How to Perform a Burnout

A burnout is commonly thought of as an exhibition of power with no legitimate purpose. However, performing a burnout can significantly reduce the amount of time it takes a vehicle to reach the finish line of a drag race. A car is propelled only when the tires are able to push against the ground. Cold tires are much more prone to slipping against the ground than hot tires. Performing a burnout heats the rubber tires, thereby making them sticky. The stickier the tire, the more effective the tire will be in gripping the ground, thereby reducing the amount of time the vehicle takes to travel the distance of the drag race.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Manual Transmissions

1. Depress the clutch pedal while the vehicle is at a stop.

2. Move the gear shift handle into the first gear position.

3. Depress the accelerator pedal to raise the speed of the engine.

4. Release the clutch pedal with one foot while simultaneously pressing the accelerator pedal to the floor with the other foot.

5. Depress the brake pedal while the accelerator pedal is still depressed to prolong the burnout.

6. Release the gas pedal to stop the burnout.

Automatic Transmissions

7. Depress the brake pedal.

8. Move the gear shift selector to the first gear position.

9. Raise the speed of the engine by pressing down on the accelerator pedal. The farther the gas pedal is depressed, the greater the amount of pressure while have to be applied to the brake pedal.

10. Slowly release the pressure being applied on the brake pedal until the tires begin to spin. Once the tires begin to spin, maintain the same amount of pressure on the brake pedal.

11. Release the gas pedal to stop the burnout.