Can You Drift In An Automatic? (2024)

Updated on July 27, 2022

There is a lot of debate in the automotive world about whether or not it is possible to drift in an automatic transmission car. Some people believe that it can be done, while others think that it is impossible.

While you can drift with an automatic, it’s quite different than drifting with a manual car. It is more important to have a rear-wheel-drive car when drifting than an automatic as it makes taking corners easier.

In this blog post, we will explore the topic of drifting in automatic cars and try to come to a conclusion about whether or not it is possible.

What’s Drifting?

Drifting is a driving technique where the driver intentionally oversteers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels or all four wheels while maintaining control from entry to exit of a corner.

A car is drifting when the rear slip angle is greater than the front slip angle and the front wheels are pointing in the opposite direction of the turn (e.g. car is turning left, wheels are pointing right).It can be said that drifting is power sliding with purpose.

While drifting, it is important for the driver to maintain control of both the throttle and steering.

The throttle must be used judiciously to keep the car’s speed up, while at the same time not going too fast and losing control. The steering must be used to initiate the drift, as well as to keep the car going in the desired direction.

Drifting is often associated with Japanese cars and culture, although it can be done in any car. Drifting has become a popular sport, with professional drifting competitions held all over the world.

There are three main types of drifting: power sliding, brake sliding, and clutch kicking.Power sliding is when the driver intentionally oversteers and causes loss of traction in the rear wheels while maintaining control from entry to exit of a corner.

Brake sliding is when the driver uses the brakes to cause a loss of traction in the rear wheels and initiates the drift.Clutch kicking is when the driver quickly disengages and then re-engages the clutch, causing the rear wheels to spin and initiating the drift.

Drifting can be done in any car, but some cars are better suited for it than others.

Japanese cars are often thought of as the best cars for drifting because they typically have rear-wheel drive (which is necessary for drifting), good weight distribution, and a low center of gravity. However, any car can drift if it is driven correctly.

Can You Drift In an Automatic?

Drifting is a technique that is often associated with manual transmission cars. This is because, in order to drift, the driver must be able to control the car’s speed and power output with the throttle and clutch, which is only possible with a manual transmission.

However, it is possible to drift in an automatic car. To do this, the driver must use the brakes to cause a loss of traction in the rear wheels, and then quickly engage and disengage the throttle to make the rear wheels spin. This will cause the car to drift.

It should be noted that it is much more difficult to drift in an automatic car than it is in a manual car. This is because the driver does not have as much control over the car’s speed and power output.

How to Properly Drift In an Automatic?

If you’re looking to drift in an automatic car, there are a few things you need to know. This guide will teach you how to properly drift in an automatic car, so you can enjoy the excitement of sliding around corners without having to deal with a manual transmission.

One of the most important things to know when drifting in an automatic is how to properly use your throttle. Unlike a manual transmission, where you can just slam on the gas and hold the clutch in to get going, an automatic needs a bit more finesse.

You’ll need to ease into the throttle so that the car doesn’t spin out or stall. Once you have a feel for how much throttle is too much, you can start playing around with how hard you hit the gas.

Another important thing to keep in mind when drifting in an automatic is your braking. You’ll need to use your brakes to slow down for corners, but you don’t want to lock up your wheels and cause yourself to spin out.

Instead, use your brakes to lightly slow down for corners, and then get back on the gas as you exit the turn. This will help keep your car going in a straight line and prevent you from having to make sudden steering corrections.

One final tip for drifting in an automatic is to use your handbrake. The handbrake can be a great way to initiate a drift, and it can also help you stay in a drift once you’ve started. Just remember not to use it too much, or you’ll end up doing donuts instead of drifting!

With these tips in mind, you should be well on your way to enjoying some great drift action in your automatic car. Just remember to take things slowly at first, and build up your speed as you get more comfortable with the car.

Soon enough, you’ll be sliding around corners like a pro.

Advice For First Time Drifters

First and foremost, you’ll need a car that is capable of Drift racing. Almost any rear-wheel-drive car can be modified for drifting, but some cars are better suited for the task than others.

For example, the Nissan 240SX and Toyota AE86 are popular choices among professional drifters. These cars have a relatively low center of gravity and good weight distribution, making them ideal for sliding around corners.

Once you’ve got your drift-ready car, it’s time to hit the track! If you’re just starting out, it’s important to not get too aggressive with your driving. Take things slowly at first and get a feel for how your car behaves when drifting. As you become more comfortable with the technique, you can start pushing your limits a bit more.

One of the most important things to remember when drifting is to maintain control of your car at all times. This means keeping your speed in check and being smooth with your steering inputs. If you start to spin out or lose control, don’t panic!

Just gently ease off the throttle and steer into the skid until you regain traction.With these tips in mind, you’re ready to go out and start drift racing! Just remember to practice safe driving habits and have fun!

