A dynamic state where the rotational force applied to the tires exceeds the available grip of the road surface. This causes the tire tread to slip and spin uselessly against the pavement, generating heat, smoke, and a sudden loss of forward acceleration. While sometimes induced intentionally for show, it drastically increases tire wear and reduces directional control.
Ease off the throttle in second gear, you're getting too much wheelspin coming out of the corner.
Also heard as
- tire spin
Related terms
Burnout
A maneuver where the driver spins the drive tires to heat them up and create smoke.
Peel out
To accelerate heavily from a standstill, causing the drive tires to lose traction and spin.
Electronic stability control
A computerized safety system that detects and reduces loss of traction to prevent skidding.
Limited-slip differential
A differential that transfers torque to the wheel with the most traction to prevent wheelspin.