How to increase driving skills hints and tips for Grand Theft Auto 4

How to increase driving skills

Cars:

The buttons you use for driving in this game are different than previous GTA games. Unless you go to options to change back to classic mode, but then there will be problems when cell calls come in, and being able to drive while listening to missions as well as other frustrations... It took me a little bit to get the hang of it and not do 180's around intersections, curves and get it to a point where I felt comfortable taking a quick turn and not planning ahead on which object would be easier to crash into.

For starters get use to using your middle finger for the R2 (accelerate), and your index for the R1 (e-brake).

This is critical and wont take long to adjust to. When you are approaching a turn you want to use the e-brake but DON'T release acceleration while turning. Hold both down simultaneously but release the e-brake quickly. It will take some practice, and depending on the car and it's handling, will determine how long to hold the e-brake before you release around a turn. Cars like the sabre and dukes wont need much to swing the back end out.

Typically I find for the majority of cars holding the e-brake down just for a quick second while turning will work fine. If your going really fast you will need to brake using the L2 button a little bit before using the e-brake method. It'll take some practice but after a while it'll all become instinct.

Bikes:

This is a whole 'nother area that will take some time to get use to. Especially if you use the SIXAXIS. This method applies to both but I'm just going to explain L3 stick and controls. Really you don't need to use the e-brake. Typically you'll just go 90 degrees and stop short or crash.

The way the L3 stick works is you transfer weight to the back of the bike pulling back on the L3 button. And forward when pushing forward useful for stoppies and wheelies, but can be used to help a lot with cornering.

For example while taking a left turn, you don't want to just pull the stick down and left because you'll be putting your weight on the back tire and will under steer. You wont be able to turn and crash.

Instead put the weight on the front of the bike by pulling the analog stick left and up at an angle. You will whip the back end out. Now to balance out instead of just turning in the opposite direction, transfer the weight more to the back by pulling a little down in the same direction.

It's really a balancing act between the different amounts of weight you put on the front and rear during left and right turns. If a turn isn't that sharp, left and down will work fine, really sharp left and up, basically. It's really fun riding the bikes in this game once you get this down.

Cheers!

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