Euro Truck Simulator 2: High Resolution Mirror Tweak via config.cfg

The primary issue with ETS2 mirrors is the “Mirror Scaling” and “Reflection Quality” cap. Even at 400% global scaling, the mirrors can remain low-resolution. By accessing the config.cfg, we can manually increase the uset r_mirror_view_distance and uset r_mirror_group_size parameters. This guide focuses on forcing the game to render mirror reflections at a higher internal resolution and extending the distance at which other trucks and traffic lights become visible in your glass.

Hardware Compatibility & Expectations

• Mid-to-High End GPUs: High-resolution mirrors are surprisingly GPU-intensive because the game has to render the world multiple times (once for each mirror).
• Multi-Monitor / VR Users: Essential for immersion. Blurry mirrors in VR are a leading cause of eye strain and “motion sickness.”
• CPU Impact: Minimal. This tweak mostly taxes the GPU’s texture fill rate and VRAM.

Backup and Preparation

Before editing your profile configuration, ensure the game is not running to prevent the file from being overwritten.

1. Close Euro Truck Simulator 2.
2. Navigate to your Documents folder.
3. Right-click config.cfg, select Copy, and save a backup copy on your desktop.
4. Use Notepad or Notepad++ to edit the file.

File Location

ETS2 stores its main configuration in your local Windows user documents: C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents\Euro Truck Simulator 2\config.cfg

Note: If you want to apply this to a specific profile only, look in the profiles/[ID]/config.cfg folder.

Best Config Settings

Search for the following lines (Ctrl + F) and update their values to match this “High-Fidelity” configuration:

uset r_mirror_scale_y "2.0"
uset r_mirror_scale_x "2.0"
uset r_mirror_view_distance "400"
uset r_mirror_group_size "1"
uset r_reflection_setting "3"
uset r_deferred_mirrors "1"

Key Parameters Explained

Parameter	Recommended Value	Impact
r_mirror_scale_x/y	2.0	Multiplies the internal resolution of the mirrors. 2.0 provides 4K-like clarity.
r_mirror_view_distance	400	Increases the distance (in meters) at which objects are rendered in the mirror.
r_mirror_group_size	1	Ensures mirrors are updated every frame for the smoothest possible reflection.
r_deferred_mirrors	1	Enables modern deferred rendering for reflections, improving lighting accuracy.

In-Game Settings vs. Config

To ensure these tweaks don’t tank your performance, balance them with these in-game settings:

• Mirror Quality: Set to High (The config will override the actual resolution).
• Mirror Resolution: Set to High.
• Scaling: If you use r_mirror_scale at 2.0, you can potentially lower your main “Scaling” from 400% to 200% or 300% to gain back FPS without losing mirror clarity.
• SMAA: Set to Ultra to help smooth out the edges within the mirrors.

Troubleshooting & Common Fixes

• Significant FPS Drop: If your frame rate drops by more than 20%, lower r_mirror_scale_x and y to 1.5.
• Flickering Mirrors: This can happen if r_mirror_group_size is set to 0. Ensure it is set to 1 for consistent updates.
• Settings Resetting: ETS2 occasionally resets the config after a major game version update (e.g., from 1.50 to 1.51). Keep a record of these values to re-apply them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion and Expected Results

By manually tuning the config.cfg, you transform the mirrors from a blurry secondary feature into a sharp, high-definition tool. You can expect clearer silhouettes of overtaking vehicles, better visibility during night drives, and a much more realistic trucking experience.