I agree with everyone else here. It sounds to me like you were too heavy on the gas pedal into the turn, then way over compensated in the resultant skid. Is this your first rear wheel drive vehicle? They all do that, it's not the Xterra. Actually pick up trucks are worse because there's no weight in the back end. Definitely go out and practice in a wet parking lot. You'll find with experience you can easily avoid that fish tailing, and if it does kick out it can be brought back around easily too. Up north here we rear wheel drive people get to deal with that frequently in the snow!

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Al

[This message has been edited by Al_in_NY (edited 03-29-2001).]