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How Do I Select Pit Options in Iracing

Beginner’s guide to how do i select pit options in iracing: clear steps to set fuel, tires, and fast repair. Perfect for new iRacing drivers aiming clean stops.

Quick Answer

“How do i select pit options in iracing” means telling the sim exactly what you want your crew to do during your next stop—fuel, tires, windshield clean, fast repair, and more. For beginners, it’s the difference between a smooth, quick stop and an accidental two-minute tire change. Mastering it builds confidence and avoids race-ruining mistakes.

What This Guide Covers

What “how do i select pit options in iracing” means in plain English
Why iRacing beginners struggle with the pit menu
Step-by-step guidance to set fuel, tires, and fast repair correctly
Common mistakes to avoid (and quick fixes)
A simple practice drill you can run today
When it helps to ask other iRacing drivers for feedback

What Pit Options Mean in iRacing

Pit options are your pre-orders for the crew at your next stop. You set them in the Pit Stop “black box” (a small info window you cycle through in the sim). Think of it like ordering at a drive‑through: you choose fuel amount, which tires to change, whether to clean the windshield, and if a fast repair should be used (when available).

Where it shows up:

In any session (Test, Practice, Race), cycle the on-screen “black boxes” until you reach the Pit Stop box.
Use your mapped controls to toggle items: fuel on/off and amount, each tire corner, new tire pressures, windshield tear‑off/clean, and fast repair (if the session allows).

You can map specific buttons for these in Options > Controls (very beginner‑friendly).

Why This Matters for Rookies

Prevent “whoops” moments: accidental tire changes can add 20–40 seconds; forgetting fuel ends your race.
Protect Safety Rating: clean, predictable pit entries and exits reduce incidents and penalties.
Save time and stress: clear pit plans let you focus on driving, not menus.
Better race enjoyment: understanding how iRacing works around pit strategy makes events feel calmer and more professional.

If you’ve ever thought “how do i select pit options in iracing without messing up,” this is a key rookie skill.

Common Problems Beginners Face With Pit Options

Problem 1: “They changed all four tires and I didn’t want that!”

Why it happens: Tires are still checked by default or you didn’t clear them after a previous stop.
How to fix it: Map a “Clear All” pit command (Options > Controls). Before pitting, hit Clear All, then only enable what you want (e.g., fuel only).

Problem 2: Running out of fuel or adding way too much

Why it happens: Guessing fuel instead of using the fuel black box data.
How to fix it: In practice, run 5–10 laps to learn your fuel use per lap. Use the fuel black box to see “laps remaining” or liters/gallons per lap, then set a safe number with a small buffer (1–2 laps).

Problem 3: Fast repair didn’t apply

Why it happens: The session may not allow fast repairs, or the checkbox wasn’t enabled before stopping.
How to fix it: Check the session info for fast repair availability and count. Before you reach your pit stall, enable Fast Repair in the pit box. It only applies when you stop in your own pit stall.

Problem 4: Penalties from speeding in pit lane

Why it happens: No pit speed limiter pressed or braking too late for the pit line.
How to fix it: Identify the pit entry line in practice. Map/use your pit speed limiter (if the car has one) before the line. Brake earlier than you think on race day.

Step-by-Step Guide: how do i select pit options in iracing

Open a safe session: Start a Test or Practice session so you can experiment without risking Safety Rating.
Find the Pit Stop black box: Use your Next/Previous Black Box keys to cycle to the pit menu. If unsure, go to Options > Controls and map those keys first.
Map essential controls: Assign buttons for Clear All, Fuel +/− amount, each tire corner toggle, Fast Repair toggle, and Windshield Clean/Tear‑off. This makes in‑car changes easy.
Set fuel: In the pit box, enable Add Fuel and choose an amount (liters or gallons based on your units). Aim for race distance + 1–2 laps as buffer.
Set tires (only if needed): Check specific tire corners (LF/RF/LR/RR) you want to change. Adjust new tire cold pressures if your series allows and you care to fine‑tune.
Optional service: Enable Windshield Clean/Tear‑off (oval/road) for visibility. Enable Fast Repair only if you have damage and the session allows it.
Lock in before your stall: Finalize your choices on the straight before pit entry. Once the crew starts work, changes won’t affect that stop.
Enter the pits safely: Call “pitting in” if cars are nearby (voice or quick chat), stay predictable, and use the limiter before the line.
Hit your marks: Stop with the lollipop marker centered at your pit stall. Let the crew complete the selected service.
After the stop: Use Clear All so you don’t accidentally change tires next time. Rejoin safely and blend back into traffic.

