burn out
To have one's tires skid against the ground; to peel off, peel out.
Burn out: spinning tires until they smoke and grip fails
A burn out occurs when a driver applies maximum throttle while the brakes are held, or accelerates hard from a standstill, causing the drive wheels to spin faster than the vehicle moves forward. The tires lose grip on the pavement and skid violently against the road surface, generating extreme friction and heat. The rubber compound breaks down, releasing smoke and a distinctive burnt smell. The vehicle may move forward slowly or not at all, depending on brake pressure and surface conditions.
The physics is straightforward: tire slip speed exceeds the adhesion limit of the rubber-to-asphalt interface. Modern vehicles with electronic traction control can prevent unintended burn outs by cutting ignition timing or applying individual wheel brakes. On drag strips and at racing events, drivers intentionally perform burn outs in the staging area before a run, heating the tire compound to increase grip for the actual acceleration.
Burn outs damage tires rapidly, tearing away tread and sidewall rubber. A typical street burn out can reduce tire life by hours of normal driving. The heat can also degrade tire structure and cause blowouts if sidewall integrity is compromised. On performance vehicles with limited-slip or locking differentials, the uneven heating between left and right tires during a burn out can produce dramatic pulling or fishtailing when grip returns.
The term carries a secondary meaning in mechanic's shop talk: to burn out a clutch means to slip it excessively under load until the friction material glazes or disintegrates, rendering it non-functional. Similarly, a burned out bearing is one whose race has overheated and lost its shape or surface finish.
Intentional burn outs are illegal on public roads in most jurisdictions and violate reckless driving statutes. They are permitted in controlled motorsport environments, show venues, and private properties with owner consent. The practice leaves visible black marks on pavement that can persist for weeks, making burn outs a visible and prosecutable form of vehicle abuse.