Skid Control, Jackknifing, and Hazard Response
Skid types and recovery
In a braking skid, release the brake and steer where you want to go. In a drive-wheel (power) skid, ease off the accelerator - spinning drive wheels lose lateral grip and the tractor's rear steps out. In a front-wheel skid the steering is gone; release the brake so the front wheels roll again and grip returns. A rollover cannot be corrected once it begins, only avoided.
Jackknifing
Two forms with opposite causes. Over-braking locks the drive wheels while the trailer keeps pushing, folding the rig. A power jackknife comes from spinning drive wheels on a slick surface, letting the tractor's rear slide sideways. Prevention is identical: brake gently and progressively, accelerate smoothly, and let ABS work.
ABS
Hold the brake firmly and steer - do not pump. The system cycles pressure faster than any driver can. A lamp that stays on after the bulb check means ABS is disabled; you still have service brakes, but no anti-lock protection.
Hazards and response
For brake fade or failure, downshift, apply the parking brake gradually, and choose an escape ramp over a runaway. For a front tire blowout, hold the wheel straight, ease off the accelerator, and avoid hard braking. For fire, stop, shut off the engine, get everyone out, and aim the extinguisher at the base of the flames.
Traps
Pumping the brake with ABS; steering away from the skid; entering an escape ramp at speed rather than slowly and deliberately; braking hard during a blowout; accelerating hard on a wet grade and triggering a power jackknife.