What happens if you brake too harshly with a locked wheel?

When braking too harshly with a locked wheel, the primary effect is that the vehicle may skid or lose control. This scenario occurs because when a wheel is locked, it cannot rotate, which prevents the tire from maintaining grip on the road surface. Locked wheels lead to a loss of traction, which is critical for steering and control.

In typical conditions, when a vehicle is in motion, the tires need to roll to help steer and maintain control. If you apply the brakes too forcefully to the point of wheel lock-up, the vehicle can slide, especially on slippery surfaces like wet or icy roads. This loss of traction can lead to skidding and make it difficult to steer the vehicle in the intended direction, significantly increasing the risk of an accident.

Maintaining proper braking techniques, such as using threshold braking or anti-lock brakes (ABS) if available, helps prevent wheel lock-up. In this way, the driver retains better control over the vehicle, reducing the chance of skidding or losing control during heavy braking situations.