What does 'running fast and fishtailing' mean?

[OClayton]

Fishtailing is a common issue with rear-wheel-drive vehicles, often leading to various traffic accidents, especially when driving in rain, snow, gravel, or on slippery surfaces, where reducing speed and driving cautiously is essential to avoid fishtailing. Additional details are as follows: Drifting: Fishtailing is also known as drifting, where the rear wheels lose most (or all) of their grip, while the front wheels must maintain their grip. At this point, as long as there is a certain lateral force on the front wheels, the car will fishtail, resulting in a drift. Causes: Whether fishtailing ultimately occurs depends on multiple factors, including the friction coefficient between the tires and the road surface, the vehicle's speed, braking intensity, throttle size, front wheel angle, weight distribution, wheelbase, and suspension stiffness.

[RafaelLee]

When a car fishtails at high speed, it essentially means the rear wheels lose traction during fast cornering, causing the vehicle to slide sideways like it's dancing. As a car enthusiast, I often practice this at race tracks—it feels incredibly cool. Rear-wheel-drive cars like sports cars are more prone to this effect. To execute it, you need to control the steering wheel and throttle precisely; a slight turn can make the rear end slide out, creating that drift effect. However, this should only be attempted in professional settings or games—street driving is extremely risky, with the potential for rollovers or collisions. Remember: fun is fun, but safety comes first. Factors like tire pressure and wet roads affect the outcome, so master the technique before taking risks.

[ElainaLee]

Drift is a common driving hazard. When taking a sharp turn at high speed, the rear wheels may suddenly slide out, causing the car to lose control and skid sideways, which is extremely dangerous. Having driven for decades, I've witnessed many accidents caused by this, especially on rainy or icy roads. Simply put, rear-wheel-drive vehicles are more prone to this issue than front-wheel-drive ones because the rear wheels bear the thrust. Preventive measures include reducing speed when cornering, regularly checking tire tread and wear, and maintaining vehicle balance. Novice drivers should be especially cautious and not imitate movie stunts—real-life consequences can be disastrous in an instant. In emergencies, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel and avoid slamming on the brakes.

[OliveLynn]

Drift refers to the phenomenon of the rear end sliding during high-speed turns, primarily achieved through speed and rear-wheel drive. Quickly turning the steering wheel can cause the rear wheels to lose traction, resulting in the car body sliding sideways. This depends on the vehicle's center of gravity and road surface friction, with slippery or uneven tracks making it more likely to occur. When executed well, it can be used as a racing technique, such as precisely controlling the throttle angle, but sufficient practice is required to avoid accidents. The basic advice is to stay focused when driving fast, especially on curved sections.