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How to Change Tire Compound in Iracing

New to iRacing? Learn how to change tire compound in iRacing, when it’s available, and how to avoid rookie mistakes. Clear steps, examples, and confidence-boosting tips.

Quick Answer

how to change tire compound in iracing means picking the correct tire type (like slick/dry, wet/rain, or Primary/Alternate in IndyCar) in the Garage before the session or via the Tires black box for your next pit stop. Only some cars/series support multiple compounds. Set it before you reach your pit box.

What This Guide Covers

  • What how to change tire compound in iracing means in iRacing
  • Why beginners struggle with it
  • Step-by-step guidance to do it correctly
  • Common mistakes to avoid
  • A simple practice drill you can run today
  • When it helps to ask other iRacing drivers for feedback

What “changing tire compound” means in iRacing

  • Simple definition: A tire compound is the type of tire you run—think of it as a “grip and durability recipe.” In iRacing, most cars have one dry compound. Some cars/series give you options, like:
    • Slick (dry) vs Wet (rain) tires in rain-enabled sessions
    • Primary (black) vs Alternate (red) tires for IndyCar road-course events
  • Analogy: It’s like choosing shoes for the weather and activity—running shoes for dry sidewalks, boots for rain. The wrong choice makes everything harder.
  • Where you’ll see it in iRacing:
    • Garage > Tires tab (choose starting compound when the car/series supports it)
    • Tires black box (set what the crew will mount at your next stop)
    • Session info/series rules (may say if alternates or rain tires are in play)

Important: If you can’t find any compound choices, your car/series likely doesn’t support more than one. That’s normal for many series (e.g., most GT classes have a single dry compound and a wet option only for rain sessions).

Why This Matters for Rookies

  • Confidence and control: The right compound equals predictable grip. The wrong one can feel like driving on ice (or glue) and cause spins.
  • Safety Rating and clean racing: Spinning on the wrong tires leads to incidents and hurts Safety Rating. Staying in control protects your race and others’.
  • Strategy basics: Knowing when you can (and can’t) change tires avoids confusion in the pits and keeps you from losing time or being disqualified for rule violations (e.g., IndyCar requiring both compounds).
  • Time and money: Understanding how iRacing works helps you pick the right series and avoid chasing setup changes that a simple tire choice would fix.

Common Problems Beginners Face With Tire Compounds

Problem 1: “I can’t find the compound option anywhere.”

  • Why it happens: Many cars don’t have multiple dry compounds. You’ll only see options if the car/series supports it (e.g., rain-enabled sessions or IndyCar alternates).
  • How to fix it: Check the Session Info and the Garage > Tires tab. If no dropdown or buttons appear, your car/series doesn’t offer a choice. That’s okay—focus on pressures, temps, and consistent driving.

Problem 2: “I selected a different compound but got the wrong tires in the stop.”

  • Why it happens: You have to set the tire choice in the Tires black box before you reach your pit stall. Changing it too late won’t update in time.
  • How to fix it: Set your next-stop tires well before pit entry. Practice changing the selection on an out lap so it’s ready when you pit.

Problem 3: “The car feels awful on the tires I chose.”

  • Why it happens: Wets on a dry track will overheat and feel mushy. Alternates (IndyCar) overheat on long runs. Slicks on a damp track will slide and aquaplane.
  • How to fix it: Match tires to the conditions and stint length. Use wets only when the track is wet/damp enough. Use alternates for shorter stints and primaries for longer stints.

Problem 4: “I used up all my good tires too fast.”

  • Why it happens: Many official races limit tire sets. If you change every stop, you can run out.
  • How to fix it: Check tire set limits in the Session Info. Uncheck “Change Tires” in the black box on fuel-only stops.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to change tire compound in iRacing

  1. Set your starting compound in the Garage
  1. Load into the session and open Garage > Tires.
  2. If your car/series supports it, pick the starting tire (e.g., Slick/Dry, Wet, Primary, or Alternate).
  3. Click “Done” to save before you grid or leave the pits.
  1. Schedule a compound change for your next pit stop
  1. Open your Tires black box (use your assigned black box keys; set them in Options > Controls if needed).
  2. Select “Change Tires” (if not already selected), choose the tire set number if available, and pick the compound (e.g., Wet or Alternate). Adjust pressures if you’re comfortable.
  3. Do this before you reach pit entry. Once you’re in the stall, the crew follows whatever is set.
  1. Verify and avoid last-second surprises
  1. Glance at the Tires black box on the lap you plan to pit—confirm compound and set are correct.
  2. If you change your mind, update it on the back straight, not at the pit entry cone.
  1. For Hosted/AI sessions (optional)
  1. When creating a session, ensure “Rain” is enabled if you want wet tires to be available.
  2. For IndyCar alternates, make sure the session/series supports Primary/Alternate rules. If it doesn’t, you won’t get the option.

