Part 7

Discover all the ways to recharge your Nitrous Oxide in Need for Speed Heat, from powerslides and drafting to near misses and J-turns. Maximize your boost!

There are many ways to recharge your Nitrous Oxide (N2O) in Need for Speed Heat, and most can be done in explore mode. You need at least level 1 nitrous oxide to utilize most of these techniques, and it's also possible to lose nitro. Here are the techniques found:

a. Powerslide

The most common way to recharge the Nitrous gauge. Drift through corners; the longer you drift, the more nitrous you'll get. Avoid crashing into walls, as this will cause you to lose all accumulated nitro. Using the handbrake on a corner is the easiest way to initiate a powerslide. You can achieve this without the handbrake or even the normal brake, but it's less advisable. The minimum gain is 50, but you'll easily get more than 100.

b. Drafting

Stay behind another opponent for a short period to gain nitrous. You'll get a minimum of 50, and the longer you stay drafted, the more nitrous you'll receive. This technique takes advantage of the other car's aerodynamics, which not only provides nitro but also accelerates your car faster. In explore mode, you can only draft against 'tuned cars' (those you can challenge for outrun races).

c. Spray Show

This can typically only be done once per race. You must have nitrous purge at least at level one. Stop accelerating and use nitrous; steam will emit from your car, and the amount depends on your nitrous purge level. This grants 100 nitrous but reduces your speed. It's best performed during the countdown.

d. Avoid Accident (Near Miss)

Successfully avoid traffic by mere inches to gain nitrous. If you don't execute this correctly, you will crash. You'll get 100 nitrous for the first near miss, 100x2 for the second, and so on, up to a maximum of 100x5.

e. Reverse

Only recommended when winning by a significant margin. Drive in reverse without hitting anything to gain nitrous. Hitting anything will cause you to lose any nitro you were accumulating. You'll get a minimum of 50, and the longer you drive in reverse, the more nitrous you'll gain.

f. J-turn

This technique is best performed while driving in reverse. Turn left or right depending on your side of the road, and then continue driving forward. Like the Spray Show, it doesn't always work and isn't a wise choice. Successfully performing a J-turn grants 500 nitrous, plus any nitrous gained from driving in reverse.

g. 360

Perform a full 360° turn without hitting anything. This is relatively easy and rewards you with 400 nitrous.

h. Lead Lap

This can only be done during races. Be in first place when you complete a lap. You get 150 nitrous the first time, and then 150x2 for subsequent lead laps.

i. Gained Position

One of the easiest methods, especially if you start last. Gain positions by overtaking opponents. You get 50 nitrous for gaining 3rd place, 100 for gaining 2nd, and 200 for gaining 1st.

j. Head Start

Start the race in first place. In Sprint, Drag, and Circuit races, this is easier as cars line up. In URL races, with multiple rows of cars, if you're not in the front row, you miss out on 100 nitrous points. The trick is to release the handbrake at the precise moment; releasing too early causes a burnout, and too late results in starting the race while braking. If you don't achieve a head start, there will likely be a car in front of you to draft.

k. Burnout

Perform a burnout before the race starts. You'll receive extra nitrous depending on the duration of your burnout.

l. Hydros

Requires at least level 1 hydraulics. When your car is completely stopped, hold the handbrake button and move the left analog stick in various directions. Your car's hydraulics will activate. This doesn't grant a large amount of nitro but is suggested during the countdown. If you park near a wall and use hydros up and down, your car may jump. Sometimes, a high jump can also grant nitrous for 'Hang Time'.