Arriving at a traffic light at midnight in your 2002 Hyundai Tibouran, you suddenly think, “I’m going to do a burnout, there is no one around.”
You throw the automatic transmission in “1”, hold the brake and the accelerator, and release the brake expecting to spin the tires like the Fast and Furious movies!
What? Nothing happens! Well, that is because you didn’t read this AMAZING “how-to” guide on doing a burnout with an automatic transmission.
What is burnout in a car?
A burnout (also known as a peel out, power brake, or brakestand) is the act of keeping a vehicle stationary while spinning its wheels, the friction from the condition heats and smokes the tires.
While the burnout became a popular phenomenon in California, it was originally created by Buddy Houston, his brother Melson and David Tatum II at Ted Edwards Drag Strip in Fairburn GA (later called Houston Bros Drag Strip and Reds Drag Strip) in mid-1960s.
Why people do burnout?
They ENHANCE your life! There are few things more satisfying in the car-loving world than an outstanding burnout (or great donut).
You and your friends are driving and hanging out together. There are your over-inflated tires that are spinning, pulsing, blowing themselves into vapor while you inhale a thick cloud of tire smoke that has perhaps passed the caution mark and maybe just skirted above “a bunch of noise.” You just may have made a few other car enthusiasts quite happy, too.
Burnouts come in shapes and sizes. There are the large, angry muscle burnouts that you might see from a Dodge Charger, Ford Mustang, or a sleeping E63 AMG Mercedes.
There are then squealy nasty rubber burning experiences from variants such as your typical Honda Civic.
You can usually observe this species in the wild by the loud raspy popping and snapping noise associated with them doing angry burnouts with the these front wheel drive (FWD) hatchback looking as if it is hovering above the ground as the two front tires are creating heat and friction in which the driver is managing to burn rubber through the intersection.
Of course, this will also include any Subaru Impreza WRX’s when they are doing their all-wheel drive (AWD) launches from stop light to stop light.
You may even see a motorbike doing a stoplight burnout, which is a different type of creature altogether, and it consists of getting all of the weight on the front tire, and rev-ing the throttle all the way to the rev limiter, with a sound that would indicate the tires have reached terminal velocity.
This behavior has been studied for at least one hundred years by biologists, but we’re still perplexed at the thinking and motivations behind these types of displays.
Is it to stick to the man and institutional authority? Are they just warming their new tires to get more grip for this impending drag race? Or are they just doing it to do it?
Manual vs Automatic Transmission Burnouts
While I can’t site a source for this claim, I think it’s safe to assume that if you’ve ever seen a burnout, it was probably done in a manual transmission, rear wheel drive (RWD) car. People tend to do burnouts in RWD cars with a manual transmission for good reason, it’s just so much easier.
All you have to do is put the car into first gear, push in the clutch, mash the gas to build up some revs, then quickly let out the clutch, and you’ll be burning rubber in no time.
Of course, this is all assuming you have the power to spin the tires in the first place. If you don’t, then you’re ultimately toast, either smoking your clutch, shattering your drive shaft, exploding your diff, or destroying your transmission. That energy has to go somewhere, and if your tires are too sticky, then something is going to break.
Is Doing Burnouts Illegal?
Let’s face it: if you want to do a burnout, you are playing with fire here. Unless you have the express permission of a landowner or are on your own property, you could be fined thousands of dollars for damaging property.
The reason is simple: most parking lots had stripes painted on them. When you are spinning your tires all around and acting recklessly, it’s going to wear off that paint. Now, when the property owner has to go repaint, the cost is being passed down to you.
This is first-hand knowledge, so take that for what it is, just remember the cameras on many of these private buildings around parking lots are way better than you think they are. Also hint, they can read your license plate.
If you’re thinking you want to burn out in traffic, again, a little different situation. First, make sure there are no people around, in the way, or turning left into the lane of traffic coming at you. You certainly don’t want to end up like the driver of this Ford Mustang leaving “cars and coffee” (see video below).
Once again, all this must be thought of before you do any sort of burnout or drift, not that I’m assuming you are okay with breaking whatever law is preventing this in your area.
From experience, we are all going to do things in our cars that aren’t cool and/or illegal, it’s just part of being an enthusiast.
Also, there is nothing in this article that will protect you from the law, however, you just have to be street smart about this, and never hurt another motorist or pedestrian.
Safety First
Don’t accidentally hurt anything but your tires. You’ll have to keep your vehicle under control, as that’s your responsibility as a driver.
Being able to do a sick burnout in Need for Speed doesn’t mean you can do that in real life. What’s even better, go to a performance driving class and get actual instruction and experience in a controlled environment.
It’s good to be aware that every time your car burns out, you’re wearing out parts more quickly, so check the color of your transmission fluid, check your clutch for a burning smell, and check your car more frequently. Each time you add heat, power, and force to your car, you’re also going to break something.
How to Do a Burnout in an Automatic (Rear Wheel Drive)
- Turn off traction control if your car lets you. See the owner’s manual for how.
- Press down on the brake pedal with your left foot and put the car into drive.
- Mash the gas pedal to the floor with your right foot. Your rear tires should start spinning. You are now doing a burnout.
- If the rear tires don’t start spinning immediately, carefully release the pressure on the brake pedal until the rear tires start to spin.
How to Do a Burnout in an Automatic (Front Wheel Drive)
- If your car allows you, turn off your traction control. Consult your owner’s manual for the exact steps to do this.
- Now, pull your emergency brake and make sure it is tightened all the way. This is important because it will lock your rear tires solid so your front tires can spin freely.
- Now just put your left foot on the regular brake and put your vehicle into drive.
- You are now ready to do a burnout. Release the brakes and quickly mash down the throttle as hard as you can. At this point, your front tires should start to spin, and you’re DOING A BURNOUT!
- Make note that if your front tires aren’t spinning at all and you are not seeing or smelling burnt tires at all, then you need to stop so you don’t destroy your vehicle.
Tips for Doing a Burnout With an Automatic Transmission
Assuming you are not getting the results you want to try some old rubber. Ask tire shops in your area if they put overstock tires in the garbage; old tires may be a source one wouldn’t think to collect. They may give them to you!
Another trick is to spray water on the ground around the tire that you want to spin so you are lowering the traction level and offering better opportunity to spin without much effort. Oil or whatever lubricant you want also works.
Also, I should mention, if your car does not let you turn off the traction control function you probably aren’t going to get very far on this mission since your vehicle will be working against you.
Disadvantages of Burnout
Honestly, other than hardcore racing and motorsports, burnouts are not something good. Just roar a car engine on the streets, be who? There are no masculine points for this claim to fame. It is childish and ultimately pointless. Also, the thick clouds of burning tires put into the atmosphere are toxins to the environment.
Also, if a burnout is not executed properly a tire may ignite as the tire explodes. This poses a danger to the car and the driver’s life.
So again, if you are not in the motorsports scene, don’t seek out foolishness and cause uninvited trouble for yourself; be a Good Samaritan.