How to Drift with a Front-Wheel Drive Automatic Car?
3 Answers
When you feel the car starting to skid, release the handbrake, then downshift, press the accelerator deeply, increase the speed, upshift, and repeat the previous steps. Press the accelerator, and when you feel the rear of the car sliding, quickly counter-steer and ease off the throttle slightly.
I've tried drifting with front-wheel-drive automatic cars a few times, and honestly, it's much harder than with rear-wheel-drive cars. The core technique involves using the emergency handbrake: yank it hard during high-speed turns to lock the rear wheels, causing the car to start sliding, then immediately release the handbrake and control the slide direction with throttle and quick steering. But the problem with automatic transmissions is their sluggish response—throttle control becomes imprecise, and during slides, the car is prone to sudden jerks or loss of control, even rolling over. I've also noticed that front-wheel-drive cars have a forward weight bias, making them unstable during drifts, with the rear end often swinging out too much. My advice: practice only on closed tracks, wear protective gear, and get guidance from a professional instructor. Attempting this on public roads is extremely risky—the consequences could be disastrous, potentially harming others.
I once practiced drifting on the track with a front-wheel-drive automatic car, and it felt really challenging. The basic steps involve entering the turn at high speed, pulling the handbrake hard to lock the rear wheels momentarily and create a slide, then releasing the handbrake and stepping on the throttle to maintain the sliding angle. However, the lack of a clutch in an automatic transmission limits precise throttle control, making the car prone to spinning or stopping abruptly. During my attempts, I often lost control, wore out the tires badly, and nearly hit the wall. The essence of drifting lies in balancing the grip between the front and rear wheels, but the natural weight distribution of front-wheel-drive cars is not conducive to rear-wheel slides. For ordinary people, it's better not to take the risk and instead go to a karting track or play drifting simulation games for a safer experience.