Can You Drift With a Front-Wheel-Drive Car?

The simple answer is yes, you can drift, but only using the brake method. Drifting requires a rear-wheel-drive car with a limited-slip differential. This is because the tires need to be able to grip the road while at the same time spinning at different speeds.

With a front-wheel-drive car, the engine power is sent to the front wheels which makes it difficult to make the rear wheels lose traction and start sliding.

There are some people who have been able to drift front-drive cars, but it takes a lot of skill and practice.

It’s also important to note that you will likely damage your car if you do manage to drift it. So unless you’re an experienced drifter, we would recommend sticking to rear-wheel-drive cars.

There are a few ways to drift a front-drive car, but the most common and most basic method is to use the brake. This involves using the handbrake to lock up the rear wheels while at the same time turning the steering wheel into the corner.

This will make the rear of the car slide out and you can then control it by using the throttle and steering. As we mentioned before, this method is more difficult with front-drive cars as there is less weight over the rear wheels. This means that you will need to be extra careful not to oversteer and spin out.

If you’re still determined to drift a front-drive car, then we would recommend starting with a lower-powered car such as a basic Honda Civic. This is because it will be easier to control and there will be less chance of damaging your car.

FAQs

Can Drifting Damage My Car?

Drifting can definitely damage your car if you’re not careful. The biggest risk is to your tires and wheels, as they will be sliding around on the pavement a lot. This can cause them to wear down prematurely or even break if you hit a curb or other obstacle.

Your suspension and brakes can also suffer from drifting. The constant stress of being sideways can cause components to loosen or fail completely. And if you’re not using proper drift techniques, you can end up overloading your brakes and causing them to fade or fail.

Of course, all this depends on how hard you’re pushing your car while drifting. If you’re just lightly sliding around corners, then the risks are much lower. But if you’re going all out and trying to drift like a professional, then the risks go up significantly.

So if you’re just starting out, we would recommend taking things easy at first. Get a feel for your car and how it behaves when drifting.

And be sure to inspect your tires, suspension, and brakes regularly to make sure everything is in good condition. With a little care and practice, you can drive your car without damaging it!

What Modifications Can Improve My Car’s Drifting Performance?

If you’re serious about drifting, then there are a few modifications that can help improve your car’s performance.

The first is to upgrade your tires to a more high-performance option. This will give you a better grip and allow you to drift for longer without losing traction.

You might also consider upgrading your suspension. This will help keep your tires in contact with the ground, even when cornering at high speeds.

And finally, you can install a limited-slip differential. This will allow both wheels to spin at different speeds, which is essential for drifting.

Of course, these modifications can be expensive, so we would only recommend them if you’re serious about getting into drifting.

Otherwise, just focus on practicing your techniques and learning how to control your car. With a little time and effort, you’ll be drifting like a pro in no time!

Do You Need a Special License to Drift?

No, you don’t need a special license to drift. However, we would recommend taking a few driving lessons from a professional instructor. This will teach you the basics of car control and help you understand how your car behaves on the road.

Once you have a good understanding of the basics, then you can start practicing your drifting skills. But remember to take things slowly at first, and only attempt to drift in areas where it’s safe to do so.

So there’s no need for a special license, but we would still recommend getting some professional help before you start drifting. With a little practice, you’ll be sliding around corners like a pro in no time!

Do You Need a Special Car to Drift?

No, you don’t need a special car to drift. In fact, most people who drift use their everyday car. However, there are a few things that can make your life easier.

The first is to get a car with rear-wheel drive. This will make it easier to initiate and maintain a drift. The second is to get a manual transmission. This will allow you to control the car’s speed more easily and prevent the wheels from locking up under hard braking.

Of course, these are just recommendations. You can drift in any car, as long as you have the skill and practice. So don’t be discouraged if you don’t have a rear-wheel-drive manual transmission car. With a little effort, you can drift just about anything!

Are There Drifting Competitions?

Yes, there are drifting competitions all over the world. These events usually involve a series of timed runs, where drivers have to navigate through a course while drifting. The driver with the fastest time is declared the winner.

Of course, not everyone can be a professional drifter. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with it! There are plenty of grassroots drifting events all over the world that anyone can enter.

So if you’re looking for some competitive action, be sure to check out your local drift scene!

Conclusion

Yes, you can drift in an automatic car. However, it is more difficult to do so than in a manual car. You will need to use your brakes to lightly slow down for corners and then get back on the gas as you exit the turn. You can also use your handbrake to help initiate and maintain a drift.

Just remember to take things slowly at first, and build up your speed as you get more comfortable with the car. Soon enough, you’ll be sliding around corners like a pro!

For more information, check out these other articles:

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