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How to Change Fuel During Pit Stops

Clear, calm guide for iRacing beginners new to iRacing: learn how to change fuel during pit stops, avoid mistakes, and make quick, confident pit calls. Try it.

If pit menus and fuel numbers make you anxious, you’re not alone. Most new racers see the pit screen and freeze—what to add, how much, and where to click. This calm, coach-like guide explains exactly what to do so you can pit like a pro without needing an engineering degree.

Quick Answer — how to change fuel during pit stops

In iRacing, changing fuel during pit stops means using the pit-stop UI to set the amount of fuel to add (gallons or liters) or to a set stint distance. Open the pit menu while stopped, adjust the fuel value, confirm, and the pit crew will refuel that amount during the stop.

Why this matters for beginners

Fuel strategy directly affects pace and pit time. Add too much fuel and your stop takes longer; add too little and you’ll run out near the end of a stint. For iRacing beginners, learning this makes races less stressful and helps you understand how iRacing works: pit settings + strategy = finishing races more consistently.

Simple step-by-step guide

1. Come into the pits and stop in the pit box. The pit stop timer starts when you stop in the correct location.
2. Press the pit menu key (default is F10 on many setups) or use the on-screen button to open the pit stop window.
3. Find the fuel field — it shows current fuel and the “add” value. You can type a number or use + / - buttons to change gallons/liters.
4. Set to the amount you want (or choose “fill to” options if available). Confirm the change — usually a “Commit” or “Set” button.
5. Leave the car and let the crew refuel; watch the pit stop time and drive off when the light/penalty clears.

Tip: If you’re new to iRacing, practice this in a test session to get comfortable with the timing.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

• Mistake: Changing fuel while rolling out of the pit box. Fix: Stop fully in the pit box before altering fuel, or the game won’t accept the change.
• Mistake: Typing the wrong fuel units or amount and underfilling. Fix: Check your car’s fuel consumption (laps/gallon) in practice to estimate needed fuel.
• Mistake: Forgetting to commit the change. Fix: Always confirm the pit-stop menu choice before exiting the pit UI.

Quick pro tips

• Use the garage/tire/fuel preset between sessions so you don’t have to type numbers mid-race. (Great iRacing tip for busy races.)
• If unsure, add a little more fuel than minimum; a heavier car for a lap is better than a DNF.
• Learn your fuel burn per lap in practice and multiply by remaining laps + 1–2 laps buffer.
• On short ovals, use “laps” fill options when available — it’s faster than guessing gallons.
• Save a screenshot of your typical pit values for reference.

FAQs

Q: Can I change fuel before stopping?
A: No. Fuel changes are applied while stopped in the pit box and after you confirm the entry in the pit menu.

Q: How much fuel should I add for a short race?
A: Estimate laps remaining × fuel per lap + 1–2 lap buffer. Practice sessions will tell you fuel per lap.

Q: Will changing fuel cost extra pit time?
A: Yes — more fuel means longer stops. Balance fuel load with track position needs.

Q: Where can I practice this with other beginners?
A: Try low-pressure test sessions or join iRacing beginners’ leagues. iRacing Discord communities also have friendly channels for practice tips.

Final takeaway Start a private test: 5 laps, come in on lap 3, and practice opening the pit menu, setting fuel, and committing. That single drill will give you confidence faster than reading guides. You don’t need perfect strategy yet—just consistent, clean pit stops.