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Iracing Linear vs Non-Linear Ffb

Clear guide to iracing linear vs non-linear ffb for iRacing beginners and those new to iRacing. Know the difference, why it matters, and one simple setting to try.

If opening the iRacing settings makes you tense, you’re not alone. Many new to iRacing stare at “FFB” and freeze — fearing they must be an engineer to drive well. This calm, coach-like guide explains iracing linear vs non-linear ffb clearly, so you can feel confident in one practice session.

iracing linear vs non-linear ffb

Quick answer: Linear FFB scales force output directly with iRacing’s force value—what the sim sends is what you feel. Non-linear FFB applies a curve: it boosts weak signals and compresses strong ones so small details feel stronger while big jolts are softened. Choice affects feel and feedback clarity.

Why this matters for beginners

iRacing beginners often confuse “stronger = better.” The wrong curve can hide important car behavior (over/understeer) or create a twitchy wheel that feels unrealistic. Understanding the difference helps you choose a comfortable baseline, learn what the car is telling you, and improve faster without chasing numbers.

Common mistakes (and fixes)

  • Mistake: Cranking overall force to feel “more.” Fix: Start with moderate force and adjust curve first—too much raw force just adds noise.
  • Mistake: Copying pros blindly. Fix: Use pro settings as reference, then tweak for your wheel rigidity and play area.
  • Mistake: Changing many settings at once. Fix: Change one thing, test one lap, note the difference.

Simple step-by-step guide

  1. Reset FFB to iRacing defaults so you have a known baseline.
  2. Set a comfortable overall force where you can hold the car on a straight at medium speed.
  3. Try a mild non-linear curve (if available) to emphasize small feedback — this helps feel grip changes.
  4. Drive three consistent laps and notice what you feel on corner entry, mid-corner, and exit.
  5. If heavy impacts feel clipped, reduce non-linearity or lower overall force; if small info is lost, increase it slightly.

Quick pro tips

  • Use a consistent car and track for testing—don’t mix setups while tuning FFB.
  • Small changes matter: tweak by 5–10% or one click at a time.
  • If your wheel has hardware damping or friction, disable it during tuning.
  • For very stiff wheels, non-linear helps preserve small details without violent peaks.
  • Record a few hotlaps to compare settings objectively.

When to ask for help

If you still can’t tell what’s changing, ask in a friendly place — iRacing Discord communities and forums are full of patient people who can look at your wheel logs, screenshots, or settings. Share your wheel model, baseline settings, and one quick video of a lap for the best help.

FAQs

Q: Which is better for beginners — linear or non-linear?
A: Start with a mild non-linear setting to highlight small feedback, but personal preference and wheel strength matter.

Q: Will non-linear FFB hide oversteer?
A: It can soften strong signals, so you may feel less violent snaps; don’t rely on softness to hide bad technique.

Q: How often should I retune FFB?
A: After a hardware change, new wheel, or when switching to cars with very different grip. Otherwise, once every few months is fine.

Q: Can I use car setups to “fix” strange FFB?
A: No — the setup affects the car; FFB tuning affects what you feel. Both matter, but fix FFB first.

Final takeaways

You don’t need perfect numbers—just a consistent baseline and small tweaks. Try the simple step-by-step guide in one short practice session, and you’ll understand the difference between iracing linear vs non-linear ffb. Next step: pick one car, make one change, and note how the wheel speaks to you.