Extra tip: Bind a button to “Request pit stop” and another to cycle the Tires black box. It keeps things simple under pressure.

Practical Example (Before vs. After)

Before (Typical Rookie)

  • What they do: Join an IndyCar road race, never check the rules, start on Alternates, and stay out too long.
  • What they feel: Great grip for a few laps, then sudden sliding, wheelspin on exits, and big lockups under braking.
  • Outcome: Spins, flat-spotted tires, time lost, and incident points.

After (Correct Approach)

  • What they change: Start on Primaries for a longer opening stint, switch to Alternates for a shorter middle stint. They set the compound in the Tires black box a lap before pitting.
  • What they feel: Consistent grip on the long run, then a burst of pace on the shorter alternate stint.
  • Outcome: Cleaner race, fewer mistakes, better finishes, and improved Safety Rating.

Simple Practice Drill (5–10 Minutes)

  • Load a Test Session with a car that supports compounds:
    • Option A: Dallara IR-18 at a road course (for Primary/Alternate).
    • Option B: Any rain-capable car in a rain-enabled session (for Wet vs Slick).
  • Do 5 laps on your starting compound, focusing on corner exits and brake stability.
  • Pit and switch compounds using the Tires black box. Do 5 more laps.
  • Compare: Note cornering grip, braking consistency, and tire temperature behavior. Ignore lap time—focus on feel and control.

Pro Tips for New iRacing Drivers

  • If the car slides everywhere on a drying track, try slicks—but only once a clear dry line forms.
  • If alternates feel amazing for 3–5 laps then fall off a cliff, shorten that stint or manage pace earlier.
  • Always set pit requests (tires, fuel) at least half a lap before stopping.
  • Practice in test or open practice before risking Safety Rating in an official race.
  • Use replays and the Tire Temperatures/MoTeC channel to spot overheating tires.
  • Read Session Info for tire set limits and any “must use both compounds” rules.
  • Bind a key to quickly toggle “Change Tires” on/off so you don’t waste a set by accident.

When to Ask for Help (Gentle Community Push)

If you’re still unsure about tire compounds, you’re not alone—most new iRacing drivers need a few sessions to get comfortable. Many beginners join small, relaxed iRacing Discord communities where they can share replays, ask quick questions, and get feedback from more experienced racers. A couple of friendly pointers on your pit timing and compound choice can speed up your progress.

FAQs About how to change tire compound in iracing in iRacing

  • Is changing tire compound available for every car in iRacing?

    • No. Most cars have one dry compound and only get a Wet option if rain is enabled. Some series, like IndyCar road, offer Primary/Alternate tires. If you don’t see options, your car/series likely doesn’t support it.

  • How do I know I picked the right tire?

    • Match tires to conditions and stint length. Use wets when the track is wet/damp; use slicks when it’s clearly dry. For IndyCar, use Primaries for longer runs and Alternates for shorter or push stints. If the car overheats and slides, your tire choice or pace may be off.

  • Can I change tire compound while I’m driving?

    • You can set what will be fitted at your next pit stop via the Tires black box. The actual change happens during the stop, not on track.

  • Do I need special hardware to manage tire compounds?

    • No. A basic wheel or even a gamepad works. Just make sure you bind keys to cycle black boxes and adjust the Tires page.

  • Can I practice this offline or with AI?

    • Yes. Test sessions and AI races are perfect for learning. Make sure the session has rain enabled if you want to try wets, or pick a car/series that supports alternates.

  • Will the wrong tire hurt my Safety Rating?

    • Indirectly, yes. Wrong tires often lead to spins and off-tracks, which add incidents. Choosing correctly helps you keep it clean.

Final Takeaways

  • Tire compounds only exist where the car/series supports them (wets or IndyCar alternates).
  • Set the starting compound in the Garage; set pit-stop changes in the Tires black box well before stopping.
  • Match the tire to conditions and stint length to avoid overheating or sliding.
  • Next session: Bind black box keys, run a short test on two compounds, and focus on feel, not lap time.

You don’t have to master everything in one night. Focus on choosing the right tire for the conditions, practice it for a few sessions, and your iRacing races will feel calmer and more predictable.

Optional Next Steps

  • Next: A beginner’s guide to iRacing tire sets, pressures, and temps
  • Or read: Mastering the iRacing black box and pit requests for clean, quick stops