost inevitably overreact and lock the wheels. If this happens, use heel-and-toe action to release brake pressure one or two degrees, then immediately reapply it with slightly less pressure. Continue this "squeezing" action until stopped.

Anti-lock brakes are designed to prevent wheels from locking and retain steering control during panic braking. Sensors located at wheels detect lock-up. The antilock system relieves enough pressure to allow the wheel to turn, maintaining steering control.

You should use the heel-and-toe method with anti-lock brakes. Do not remove your foot from the brake or pump the pedal. If you apply too much brake pressure and the wheels lock momentarily, you might feel the brake pedal pulse back against your foot. This is normal. Just hold the brake pedal down and steer. Pumping the pedal works against the system by providing false information.

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