Anyone lose control of their car.

It's called hydroplaning. It's happened to me, but not enough to cause an accident.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroplaning_(tires)

I've slid a few times on icy roads, but I've managed to keep it under control (at least, not hit anything).

like fordgtlover, I've hydroplaned a few times but not enough to have an accident.

Losing control is definitely no fun. My first car was a pos neon. I was driving with my buddy to college one winter morning, middle lane of 3, and lost control while going 50km/hr. It was surreal: my buddy and I just looked at eachother while we skidded for atleast a hundred meters before hitting the car in front of us. Pure ice, poor tires, cars boxing me in on both sides. I just had to sit there and take it. I can laugh at it now, but at the time is was like: "Oh *****, we're getting into an accident in 3 seconds!" "brace for impact!"

Hydroplaning can be caused by worn tyres but it's also caused by going too fast in the first place.

I've only lost control of my once. The rest of the times I lose traction, I have complete control of the car either done on purpose or unintentionally.

Hydroplaning is when the tires, worn or not, are no longer able to evacuate the water from the tread. This causes water to coat the tread and for you to lose traction with the road. Thus, you lose control and slide. Losing control is easier in rear wheel drive cars(fishtailing) due to a more direct power to weight transition. They tend to oversteer. For this reason front wheel drive cars are safer in general(easier to drive and control for the normal consumer, but not as fun to drive ). These tend to understeer. All wheel drive is definitely the best drivetrain for bad weather imo. These tend to understeer from factory, but can be tuned to oversteer or be neutral. The best remedy for taking control of the car when you experience hydroplaning are these following rules:
1) Ease off the gas. Do not abruptly let off the gas. This can send you into an uncontrolled spin in some circumstances.
2) Do NOT hit the brake. This will only cause you to lose traction even more, making the situation even more dangerous.
3) Countersteer the wheel from left to right while centering on the direction you want to go in.
4) Once you feel the tires bite and gain traction again, slowly accelerate and get back up to a safe speed slowly. Repeat if necessary.

Technically, these somewhat follow the steps to drifting. Those who know this will agree with me.

Same goes with snow and ice. It's the same basic concept. Thanks for the tutorial, fenix!

Yeah, hydroplaning it is. I have hydroplaned multiple times, but luckily without any accidents happening.
Lost control of icy roads as well though, even doing a 720 degree. Worst result being a badly scratched/dented back fender.

Well whatever caused it I hope you're doing okay.

No problem. I hope this comes in handy and keeps you guys safe in the future during unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances.

I've lost control of mine three times due to wet roads. Rear wheel drive, loads of power with no computer assisted driver aids (traction control etc) and too much throttle at the time. Lucky I've come away OK, as has the car, but it has made me a better driver and I've learned not to be in such a hurry.

Knowing how your car behaves in all different situations, road conditions, and learning how to control it in all those conditions will make you a safer driver. This can take a while to acquire this skill though. Taking it slow will also allow you more time to react. However, you must react correctly lest you incur an even greater hazard.

Exactly. I've done quiet a few different driving courses with my little Echo, and its definitely been a good experience since each time I was able to safely push my Echo well over the limit to see how it would respond in different conditions.

we call it aquaplaning

make sure you do the reverse if you have a RWD car

i almost lost the back end oversteering.. i had just driven through some thick mud [damn farmers] and dont have very big grooves on my toyo T1R tyres, so they had filled with mud, wen to turn and car just carried over a bit, those tyres are great for dry-damp conditions, but when you get standing water.. not good, theyre too wide and dont dig though it,, one time when narrow is better...

You might want to try Toyo's all season Proxes4's. They're one of the only V rated all seasons I know of. I've had them twice before I switched to the Falken Ziex.