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How Do I Stop Brake Lockups in Iracing

How do I stop brake lockups in iRacing? This guide gives step-by-step fixes for pedal setup, ABS, brake bias and driving technique so iRacing drivers can fix it fast.

If you’re dealing with how do i stop brake lockups in iRacing, the short answer: fix your pedal calibration, back off aggressive bias, check ABS (if available), and clean up your braking technique. You’re in the right place to stop locks quickly and get consistent laps.

Quick Answer: how do i stop brake lockups in iracing

Most lockups come from one or more of these: incorrect pedal calibration (too sensitive), too much front brake bias, no/incorrect ABS setting in a car that has it, or overly aggressive braking technique. Calibrate pedals, reduce initial bias toward the front, enable/configure ABS if the car supports it, and brake smoother.

What’s Really Going On

When a wheel locks, the tire stops rotating while the car still moves, losing grip and causing a slide. In iRacing this happens when brake force exceeds the tire’s available grip. The sim models this realistically: bad pedal mapping or too-high brake pressure, cold tires, heavy entry speed, and wrong brake bias make it easy to exceed that grip and lock a wheel.

Step-by-Step Fix

1. Calibrate your pedals in iRacing first. Go to Options → Controls, run Calibration, set deadzone to minimal, and set saturation so full pedal travel reads as full brake.
2. Check Windows/Peripheral software. If you use load-cell or USB pedals, update firmware and set force/curve per manufacturer instructions.
3. Reduce front brake bias 1–3% toward the rear. Too much front bias makes the front tires lock first. Test in practice laps.
4. If the car has ABS, enable or increase ABS in the car setup gradually until lockups stop without losing braking distance. Not all cars allow ABS adjustments.
5. Smooth your input: practice later or softer release on initial brake press, and avoid jamming the pedal at turn-in. Trail braking should be controlled — fewer locks come from progressive pressure.
6. Use replay/telemetry to watch brake pressure and wheel speed. If one wheel shows sudden drop in wheel speed while brake pressure is high, it’s a lock — reduce pressure or tweak bias.

Extra Tips / Checklist

• Start with cold tire caution: warm tires gradually in the out lap before pushing hard.
• If using a load-cell, add a small progressive brake curve if available to soften initial bite.
• Don’t chase lap time by increasing bias and braking harder; tune bias, then driver technique.
• Keep brake ducts/temperatures in mind: very cold brakes can grab unpredictably in some cars.
• If lockups persist only on certain tracks, reduce entry speed and adjust gear selection.

FAQs

Q: Why do my brakes only lock in some cars?
A: Cars differ in brake system design, weight distribution and whether ABS can be adjusted. Tune each car separately.

Q: Will lowering my brake sensitivity in iRacing help?
A: Yes — reduce sensitivity or adjust saturation so the pedal gives smoother, predictable pressure. Calibrate after changes.

Q: Should I always enable ABS to stop locks?
A: Only if the car allows it. ABS can prevent locks but may increase stopping distance if overused. Prefer bias + technique tweaks first.

Q: Can hardware problems cause lockups?
A: Yes. Worn potentiometers, bad springs, or miscalibrated load cells can produce sudden jumps in brake input. Update firmware and re-calibrate.

Short wrap-up

Fixing lockups is mostly calibration, bias, and braking habits. Calibrate pedals, nudge bias toward the rear, use ABS when appropriate, and practice smoother inputs. Try one change per session so you know what helped.