Drifting is a style of driving whereby the driver makes use of the throttle, clutch, shifting gears, brake, and steering maneuvering to maintain a condition of oversteer in the car.
Drifting can be more complex than you think. The car control is made possible by the coordination of the level of the counter steer and the application of the brakes and accelerator (at the same time) to shift the overall balance of the car forth and back as it moves.
However the question is, what kind of transmission can you drift in? Can you drift in an automatic car?
Yes, you can drift in an automatic car by keeping the car in perfect control while it is in a specific gear, and must be proportional to the compression ratio to avoid damaging the automatic transmission.
Can You Drift in an Automatic Car?
Yes, drifting in an automatic car is possible but it is more difficult compared to drifting in a manual transmission vehicle.
The automatic transmission in cars differs from car to car though. Usually, drifting is done using a stick shift (gear) and since this is not present in an automatic car, drifting has to be done in another way.
When you want to drift in an automatic car, you need to keep the car under perfect control while it is in a special gear ratio. Controlling your vehicle while drifting is highly dependent on the power of the engine.
It needs to be proportional to the compression ratio. If the compression ratio is too high, it can lead to damage to the automatic transmission.
People ask this question often, “is it bad to drift in an automatic car?”. The answer is yes, it is bad to drift in an automatic car. Drifting in an automatic car puts your car at risk of being damaged.
Is it Harder to Drift in an Automatic Car?
Well, the difficulty in performing any task in this world is relative. What you term to be simple for you might be very difficult for others. It is just the same way that what you see to be difficult might be quite easy to pull off many people.
Well, to the best of my knowledge and experience, drifting in a manual transmission car is easier than drifting in an automatic car.
But some other people exaggerate the difficulty involved in drifting in an automatic car. It can be quite simple to learn though it will definitely take more time compared to the manual transmission car.
How to Drift in an Automatic Car?
Drifting in an automatic car involves lots of expertise. You need to really know how to do it to be able to do it. You need to see how it is being done to be able to do it, else, you might end up doing another thing.
You need to be able to carry out a 180-degree handbrake turn. Make use of traffic cones or other equipment to demarcate the tarmac. Keep doing this until you reach perfection.
The next thing you need to learn is counter-steering. You can carry this out by driving at 30 – 40 miles per hour and then ripping the handbrakes to control the direction of the car. When you are good at these techniques, then you are ready to learn how to drift in an automatic car.
You need to also learn how to brake as braking is a very important aspect of drifting you should be very good at.
This is because, drifting in an automatic car requires the use of handbrake or the emergency brake. If you do not know how to use this and when to, it will cause more damage to your car.
Having known all these points, we suggest you watch YouTube videos on how to drift in an automatic. Seeing a practical tutorial of it will give you the information you need. Therefore, go over to YouTube and watch some videos.
Is an Automatic or Manual Better for Drifting?
Drifting is however more enjoyable and better in a manual car. It is simple and pleasant. You can drift in your automatic car with the help of some other equipment but drifting is done mainly in manual cars because of the way you can shift the gear stick.
However, drifting in any car has other factors involved including the nature of the car and the driving style of the driver. The driver must know how to shift the gears efficiently and properly.
Does Drifting Damage Your Car?
Drifting can damage the transmission of your car. Drifting comes with other things such as oversteering and this can cause faults in the steering. In short, the automotive transmission of your car can be damaged by drifting.
Drifting is nice to watch, just as you know. If you are a drifter, I’m sure you get the thrills when you drift and it works out nicely. It is enjoyable but there are safety risks involved.
When you drift, you are putting a rough load on the transmission of your car – the bearings and the gear. It is advisable you drift with control and precision to avoid damaging the transmission of your vehicle.
Many drifters still say that the pros of drifting outweigh the cons, but is that the case actually? Drifting is a driving technique that requires a level of skill to navigate through curves, bends, turns, and corners.
As a result of the high acceleration involved, you will need to drive with complete care and caution. Drifting can also cause scratches and dents on your vehicle if you lose control of the car.
Pros of Drifting
What are the benefits of drifting? The following are some of the numerous advantages of drifting with your car.
- Drifting does not lend itself to easy breakage
- Drifting allows you to efficiently navigate through tight corners and turns
- You do not need much space to drift, you just need to be creative and skillful
- Some drivers observed that the batteries of their race cars lasted for a long period when they drifted consistently
These are just a few of the pros of drifting.
Cons of Drifting
Just as there are benefits, there are disadvantages involved in drifting.
- Not all cars can drift. The make of your car and the wheels it uses determine the drifting capacity of your car
- Some terrains are not perfect for drifting. You need specific roads and tracks to drift efficiently
- Your wheels can wear out much faster than normal.
Final Thoughts
Drifting is a cool experience and many drivers love it for the thrill and fun it brings. It is enjoyed best in manual cars because of the presence of the gear stick.
Drifting is all about making the best use of the gear stick and the throttle. You can drift in your automatic car by using the handbrake or the emergency brake but it is best you use a manual car for the best experience.
