can you drift in an automatic car

[BethanyLynn]

Yes, you can drift in an automatic car, but it requires specific techniques and is generally more challenging than drifting with a manual transmission. The primary hurdle is the lack of direct clutch control, which is used in manuals to abruptly increase engine speed (a technique known as "clutch kicking") to break traction. Modern automatic transmissions, especially those with a manual mode or paddle shifters, offer more control, making drifting more accessible.

The key is to manipulate the car's weight transfer and use the transmission's features to your advantage. For a rear-wheel-drive automatic car, the most common technique is the power-over drift. This involves turning into a corner and applying a sharp, generous amount of throttle to overwhelm the rear tires' grip, causing them to slide. Using the transmission's manual mode to lock the car in a lower gear (like second) helps maintain high engine RPMs in the power band, the range where the engine produces peak torque, for consistent power delivery.

Cars with a torque converter automatic can sometimes perform a version of a clutch kick by quickly shifting from drive to neutral, revving the engine, and then shifting back to drive, but this is extremely harsh on the transmission and not recommended. Electronic stability control must be fully disabled, as it will automatically apply brakes to stop a slide.

Factor	Manual Transmission Advantage	Automatic Transmission Technique
Initiation	Easy clutch kick for sudden traction loss	Relies on power-over or inertia (flick)
Gear Control	Direct and instantaneous	Requires manual mode/paddle shifters
Sustaining Drift	Easy modulation via clutch and throttle	Throttle control and steering are critical
Transmission Stress	High on clutch	High on entire transmission system
Best Suited For	Beginners learning fundamentals	Drivers with good throttle control

Attempting to drift, especially for beginners, should only be done in a safe, controlled environment like a skid pad or a closed track. It's hard on tires, brakes, and drivetrain components. Front-wheel-drive automatic cars cannot power-over drift but can perform a controlled slide using a handbrake turn, though this is a different maneuver.

[AnthonyDella]

From my experience at track days, it's totally possible but way less intuitive. You're fighting the computer the whole time. The trick is to use the manual mode and force it to hold a low gear. You need a serious burst of throttle to kick the back end out since you can't just pop the clutch. It feels more like you're convincing the car to slide rather than telling it to. Definitely start with a powerful rear-wheel-drive car and be ready for some understeer before the tail hooks loose.

[ElisaAnn]

I learned the hard way in my old Mustang. Yes, an automatic can drift, but it's a brute-force method. Without a clutch to kick, you have to be very aggressive and precise with the gas pedal. It's tougher to control the angle of the drift once you're sideways. The car wants to straighten itself out, so you're constantly correcting with the steering wheel and modulating the throttle to keep the slide going. It's doable, but it takes a lot of practice and isn't as smooth as with a manual.

[IanDella]

Technically, yes, but it's not the preferred way. Drifting is about controlled loss of traction, and automatic transmissions are designed to maintain it. You lose that immediate connection between the engine and wheels. For a casual enthusiast, it's fun to try in an empty parking lot after it rains. Use the handbrake to start the slide and then feed in power. But if you're serious about drifting, you'll eventually want a manual. It gives you so much more finesse and control over the car's behavior.

[McAlejandro]

Modern performance automatics with paddle shifters have closed the gap significantly. In a car like a tuned Nissan 370Z with a good automatic, you can absolutely drift. The transmission holds gears right to the redline, allowing for sustained power delivery. The technique shifts from clutch management to expert-level throttle and steering input. It's still mechanically stressful, but the technology is there to make it a viable, though more expensive, way to get sideways. It proves that skill ultimately matters more than the transmission type.