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Understeer and oversteer

intended path car's path sliding wheels Understeerturns too little – runs wide Oversteerrotates too much – rear swings out
Same bend, same speed and the same steering in both: the front wheels are turned into the bend. Understeer: the front wheels slide – the car turns too little and runs wide, but points roughly where it is going. Oversteer: the rear wheels slide – the rear swings out and the car rotates more than the driver wants. Green is the intended path, red is the car's path, and the dark marks are from the wheels that slide.

In understeer the front wheels lose grip and the car turns less than you want. Ease off the accelerator and straighten the wheel slightly so the tyres grip again. In oversteer the rear wheels lose grip and the back slides out. Steer where you want to go and ease off gently. The best skid is the one you avoid: low enough speed before the bend.

Example

On a slippery road the car keeps going straight even though you steer.

This is understeer. More steering does not help. Ease off, straighten a little and steer again when the tyres grip.

Look where you want to go, not at what you fear hitting. Your hands follow your eyes.
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Part of Car licence (class B): Winter, darkness and difficult conditions.