What is the Difference Between Drifting and Fishtailing?
4 Answers
Drifting and fishtailing are different in the following ways: Fishtailing: Fishtailing occurs when the vehicle is not out of control. At the turning point of a curve, the front wheels act as the dynamic pivot point for steering, while the rear of the car slides dynamically, aligning the vehicle's posture with the exit direction of the curve. It resembles a flat sector shape, where the vertex is the front of the car, the two sides represent the initial and final postures of the fishtail, and the arc is the sliding path of the rear. Drifting: Drifting, on the other hand, involves adjusting the car's posture to align with the exit direction of the curve upon entry, maintaining this posture until the drift ends, and utilizing the car's speed and inertia to slide through the curve. In this state, there is no fixed dynamic pivot point; instead, the entire car dynamically slides along the optimal path for the curve. During a drift, it feels as though the car is sliding sideways on ice.
Drifting and fishtailing are fundamentally different. Drifting is the intentional art of making a car slide, where the driver controls the steering wheel and throttle during a turn to let the rear wheels slide out while maintaining vehicle stability. It is commonly seen in professional racing tracks or performances, where drivers master the technique through practice to navigate corners precisely, showcasing skill and enjoyment. Fishtailing, on the other hand, is an unintentional loss of control, often occurring on slippery roads or during sudden braking and sharp turns, where the rear of the car starts to sway like a fish's tail. The driver struggles to maintain control, which can easily lead to accidents. It is typically a mistake in everyday driving, requiring corrective steering to regain stability, with safety being the top priority. From my experience, drifting is more like a sport, while fishtailing is an accidental error.
After driving for so many years, I often encounter tailspin issues during rainy or snowy weather. That's when the rear wheels suddenly lose traction, causing the car to skid out of control with the tail swinging back and forth, which is very dangerous. You need to counter-steer promptly to correct it. Drifting is completely different—it's a technique used by professional drivers, intentionally making the car slide sideways through corners on dry surfaces by quickly steering and coordinating the throttle. It feels thrilling but is controllable, practiced only on tracks to avoid accidents. The drivetrain also plays a role—rear-wheel-drive cars are more prone to drifting but also more susceptible to tailspin. Normally, it's essential to use good tires and maintain balanced tire pressure to prevent tailspin and ensure safety.
From a technical perspective, drifting is the intentional creation of rear-wheel slippage, where the driver uses throttle and steering to control the slip angle, allowing the vehicle to slide sideways through a turn, requiring repeated practice to achieve precision. A fishtail, on the other hand, is an unintended skid-induced tail swing, such as when rear wheels lose control on icy surfaces or during high-speed turns—it's unpredictable and often carries a risk of rollover. The underlying principle involves changes in traction and center of gravity: drifting maintains continuous power output, while a fishtail resembles an unbalanced wobble. Maintaining the vehicle's chassis and braking system can reduce the frequency of fishtails.
