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How to Show Tire Temps in Iracing

Learn how to show tire temps in iRacing step-by-step for new drivers. Understand what the numbers mean, avoid rookie mistakes, and drive with more confidence.

Quick Answer

“How to show tire temps in iRacing” boils down to this: iRacing does not display live tire temps in the default HUD. Instead, do a short run, press Esc to return to the Garage, and open the Tires tab to see your last-run Inside/Middle/Outside temperatures. For live temps, use a third‑party dashboard via telemetry.

What This Guide Covers

  • What “how to show tire temps in iracing” means in iRacing
  • Why tire temps matter for iRacing beginners
  • Step-by-step instructions to view temps in the Garage (and live via telemetry)
  • Common mistakes to avoid
  • A simple practice drill you can run today
  • When it helps to ask other iRacing drivers for feedback

What Tire Temps Mean in iRacing

Tire temperature is how hot your tires got during your run. iRacing records three temperatures across each tire—Inside, Middle, Outside—often called IMO. Think of it like checking how evenly a pan heats on a stove: too hot in the middle or edges means uneven “contact.”

Where you’ll see them:

  • In-sim Garage: After a run, open the Tires tab to view your last-run temps and hot pressures.
  • Third-party dashboards/telemetry: Tools like SimHub/Z1 can show live temps while you drive.
  • Default HUD/black boxes: By default, these do not show live tire temperatures; they show pit options like tire changes and pressures for pit stops.

Why This Matters for Rookies

For new to iRacing drivers, tire temps explain a lot:

  • Cold tires = less grip. Pushing hard on Lap 1 is a common reason for spins.
  • Uneven temps = setup or driving issue. Overheated centers can mean too much pressure; overheated insides can suggest too much camber or constant sliding.
  • Consistency and confidence: Knowing what “normal” looks like helps you build pace steadily, protect Safety Rating, and avoid frustrating spins.

Understanding how to show tire temps in iracing helps you diagnose handling, make smarter iRacing setup tips and changes, and feel calmer in practice and races.

Common Problems Beginners Face With Tire Temps

Problem 1: “I can’t find tire temps on the screen.”

  • Why it happens: iRacing’s default HUD doesn’t show live tire temps.
  • How to fix it: Do a short run, press Esc, go to Garage > Tires to see last-run temps. For live temps, set up a third-party dashboard via telemetry.

Problem 2: “My temps look random after one lap.”

  • Why it happens: Tires need a few laps to warm up and stabilize. One lap is mostly “cold tire” data.
  • How to fix it: Run 5–8 clean laps at a steady pace before checking temps.

Problem 3: “My temps changed a lot after pitting/cooling down.”

  • Why it happens: Temps drop quickly when you coast or sit in the pits.
  • How to fix it: In a test session, press Esc to return to the Garage shortly after a representative lap. Don’t sit idling or do a long cool-down if you want “hot” readings.

Problem 4: “I changed pressures mid-run and now my data is confusing.”

  • Why it happens: Changing pit pressures affects the next time you pit, not current tire temps—but it can change your next run’s behavior and comparisons.
  • How to fix it: Keep one variable at a time. Do a baseline run, note temps, then adjust and compare.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to show tire temps in iracing

  1. Open a Test or Practice session: Use a non-official session so you don’t risk Safety Rating while experimenting.
  2. Drive 5–8 steady laps: Build temperature gradually. Avoid big slides and lockups that skew the data.
  3. Return to the Garage: Press Esc to exit the car. Do this soon after a representative lap to capture “hot” temps.
  4. Open Garage > Tires: You’ll see Inside/Middle/Outside temperatures and last hot pressures for each tire.
  5. Read the pattern:
    • Center much hotter than edges usually = pressure too high.
    • Edges hotter than center often = pressure too low.
    • Inside hotter than outside may be normal on cambered road setups, but big gaps can mean too much camber or aggressive driving.
  6. Make one small change: Adjust pressure by 0.2–0.4 PSI (or 0.01–0.03 bar) or tweak camber slightly if you’re comfortable. Re-run and compare.
  7. Optional (live temps): If you want live data, enable iRacing telemetry (Options > check telemetry) and run a third-party dashboard (e.g., SimHub, Z1). Follow that tool’s setup instructions.
  8. Avoid this mistake: Don’t judge temps from out-laps or one hot lap with mistakes. You want a small sample of consistent laps.

