Iracing: Best app.ini for Realistic Force Feedback Config

The most significant “realistic” tweak is enabling Linear Mode and the 360Hz Interpolation. By default, iRacing’s FFB can feel “notchy” or “steppy” on high-end bases; forcing interpolation smooths the signal without adding the input lag associated with traditional damping.

File Path

iRacing stores its primary configuration in your user documents. Ensure the simulation is closed before editing.

%USERPROFILE%\Documents\iRacing\app.ini

Technical Note: To maximize realism, you must match the displayLinearInNm setting with your wheelbase’s actual peak torque. If you have a 25Nm base but set the sim to 10Nm, you will experience FFB Clipping, where the signal “flattens out” during high-load turns.

Optimized “Direct Drive Fidelity” Configuration Block

Search for the [Force Feedback] section in your app.ini. These settings are designed to remove “passive noise” and deliver raw telemetry.

Parameter	Recommended Value	Technical Purpose
displayLinearInNm	1	Displays FFB strength in actual Newton Meters (Nm) rather than arbitrary units.
enableFFB360HzInterpolated	1	Vital. Smoothes the 60Hz tick rate to 360Hz for DD wheel clarity.
steeringDampingMaxPercent	0.000000	Removes artificial weight; let the car’s physics provide the resistance.
steeringFFBSmooth	1.000000	Set to 1.0 for no averaging (raw signal). Increase only if your wheel “buzzes.”
steeringForceParkedPct	0.250000	Reduces force to 25% when stopped to prevent violent wheel shaking in pits.

[Force Feedback]
allowXBoxOneOnWindows10=1
alwaysRestartFFB=1
centerSpringPct=-1              ; Disables artificial centering
damageAutoCenterPct=0.000000
displayLinearInNm=1             ; Switch to Nm for precision
enableFFB360HzInterpolated=1    ; Higher fidelity for DD bases
recenterNamesMode=0
steeringBumpStop_Deg=15.000000  ; Softens the "thud" at full lock
steeringDampingFactor=0.050000
steeringDampingMaxPercent=0.000000
steeringFFBSmooth=1.000000      ; Raw telemetry signal
steeringForceParkedPct=0.250000 ; Safety for high-torque bases

HowTo: Engineering the “No-Clip” FFB Experience

Follow these GameEngineer.net steps to calibrate your wheel for 2026’s competitive standards:

1. Linear Mode Toggle: In the in-game Options > Controls, ensure Use Linear Mode is checked. This is mandatory for Direct Drive users to ensure the force output is proportional to the in-sim physics ($F_{out} \propto F_{sim}$).
2. The “Auto” Strength Button: This is the most underrated tool. Go on track, drive 2-3 clean laps at racing speed, then check your F9 Black Box. Click the “Auto” button next to FFB Strength. This calculates the highest possible force your wheel can output without Clipping (losing detail).
3. Wheel Force (Nm): Set the “Wheel Force” slider in-game to exactly what your manufacturer specifies (e.g., 25 for a Simucube 2 Pro, 8 for a CSL DD). This tells iRacing the “ceiling” of your hardware.
4. Zero Damping/Friction: In your wheelbase software (TrueDrive, Fanatec Control Panel), start with 0% Damping and 0% Friction. If the wheel oscillates (shakes) on straights, add damping in increments of $1\%$ until it stops. Do not add more than necessary, as damping acts as a “filter” that eats road detail.
5. FFB Intensity (The “Vulkan” Era Fix): If you find the curbs too violent but the steering too light, adjust the Intensity slider. In 2026, a value of 100% is standard for realism, but 80% is preferred by endurance drivers to reduce fatigue during 24-hour sessions.

Technical Explanation: Interpolation vs. Damping

Standard iRacing physics run at $60\text{Hz}$, meaning the wheel receives a new force instruction every $16.6\text{ms}$. On a sensitive Direct Drive motor, this can feel “notchy.”

By enabling enableFFB360HzInterpolated=1, the sim uses a mathematical curve to “guess” the intermediate values between those 60 points, effectively delivering a $360\text{Hz}$ signal. Unlike Damping (which uses a resistance formula $F = -cv$ to slow the wheel down), Interpolation adds no artificial weight. It simply rounds off the “digital corners” of the signal, resulting in a steering feel that mimics a real hydraulic rack without sacrificing the high-frequency vibrations from rumble strips or tire flat-spots.