Welcome to Palm City, where drifting isn’t just a skill—it’s an art form. If you’ve been struggling to score well in drift zones or feel like you’re spinning out instead of sliding clean, this beginner-friendly guide will walk you through the 10 essential tips you need to become a better drifter in Need for Speed Heat. From builds and mechanics to tuning and practice spots, we’ve got it covered.
1. Start With the Right Build
Too many players slap on all the drift parts they can find and wonder why their car feels broken. Drift builds in Heat are highly dependent on your car’s drivetrain, your own skill, and the specific drift trial you’re attempting. Here are some foundational builds to get started:
- Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD): Super Speed Cross Suspension, Elite Drag Tires, Pro Drift Differential.
- All-Wheel Drive (AWD): Super Showcase Suspension, Pro Drift Tires, Sport Drift Differential.
- Front-Wheel Drive (FWD): Pro Drift Suspension, Elite Drift Tires, Pro Drift Differential.
From there, make sure your engine has high-tier parts (Elite Plus or better), and use an Elite Plus clutch. Power matters, but it’s all about controllable power.
2. Set the Right Live Tuning
Your car’s responsiveness is key to smooth drifts. Use the Live Tuning menu to adjust the feel of your build:
- Steering Sensitivity: +5
- Downforce: -5
This setup makes your car feel lighter and more agile—perfect for sliding through tight turns and switching directions without lag.
3. Learn to Counter Steer
Counter steering is a foundational drifting skill. Once the rear starts sliding out, steer in the opposite direction of the drift to balance the car. This keeps the slide controlled instead of spinning out. Whether you’re using a beginner-friendly car like the Evo IX or testing high-tier builds, mastering this movement will greatly improve your consistency.
4. Understand the Drift Mechanic
To initiate a drift, the game relies on a two-step input:
- Let off the throttle briefly.
- Press the throttle again and immediately steer.
This primes the car to enter a slide. The sharper your steering input and the more drift-appropriate your build is, the easier it will be to hold the drift. This mechanic is core to how Heat handles drifting and separates casual sliders from true drifters.
5. Practice in the Right Places
Not all streets are created equal when it comes to drift practice. Here are three highly recommended spots:
- Port Murphy: Open area with shipping containers—perfect for learning how to control your car in tighter spaces.
- Palm City Raceway: A built-in drift zone with almost no obstacles—great for tracking progress.
- Dome Ruler (Eden Shores): A circular area for endless looping practice—ideal for refining consistency and car control.
Practice in these areas to master transitions, timing, and spatial awareness.
6. Use All the Available Space
You don’t need to stick to the road’s centerline. Drift points are awarded within a zone—not a lane. Feel free to push your drifts out to the grass or shoulder if it gives you a better angle or lets you extend the slide. Just don’t go too far—if you stray outside the designated area, the drift will cancel and your score resets.
7. Maintain Your 4x Multiplier
Your multiplier is what turns good runs into great scores. It’s essential to avoid anything that resets it. Here’s the breakdown:
- Safe to hit: Light posts, small signs, bushes.
- Avoid at all costs: Buildings, large trees, traffic.
Losing the multiplier just once can ruin an entire drift zone run. So learn which objects are harmless and which ones will end your combo.
8. Drift Angle and Length > Speed
A common mistake: thinking faster = better scores. In truth, drift points are calculated based on angle and duration, not raw speed. In fact, going too fast ends your drifts prematurely. Slow the car just enough to hold a longer, more aggressive drift and you’ll see a noticeable bump in your scores.
9. Use the Handbrake for Transitions
In races, handbrakes are often discouraged. But for drifting? They’re a useful tool. Use a light handbrake tap just before switching directions to help the car’s weight shift smoothly. This helps prevent awkward resets or failed transitions. Just don’t hold it too long—it can kill your speed and momentum.
10. Not All Cars Are Meant to Drift
Some cars just don’t drift well. And that’s okay. If you’re struggling with a certain car, it might not be you—it might be the car. For the best experience, try top-rated drift vehicles like the Mazda RX-7, which handles beautifully in both automatic and manual builds.
Trigger’s own list of the top five drift cars is worth checking out for more suggestions and full build breakdowns.
Final Thoughts
Drifting in Need for Speed Heat is less about mimicking real-life physics and more about understanding the game’s unique mechanics. Once you have the right build, understand the drift initiation method, and practice in the right areas, your skills will start to grow fast.
So hit the gas, prime the drift, and swing those corners like you own them.
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