Low Grip Tires in GTA: What Does It Mean?
In Grand Theft Auto Online, Low Grip Tires are a specialized modification primarily used to facilitate drifting. By significantly reducing the traction of a vehicle, they allow the wheels to spin more freely, enabling sustained slides that are otherwise difficult with standard tires.
How to Unlock and Install
Unlike most tire modifications, Low Grip Tires are not available at every Los Santos Customs.
- Location: You must visit the LS Car Meet and use the Mod Shop located inside the building.
- Menu: They are found under Wheels > Tire Enhancements.
- Cost: Typically around $500.
- Restriction: If you have a Drift Tune (introduced in the Chop Shop update) installed on a vehicle, the tire categories are often locked. You must remove the Drift Tune to access Low Grip Tires, though the Drift Tune itself is often a more effective "official" way to drift for supported cars.
Impact on Performance
FeatureEffect with Low Grip TiresTractionReduced by roughly 50% to 70%, making the car feel like it is driving on ice.Top SpeedHistorically used for a "speed glitch" with stanced suspension, though Rockstar has largely patched this out.AccelerationSignificantly hampered due to constant wheelspin when starting from a stop.BrakingDrastically worsened; stopping distances are much longer.
Top Recommended Vehicles
While you can technically put Low Grip Tires on almost any personal vehicle (including motorcycles), certain cars handle the reduced traction better for drifting:
- Dinka Futo GTX: Considered the "Gold Standard" for drifting due to its predictable handling and high rev range.
- Annis Remus: Excellent for mid-speed urban drifting.
- Banshee 900R: A high-power choice for those who want long, sweeping drifts.
- Benefactor Feltzer: A cheaper, highly effective option for beginners.
- Karin Boor: Surprisingly effective for off-road or dirt drifting.
Tips for Mastery
- Feather the Throttle: Unlike racing, you cannot simply hold the gas. Drifting requires constant "feathering" (tapping) of the trigger to maintain the slide without spinning out.
- Counter-Steering: Once the back end kicks out, steer in the opposite direction of the turn to keep the car balanced.
- Tapping the Handbrake: Use a quick tap of the handbrake (R1/RB/Space) to initiate the slide, then use the throttle to sustain it.
- Avoid Spoilers: While spoilers usually add traction in GTA, you want the least amount of grip possible for drifting. Installing a spoiler can actually make it harder to maintain a smooth slide.