Can A Toyota Camry Drift?

The Toyota Camry has earned a reputation as a family-friendly, reliable car. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a little fun behind the wheel. 

What could be more enjoyable than drifting it around a racetrack? But is it possible to drift in a Camry?

A Camry can drift. Though, because it is either FWD or AWD with a range of advanced safety features, it will be hard for you to initiate a drift. Often, the best option will be to use the handbrake.

It will be possible for you to drift in a Camry. But it might not be easy, as the car wasn’t designed to be driven like this. 

Keep reading to learn more about how you will be able to drift your Camry.

How You Can Drift In A Camry?

A Camry isn’t built for drifting. As a FWD or AWD, it will have a better grip on the road. This is a good way of keeping you safe when you are driving on slippery surfaces. 

However, this tight grip is the opposite of what you want when you are trying to drift a car.

Another problem is the safety features of the car. For example, it comes with a strong braking system and stability control. This is designed to stop your car from sliding, allowing you to make sure that you are always in control.

It should be noted that these difficulties aren’t exclusive to the Camry. They are similar across all AWD cars. To make things a little easier, some models have added a drift mode. 

But this isn’t the case with the Camry.

While these elements will make drifting with your Camry more difficult, that doesn’t mean that it will be impossible. You will just need to put in a little more effort.

Though drifting occurs at speed, it will often require small movements to make it work. You’ll need to recognize when the car is starting to understeer. Then, you’ll need to gently tap on the brakes. This will cause the vehicle to start oversteering. From there, you should be able to drift it around the corner.

In a Camry, you won’t be able to go for a long drift. But you should be able to get a few seconds of drifting before the limitations of the AWD and safety features can be felt. Often, the drift will more closely resemble a controlled slide.

Another tactic is to slow the car rapidly. In this case, you need to travel at a high speed. When you are ready to drift, turn the wheels in the right direction. 

Then, pull the handbrake. 

As the brakes kick in, the rear of the car will slide out. From there, all you need to do is take off the handbrake and pull away. We’ll have other ways to initiate a drift a little later.

Best Conditions For Drifting A Camry

In normal conditions, it can be difficult to drift a Camry. But, if you get the right mix of conditions, it will be possible. Here are some of the things that you should be looking for:

• Icy conditions. If the road is slippery, you will find it easier to slide. On the downside, it will be harder for you to stay in control of the vehicle.
  
• Wet roads. Another good opportunity to try drifting is when the roads are wet. This will reduce the amount of traction under the wheels, so you can slide a bit easier.
  
• Cheaper rear tires. Less tread means less grip on the road.
  
• Controlled environment. Drifting has the potential to be a dangerous activity. Because of this, you should make sure that you are always operating in a safe environment. In this case, if something goes wrong, you will be able to get the help you need quickly.
  

Ways To Start A Drift

There are plenty of ways that you can initiate a slide. Some of the best options include:

• Adding power. As you are midway through the corner, you can put your foot on the gas. This should help you induce some understeer.
  
• Shift lock. As you are going through the corner, you’ll need to quickly drop down gears. When you do this, the rear wheels might lock up. Then change back up the gears quickly and apply the power. This will give you enough torque to sustain the drift.
  
• Handbrake. As you are coming into the corner, pull up the handbrake, locking the wheels. As the car begins to spin take off the handbrake and allow it to spin. This is the most common option when drifting a Camry.
  
• Scandinavian flick. Before the corner, quickly turn your car in the opposite direction. This could create enough disruption to push the rear of the car out. From there, you will be able to start the drift.
  

Though these tactics are a good place to start, this isn’t a definitive list. There are plenty of other options for you to explore. 

Once you’ve picked what technique you want to use, it’s time to start practicing. It will often take you a few sessions before you can master the slide.

Safety Tips When Drifting In A Camry

If you are planning on drifting in a Camry, there are a few safety procedures that you should follow. 

First, you should make sure that you are only drifting in a controlled environment. This ensures that you will be able to get help if you need it. 

Plus, it will be illegal on the streets. If caught you could be facing a stiff fine.

It’s also important to make sure that you have the right safety equipment. Make sure that you have a flame retardant suit and a helmet. If you are at a track, these can often be rented.

Yes I know that might seem a bit overboard but safety should always be a priority. 

Finally, when you are drifting, you are always on the edge of control. One slip-up could mean that you lose control of the vehicle, resulting in an accident. 

Because of this, it’s best to take a few lessons before you try to drift on your own. As long as you apply these tips, it will be perfectly safe for you to start drifting.

Final Thoughts

Drifting a car can be a lot of fun. The good news is that you don’t have to miss out on this enjoyment if you have purchased a Camry. 

Though it might be a little harder to drift, you should be able to do this with professional training.