Tip: Record a replay of your pit entry and stop to check braking points and stall accuracy.

Practical Example (Before vs. After)

Before (Typical Rookie)

Leaves default tire boxes checked and guesses fuel.
Pits under caution, accidentally takes four tires and 30 seconds of service.
Rejoins at the back, frustrated and confused about what happened.

After (Correct Approach)

Maps Clear All, sets fuel to +1 lap buffer, leaves tires unchecked.
Pits, gets only 6 seconds of fuel, no tire change, clean windshield.
Rejoins near original position with less stress and more control.

Simple Practice Drill (5–10 Minutes)

Load a Test session at Okayama Short in the Mazda MX‑5 Cup (beginner‑friendly).
Do 4 steady laps to get a feel for fuel use and braking.
On lap 5, set pit options: Clear All, Fuel +3 liters/gallons, Windshield Clean.
Practice a smooth pit entry, stop in your box, and complete the service.
Repeat once more, this time toggling only the LF tire to feel the extra time added.

Ignore lap times—focus on finding the pit entry line, enabling the right options, and stopping accurately in your stall.

Pro Tips for New iRacing Drivers

Map “Clear All” and “Fast Repair” to easy‑to-reach buttons.
Set pit options on a straight, not while braking into pit entry.
If you only need fuel, make sure all tires are unchecked—every time.
Practice pit entry lines in each track; the line appears earlier than you expect.
Use the fuel black box to estimate needs; don’t guess.
Save one replay of a clean pit stop to copy your braking markers next race.

When to Ask for Help (Gentle Community Push)

If pit options still feel confusing, you’re not alone—most new to iRacing drivers struggle at first. Many new iRacing drivers hang out in beginner-friendly Discord communities where they can share replays and ask quick questions. A couple of comments on your pit entry and menu setup can speed up your learning a lot.

FAQs About how do i select pit options in iracing in iRacing

Is this important for beginners in iRacing? Yes. Even in short rookie races, you may need fuel, a windshield clean, or repairs. Knowing the pit box prevents accidental tire changes and costly time losses.
How do I know if I set it correctly? Double-check the Pit Stop black box before you reach your stall. If only fuel is highlighted and tires are unchecked, you’ll get a fuel‑only stop.
Do I need special hardware? No. A keyboard works, but mapping key pit functions to wheel buttons makes it much easier under pressure.
Can I practice this offline or with AI? Absolutely. Use Test or AI sessions to rehearse pit entries, set options, and complete stops with zero risk to rating.
Why didn’t my fast repair work? Either the session doesn’t allow fast repairs, you ran out of available repairs, or the box wasn’t checked before stopping. Enable it prior to reaching your stall.
How long until I’m comfortable with pit options? Usually a couple of sessions. Run two or three practice pit stops per track, and it’ll become muscle memory.

Final Takeaways

Pit options are your pit crew orders: fuel, tires, cleaning, fast repair.
Map Clear All and key toggles, and set them before your stall.
Use the fuel black box to plan, not guess.
Clean, predictable pit entries protect your race and your Safety Rating.

Next session action: In a Test session, bind Clear All, Fuel +/−, and Fast Repair, then complete two practice pit stops focusing on accuracy and calm inputs.

Optional Next Steps

Next: Beginner’s guide to safe pit entries and exits in iRacing
Or read: iRacing setup tips for tire pressures and fuel strategy