Tip: Bind keys for “Next/Previous Black Box” in Options > Controls so you can manage pit settings easily, but remember: the default HUD won’t show live temps.

Practical Example (Before vs. After)

Before (Typical Rookie)

  • Pushes hard on Lap 1, spins once, then tiptoes.
  • Checks the Garage after one cool lap and sees low, uneven temps.
  • Outcome: Confusion (“The car is random.”), inconsistent pace, incident points.

After (Correct Approach)

  • Builds speed over 3–4 laps, then runs 4 clean laps at steady pace.
  • Esc → Garage → Tires right after the run to see meaningful Inside/Middle/Outside temps.
  • Outcome: Understands if pressures/camber need small tweaks, gains stability and confidence.

Simple Practice Drill (5–10 Minutes)

  • Load a Test session with a stable combo (e.g., Mazda MX-5 at Okayama Short).
  • Do 2 easy laps to warm up, then 5 laps at a consistent, comfortable pace.
  • Press Esc immediately after your fifth lap. Open Garage > Tires.
  • Write down each tire’s Inside/Middle/Outside temps. If the centers are hottest, lower pressure slightly. If the edges are hottest, raise pressure slightly. Do one change, re-run 5 laps, and compare.

Ignore lap time; focus on consistency and the temperature pattern.

Pro Tips for New iRacing Drivers

  • If the car feels skatey early, it’s likely cold tires—build pace for 2–3 laps before pushing.
  • Make tiny changes first: 0.2–0.4 PSI is plenty for pressure; one click for camber if you know what you’re doing.
  • Use Test or hosted Practice to experiment so you protect Safety Rating.
  • Save replays and watch a single corner in slow-mo; tire scrub and slides show up as heat and wear.
  • Units matter: If temps look odd, check Options for Celsius vs Fahrenheit and stick to one unit.
  • Don’t chase a “perfect” number—look for even-ish patterns and stable handling.

When to Ask for Help (Gentle Community Push)

If tire temps still feel confusing, you’re not alone—everyone wrestles with this 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 comments on your laps and Garage screenshots can speed up your learning a lot.

FAQs About how to show tire temps in iracing in iRacing

  • Is this important for beginners? Yes. Understanding tire temps helps you avoid cold-tire spins, choose better pressures, and drive more consistently. It’s one of the quickest wins for rookies.

  • Can I see live tire temps without extra software? Not in the default HUD. iRacing shows last-run temps in the Garage. For live temps on track, use a third-party dashboard via iRacing telemetry.

  • Do I need special hardware? No. Any PC that runs iRacing can also run inexpensive or free telemetry dashboards. Extra screens or tablets help, but aren’t required.

  • Can I practice this offline or with AI? Absolutely. Test sessions or AI are perfect for gathering clean, repeatable data without traffic or Safety Rating pressure.

  • How long until I’m comfortable reading temps? Usually a few sessions. Once you map “what I felt” to “what the temps show,” you’ll make smarter, smaller setup changes.

Final Takeaways

  • iRacing’s default HUD doesn’t show live temps; check the Garage > Tires after a short, steady run.
  • Look for patterns across Inside/Middle/Outside, not a single magic number.
  • Make one small change at a time and compare.
  • Next session: run 5 consistent laps, Esc to Garage, read temps, and adjust pressure by 0.2–0.4 PSI if needed.

You don’t have to master everything tonight. Focus on steady laps, simple notes, and tiny adjustments—you’ll feel the car calm down fast.

Optional Next Steps

  • Next: Beginner’s guide to tire pressures and camber in iRacing
  • Or read: How to use iRacing black boxes and pit options without stress