Can I Oversteer in a BMW Car?

Whether you drive a racetrack-ready BMW model like the BMW M Series or a BMW SUV more suited for everyday commuting, you may have wondered if BMW oversteering — a technique mostly used by racers to enhance performance on the track — is possible. Here at BMW of Northwest Arkansas, our team of BMW enthusiasts is happy to delve into the handling characteristics of oversteering.

What Is Oversteering?

Oversteering is an advanced driving technique that is mostly utilized in rear-wheel-drive BMW cars. The rear wheels only have to deliver power to the road and brake in RWD models, rather than also steering the car. Thus, if you put too much power through the rear wheels, they can lose traction on the road.

In the most extreme circumstances, oversteering can cause the rest of the vehicle to spin out of control, as the rear of the car circles around to the front.

What Causes BMW Oversteering?

Put simply, oversteering occurs when the car is turning and the driver applies more power to the accelerator than the car’s tires can handle. As a result, the tires slip and try to push the vehicle in the opposite direction of the turn, which can cause the entire vehicle to skid out of control.

Oversteering can also occur if you brake too hard while turning or if you suddenly remove your foot from the throttle.

How to Prevent Oversteering

While oversteering may look cool at the racetrack, it is not something you want to do when you’re driving to work. The foremost tip to prevent oversteering is to slow down, especially taking care not to accelerate too quickly through a corner. If you find yourself in an oversteering situation, don’t slam on the brakes; if you can, modulate the throttle.

Get More BMW Performance Tips in Bentonville, AR

For more tips on how to get the most out of your track-ready BMW car, stop by BMW of Northwest Arkansas. We also have a wide selection of rear-wheel-drive performance-focused BMW models ready to be test-driven. See you soon!