Join hundreds of racers just like you. We love to help answer questions and race together.

How to Increase Brake Bias in Iracing

New to iRacing? This beginner-friendly guide shows how to increase brake bias in iracing, why it matters, and simple steps to stop spins and gain confidence.

If you’re new to iRacing and wondering how to increase brake bias in iracing without breaking your brain (or your car), you’re in the right place. This guide explains what it does, why it matters for rookies, and exactly how to adjust it safely.

Quick Answer (Featured Snippet Style)

How to increase brake bias in iracing means shifting more braking force to the front wheels. For beginners, this steadies the car on corner entry and reduces rear-wheel lockups. Understanding it helps you avoid spins, build consistent braking, and feel more confident every session.

What This Guide Covers

What “how to increase brake bias in iracing” means in iRacing
Why beginners struggle with brake bias
Step-by-step guidance to adjust it in-car and in the garage
Common mistakes to avoid
A simple practice drill you can run today
When it helps to ask other iRacing drivers for feedback

What Brake Bias Means in iRacing

Simple definition: Brake bias (also called brake balance) is the percentage of braking force sent to the front vs. rear wheels. Increasing it means more front brake; decreasing it means more rear brake.
Analogy: Like a bicycle—squeeze the front brake more and the bike is stable but may understeer; use too much rear and the back can slide.
Where it shows up in iRacing:
- Garage: Most cars show a Brake Bias slider or number in Garage > Chassis. That’s your starting value.
- In-car: Many cars let you adjust brake bias while driving using mapped controls or the black box controls.

Why This Matters for Rookies

Stability = confidence: Too much rear bias is a top cause of rookie spins during braking and turn-in. More front bias is usually safer while you learn.
Clean races: Fewer spins mean fewer incidents, which protects your Safety Rating and makes races more enjoyable.
Predictability: A sensible bias helps you brake at the same markers each lap, building consistent habits—key for iRacing beginners figuring out how iRacing works.
Small gains, big results: Slight tweaks (0.5–1.0%) can quickly stop rear lockups and unlock smoother laps.

Common Problems Beginners Face With Brake Bias

Problem 1: The rear steps out when I brake

Why it happens: Brake bias is too far to the rear, so the rear tires lock first and the car rotates suddenly.
How to fix it: Increase brake bias (more front) in small steps of 0.5–1.0% until the car stays straight under hard braking.

Problem 2: The car won’t turn on entry / it understeers when I brake

Why it happens: Too much front bias can cause front lockups and push (understeer).
How to fix it: Decrease brake bias (more rear) by 0.5% at a time until the front bites without the rear getting unstable.

Problem 3: My changes don’t “stick” or I can’t adjust in the race

Why it happens: Controls for in-car adjustments aren’t mapped, or the car/series limits adjustments.
How to fix it: Map “Brake Bias +/–” in Options > Controls. Know that fixed-setup races usually lock garage settings, but many still allow in-car bias tweaks.

Problem 4: The car feels different as the fuel burns off

Why it happens: With less fuel, weight shifts and the rear can get lighter, increasing the chance of rear lock.
How to fix it: Add a click or two of front bias (increase) mid-stint if the rear starts to wiggle under braking.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to increase brake bias in iracing

Open a Test or Practice session: Choose your car and a familiar track so you can focus on braking, not learning layout.
Map your controls: Go to Options > Controls. Under In-Car Adjustments, bind “Brake Bias Increase” and “Brake Bias Decrease” to easy-to-reach buttons (wheel or keyboard).
Set a safe baseline in the garage: Garage > Chassis > Brake Bias. Start near the setup default. If you’re unsure, err slightly toward more front bias.
Go on track and do a few hard stops: Pick a safe straight. Brake hard from a decent speed and feel for rear wiggle (too rear) or front push/lock (too front).
Adjust in small steps: Change 0.5–1.0% at a time. Test again at the same braking point. You’re aiming for stable, straight stops with minimal lockup.
Check during corner entry: On your normal lap, brake at your marker and begin to release (trail brake). If the rear slides as you turn, add a click (increase). If the car refuses to rotate, remove a click (decrease).
Avoid big changes in races: One click at a time, and only on straights. Be predictable around others.
Save your setup: When you find a stable starting value, save it so you don’t start from scratch next time.

