How to do a burnout with an automatic transmission

Burnout goes both ways. Some people love burnout, while others consider it a way to waste money, rubber and time.

We tend to fall into the group that enjoys burnout. So we bring you this video from the folks at Team O'Neill at the Rally School.

Host Wyatt Knox explains how to do a burnout in an automatic transmission car. It's much easier than with a manual transmission, but make sure your car can handle the burnout without damage before rushing out to try it yourself.

The ideal setup is for rear-wheel drive vehicles, but front-wheel drive vehicles tend to be fine. All-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles should be avoided, as attempting a burnout can cause serious damage.

For automatic transmissions, simply step on the brake with the left foot and the throttle with the right foot. The important thing is not to depress the brake pedal all the way down. Start depressing it about halfway and adjust as necessary. This way, you will not be full braking and the wheel will be lighter.

Then balance the brake and throttle to generate wheelspin and hold the brake stand as long as you like (or as long as the rubber lasts) or roll out of it and into a burnout. With a little practice, you'll be doing it in no time, just like a pro at the drag strip.

In fact, a controlled environment, like a drag strip, is an ideal place to practice. Anywhere else, you're just looking for trouble.