What tire pressure should I use for drifting in Assetto Corsa?

There's no universal number; it depends on the car and physics. Slightly higher rear pressure usually makes sliding easier. Check the tire app after a few hot runs.

Should the differential be locked for drifting?

Usually high lock, so both rear wheels spin together and wheelspin is consistent. Check what your physics and rules allow.

How much steering lock do I need?

As much as the car allows, with your wheel rotation matched to it, so the car can hold big angle and recover from slides.

Can I change my setup in a drift competition?

It depends on the rules. Some competitions fix parts of the setup or physics, so check before you tune.

Assetto Corsa Drift Setup Guide: Tuning Basics

A drift setup should make the car predictable, not just loose. These are the settings that matter, what each one does, and how to fix the most common handling problems.

Key takeaway

Change one setting at a time, test on the same corner, and aim for a car that does the same thing every run.

Before you touch anything

Check what's allowed. Some competitions fix parts of the setup or the physics. Only change what your rules permit.
Change one thing at a time. Otherwise you won't know what helped.
Test on one corner. Run the same section a few times after each change.
Save setups with clear names, so you can always go back.

There are no universal numbers: every car and physics set is different. Use the directions below as a starting point and let consistency decide.

The settings that matter most

Setting	What it does for drifting	Typical direction
Steering lock	How far the front wheels turn. More lock holds more angle and saves more slides.	As much as the car allows; match your wheel to it.
Rear tire pressure	Higher pressure usually means less rear grip and an easier slide.	Slightly higher at the rear than the front.
Front camber	Keeps the front tires gripping while the car is at angle.	Negative front camber.
Rear camber	Affects rear traction under power.	Close to zero for predictable traction.
Front toe	Changes how quickly the car responds to steering.	A little toe-out for sharper response.
Differential	Keeps both rear wheels spinning together under power.	High lock for consistent, controllable wheelspin.
Rear anti-roll bar	Balances mid-corner grip against how easily the car changes direction.	Adjust in small steps; see below.
Gearing	Keeps the engine in its power band through a section.	One gear that covers the whole section if possible.

Tires: let the data help

Assetto Corsa's built-in tire app shows pressures and temperatures as you drive. Use it to see whether a pressure change actually moved the tire where you expected, instead of guessing. Pressures rise as tires heat up, so check them after a few hot runs, not on the first lap.

Anti-roll bars and suspension

A very soft rear anti-roll bar can add mid-corner grip, but it can make the car slower to transition and harder to initiate. A stiffer rear does the opposite. Adjust in small steps until transitions feel clean without the rear snapping.

The same logic applies to springs and dampers: aim for a car that settles quickly after a transition. If it wallows or bounces, it'll be hard to place consistently.

Fix common problems

Problem	Things to try
Car spins easily	Lower rear tire pressure slightly, soften power delivery with a taller gear, check differential settings.
Hard to start a drift	Raise rear tire pressure a little, try a stiffer rear anti-roll bar, check your initiation technique.
Runs out of steering lock	Increase lock if allowed, and make sure your wheel rotation matches the car.
Front washes wide at angle	More negative front camber, or a little more front grip from pressure.
Slow, lazy transitions	Stiffen the rear anti-roll bar or dampers in small steps.
Engine bogs mid-drift	Change gearing so the section stays in the power band.

Setup is half the story

Your wheel settings change how the setup feels in your hands. Read our guide to wheel and force feedback settings, then build consistency with a practice routine.

Frequently asked questions

What tire pressure should I use for drifting in Assetto Corsa?: There's no universal number; it depends on the car and physics. Slightly higher rear pressure usually makes sliding easier. Check the tire app after a few hot runs.
Should the differential be locked for drifting?: Usually high lock, so both rear wheels spin together and wheelspin is consistent. Check what your physics and rules allow.
How much steering lock do I need?: As much as the car allows, with your wheel rotation matched to it, so the car can hold big angle and recover from slides.
Can I change my setup in a drift competition?: It depends on the rules. Some competitions fix parts of the setup or physics, so check before you tune.

Assetto Corsa drift setup guide