Tip: If your car has ABS (e.g., GT3), brake bias still matters but the feel changes. Use cues like tire squeal, pedal vibration, and how the car rotates as you release the brake.

Practical Example (Before vs. After)

Before (Typical Rookie)

Action: Runs default bias, brakes hard to the apex, no adjustments.
Feel: Rear snaps during trail braking into tight turns; occasional spins or huge corrections.
Outcome: Inconsistent laps, low confidence, incident points from half-spins.

After (Correct Approach)

Action: Maps bias buttons, increases bias +1.0% for stability, then fine-tunes by 0.5%.
Feel: Car stays straight under hard braking; gentle rotation as brake pressure is released.
Outcome: Cleaner entries, fewer scares, steadier lap times, more fun racing.

Simple Practice Drill (5–10 Minutes)

Load a test session with the Mazda MX-5 at Okayama Short.
Do 10 laps focusing only on braking into Turn 1 and the hairpin.
Start at the default bias. Each two laps, adjust bias by 0.5% toward the front until rear wiggle stops. Then try 0.5% back toward the rear to find the “just right” point.
Ignore lap time; focus on stability under hard braking and smooth rotation as you release the brake.

Pro Tips for New iRacing Drivers

If the rear moves under braking, increase bias (more front) by 0.5–1.0%.
If the car won’t rotate on entry, decrease bias (more rear) by 0.5%.
Map the controls to your wheel so you can adjust without looking.
Test changes in a practice session before trying them in an official race.
Use the replay cockpit view to spot front vs. rear lockups (listen for tire squeal, watch for smoke).
As fuel burns off, consider a click more front bias to keep the rear settled.

When to Ask for Help (Gentle Community Push)

If brake bias still feels mysterious, you’re not alone—everyone wrestles with it at first. Many new iRacing drivers hang out in beginner-friendly Discord communities where they can share replays and ask quick questions. A few friendly pointers on your braking technique can speed up your progress a lot.

FAQs About how to increase brake bias in iracing in iRacing

Is brake bias important for beginners in iRacing?
Yes. It’s one of the quickest ways to make the car more stable and predictable under braking. A safer, front-leaning bias helps new drivers avoid spins and build confidence.
How do I change brake bias during a race?
Map “Brake Bias Increase/Decrease” in Options > Controls before the race. On a straight, press your mapped buttons to adjust 0.5–1.0% at a time. Avoid mid-corner changes.
What number should I start with?
Start near the setup default. For many rookie-friendly cars (like the MX-5), a slightly higher front bias than default is safer. Adjust in tiny steps until the car is stable but still rotates as you release the brake.
Do I need special pedals to use brake bias?
No. Load-cell pedals help with consistency, but you can benefit from correct brake bias on any pedal set. Focus on smooth pressure and small adjustments.
Can I practice this offline or with AI?
Absolutely. Test sessions and AI races are perfect for dialing in brake bias without risking Safety Rating.
How long until it feels natural?
Usually a few sessions. Once you map the buttons and learn the signs (rear wiggle vs. front push), you’ll adjust bias instinctively.

Final Takeaways

Brake bias controls front vs. rear braking force; increasing it (more front) usually adds stability.
Adjust in 0.5–1.0% steps, test on a straight, and aim for stable braking with gentle rotation.
Map your bias buttons and practice in a test session before racing.

Next session: Map “Brake Bias +/–,” run 10 laps at a familiar track, and find the most stable value that still lets the car turn as you release the brake. Improvement comes from small, repeatable tweaks—not perfection.

Optional Next Steps

Next: Trail Braking Basics for iRacing Beginners
Or read: Beginner iRacing Setup Tips (Brake Pressure, Pedal Calibration, and More)