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How to Change Tire Settings in Iracing

Learn how to change tire settings in iRacing with a calm, step-by-step guide for iRacing beginners and new to iRacing — boost grip and lap consistency fast.

If you’ve ever seen a long list of numbers and settings in iRacing and felt your brain freeze, you’re not alone. This short guide will clear the fog and give you one simple path forward so you can stop guessing and start improving your lap times.

how to change tire settings in iracing (Quick Answer)

Changing tire settings in iRacing is done from the garage setup screen: select the car, open the Setup menu, choose the Tyres tab, and adjust pressures, stagger (oval), and camber/temperature targets. Save a copy before changing so you can revert if needed.

Why this matters for iRacing beginners

Tires are the single biggest factor in grip and consistency. New to iRacing drivers often think faster lap times come only from steering or braking — but incorrect tire pressures or camber make a car loose, tight, or inconsistent. Understanding simple tire changes helps you learn how iRacing works and gives immediate, noticeable gains.

Simple step-by-step guide

Load your car and session, then enter the Garage/Setup screen. This is where iRacing keeps all tuning options.
Click the Tyres tab (sometimes “Tires” depending on localization). You’ll see front/rear pressures, camber, toe, and temperature readouts.
Adjust pressures in small steps (0.1–0.5 psi). Lower pressure = more grip but slower turn-in; higher pressure = quicker response but less contact patch.
Fine-tune camber to manage tire temperatures: more negative camber increases cornering grip but can overheat the inner shoulder.
Save the setup under a new name. Run a short practice stint and record tire temps/pressures — use those numbers to iterate, not guess.

Common mistakes (and how to fix them)

Mistake: Changing many things at once. Fix: Change only one tire parameter per run so you can see its effect.
Mistake: Using road values for oval cars (or vice versa). Fix: Use the car-specific baseline setup and learn which numbers are typical for that car.
Mistake: Not checking tire temps after a run. Fix: Look at inner/mid/outer temps and adjust camber/pressure accordingly.

Quick pro iRacing tips

Start with the default or “official” setup for practice; it’s built for balance.
Adjust pressures in 0.1–0.5 psi steps and retest — small changes add up.
Use hot lap vs. long-run testing: hot laps highlight peak grip, long runs show degradation and balance.
Record tire temps after 5–10 laps; inner vs. outer temp tells you camber issues.
If unsure, ask in practice lobbies or read setup notes — you don’t need to be a race engineer to improve.

FAQs

Q: Do I need special hardware to change tire settings? A: No. You change settings in the iRacing menu. A wheel or pedals help driving, but setup edits are done with any keyboard/mouse.

Q: How do I know if pressure is too high or low? A: Look at lap times and tire temps. If the middle temp is highest, pressure is high; if outer/inner are highest, adjust camber or lower pressure.

Q: Where can I get more help with setups? A: Read car-specific guides, join friendly iRacing beginners groups, or check iRacing Discord communities for setup advice and example files.

Q: Will changing tires settings instantly make me faster? A: Not instantly. Useful changes improve consistency and reduce mistakes; pair setup changes with focused practice.

Final takeaway: Start by saving your baseline, change one tire number at a time, and run short tests. In your next session, try lowering front pressure by 0.3 psi and observe lap time and temperatures — small, controlled steps build confidence and speed.