Join hundreds of racers just like you! We love to help answer questions and race together.

How to Control Throttle in Iracing

Answering how to control throttle in iRacing for drivers: clear causes, quick in-sim fixes and setup tips to stop surging and wheelspin. Fix this issue fast.

If you’re asking how to control throttle in iracing, the short answer is: fix your pedal calibration and axis mapping, then smooth the input with small deadzones or a soft curve. You’re in the right place — this guide shows the exact checks and quick steps to stop surges and wheelspin.

Quick Answer — how to control throttle in iracing

Most throttle problems are hardware or mapping issues. Calibrate your pedals in Windows, then run iRacing’s controller calibration, assign the correct axis, and add a tiny deadzone or a slight non-linear curve so small foot movements don’t produce sudden full-power bursts. Practice smoothing after that.

What’s really going on

iRacing reads a single throttle axis from your pedals or wheel base. If that axis jumps, reverses, or reports in steps, the sim reacts instantly — you feel surging, sudden spin, or no power. Sometimes the issue is:

Windows/gamepad calibration is wrong.
iRacing control mapping is incorrect or reversed.
The pedal hardware reports noisy input or large jumps.
You’re using an overly aggressive throttle map or no deadzone, so tiny foot motions equal big throttle changes.

Fixing those items gives you consistent, controllable throttle.

Step-by-step fix

Check Windows calibration: open “Set up USB game controllers” → Properties and move the pedal. Ensure movement is smooth and returns to zero.
Reboot hardware: unplug and replug the wheel/pedals and restart iRacing to clear USB hiccups.
In iRacing, go to Options → Controls → Calibrate and follow the prompts. Make sure throttle is assigned to the correct axis and shows a full 0–100% sweep.
Add a small deadzone: set 1–3% deadzone in the iRacing controller settings if you see jitter at zero. This removes tiny, accidental inputs.
Apply a soft curve (if available): set a gentle non-linear curve so the first half of pedal travel gives less throttle, giving you finer low-power control.
Test on track: join a test session, accelerate progressively and note wheel spin or surge. If issues persist, swap pedals or test on a different PC to isolate hardware.

Extra tips / checklist

Reverse axis if the throttle behaves like the brake.
Remove duplicate mappings — only one device should claim the throttle axis.
If you have a load-cell brake, ensure the throttle isn’t wired to the same input channel.
Traction control helps prevent wheelspin but masks poor foot control; use it only while you learn.
Update wheelbase and pedal firmware and drivers regularly.

FAQs

Q: Why does my car surge when I gently press the throttle?
A: That’s usually a calibration or axis-stepping issue. Recalibrate in Windows and iRacing, and add a 1–3% deadzone.

Q: How do I calibrate pedals in iRacing?
A: Options → Controls → Calibrate. Follow the on-screen steps to set full travel and test the 0–100% sweep.

Q: Should I use a deadzone or a curve?
A: Use a tiny deadzone to remove jitter. Add a soft curve if you want finer low-speed control without full throttle from small inputs.

Q: My throttle is reversed — how fix?
A: In iRacing’s controller mapping, select the throttle axis and enable “Reverse” (or flip it in Windows game controller properties).

Wrap-up

Fixing throttle control is mostly hardware calibration and clean mapping. Do the checks above, add a small deadzone or curve, and practice smooth feet in a test session. Next session: focus on gentle, progressive throttle exits and you’ll keep traction and lap time.