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Iracing Temps Too High

Got iracing temps too high? This clear guide for iRacing drivers explains why tires, engine, or PC overheat—and gives quick steps and settings to fix it fast.

If you’re seeing iracing temps too high, it’s almost always one of three things: overheated tires, engine water/oil temps, or your PC hardware. You’re in the right place. Here’s how to spot which one it is and fix it fast.

Quick Answer: iracing temps too high

It means something is overheating. If the car feels greasy and slides, your tires are too hot. If you get water/oil warnings or lose power, your engine is too hot. If the game stutters or crashes, your GPU/CPU is too hot. Adjust your setup and driving, open cooling, or lower graphics/frame rate.

What’s Really Going On

  • Tires: Sliding, too much pressure, or aggressive camber overheats the tread. The car pushes on entry, snaps loose on exit, or feels “melted” after a few laps.
  • Engine: Drafting, too much grill tape/radiator closure, or long high-RPM idling raises water/oil temps. Stay there and you’ll lose power or pop the motor.
  • PC hardware: Uncapped FPS and high graphics push GPU/CPU temps into throttling. You’ll see frame drops, stutters, or a shutdown.

Step-by-Step Fix

  1. Identify the temp that’s high.

    • Tires: Check the Tires black box/telemetry after a few laps. Look for very hot inner/middle/outer readings and rising hot pressures.
    • Engine: Watch the dash or black box for water/oil warnings, especially in traffic.
    • PC: Use your GPU tool (NVIDIA/AMD overlay) to check temps while driving.

  2. If tires are overheating:

    • Lower cold pressures 0.5–1.0 psi at a time to hit stable hot pressures. Aim for even temps across the tread.
    • Reduce front camber if the inner edge runs much hotter than middle/outer.
    • Soften anti-roll bar or dampers a click if the car slides on corner entry.
    • Drive smoother: brake in a straight line, ease steering, avoid wheelspin. Use traction control if the car has it.

  3. If engine temps are high:

    • Reduce grill tape or increase radiator opening by a few percent.
    • Open brake/cooling ducts one or two clicks (where available).
    • Shift a little earlier and avoid long high-RPM idling in pits.
    • In traffic, offset for clean air or lift-coast slightly to drop temps.

  4. If brakes are cooking (and heating tires/engine bay):

    • Open brake ducts, reduce draggy trail braking, and check brake bias so you’re not locking and sliding.

  5. If your PC is overheating:

    • Cap in-game FPS (e.g., 84/90/120). Lower shadows, mirrors, and reflections in iRacing settings.
    • Clean dust filters, improve case airflow, and set a stronger fan curve.
    • For laptops, use a cooling pad and avoid turbo/overclock profiles while racing.

  6. Re-test properly:

    • Run 5–10 laps in similar weather to your race session. Make small changes and re-check temps and feel.

Extra Tips / Checklist

  • Start from the baseline or fixed iRacing setup; it’s a safe cooling/pressure starting point.
  • Hot track = hot tires. Practice at the same time of day as your race if possible.
  • If tire pressures keep climbing every lap, drop cold pressures a bit more.
  • In packs, peek out of draft on straights to get fresh air into the radiator.
  • VR or triples? Turning down shadows and mirrors is the biggest GPU temperature win.

FAQs

  • What tire temps are “good” in iRacing? It varies by car. Aim for even temps across the tread and stable hot pressures. If the car gets greasy after a few laps, you’re too hot.

  • Why does my engine blow after a few laps in traffic? You’re running too hot from draft or too much tape. Open cooling a bit, shift earlier, and offset for clean air.

  • Does higher tire pressure reduce heat? Not usually. Too high can make the tire skate and overheat. Adjust in small steps and watch hot pressures stabilize.

  • How do I see temps in iRacing? Use the Tires and car status black boxes or the dash for water/oil. Telemetry apps can give more detail if needed.

Short Wrap-Up

“iracing temps too high” comes down to tires, engine, or PC. Identify which one, make a small change, and re-test. Next session, start with safer pressures and cooling, cap FPS, and build pace without sliding.