In a front-wheel-drive vehicle, a power skid occurs when the front tires do what?

• A. The brakes lock and you skid backward
• B. The rear tires skid
• C. Your front tires spin when you accelerate
• D. The steering wheel locks

Answer: (C)

Power skid happens when the driven wheels lose traction because of too much engine torque during acceleration. In a front‑wheel‑drive car, the front tires are the ones receiving power, so if you stomp on the gas—especially on a slick or loose surface—the front tires can spin instead of gripping the road. That spinning means you’re not effectively propelling the car or maintaining steering control, so the car slides forward rather than gaining predictable traction. This is different from a braking skid, where the brakes lock and you skid due to stopping force; it’s also different from a rear skid, which involves the back tires losing traction, and from a steering wheel locking, which isn’t the typical result of accelerating. To recover, ease off the accelerator, allow the tires to regain grip, and steer smoothly toward your intended direction; traction control can help limit spin if your car has it.