How to Effectively Use Assist Features in Racing Simulators

30 November 2025

Whether you're a rookie driver dipping your toes into the asphalt or a seasoned sim racing vet chasing milliseconds, assist features in racing simulators can make or break your experience. These tools are more than just training wheels—they’re a set of smart systems designed to help you refine your skills, build muscle memory, and push the limits of your virtual car. But using them the right way? That’s where the magic happens.

In this article, we’re diving deep into how to effectively use assist features in racing sims. We're talking about traction control, anti-lock braking systems, stability assists, and more—fully unwrapped, explained in plain English, and backed by practical advice. Buckle up. You're about to get faster, smoother, and way more consistent.

What Are Assist Features in Racing Simulators?

Before we go pedal to the metal, let's take a lap around the basics. Assist features in racing sims are optional settings that make your driving experience more manageable. Think of them like driving instructors built into the game—they're there to keep you from spinning out, locking up, or launching into a wall on Turn 1.

Here's a quick pit-stop breakdown of the most common assists:

- ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) – Prevents your tires from locking up when braking hard.
- Traction Control (TC) – Reduces wheel spin when you're accelerating out of corners.
- Stability Control – Helps keep the car from losing control during sharp turns or quick direction changes.
- Steering Assist – Helps correct your steering input, especially useful with a controller.
- Braking Assist – Can apply brakes automatically at specific points on the track.
- Automatic Transmission – Handles gear shifts so you can focus on everything else.

Sound simple? Not so fast. Using these assists the wrong way can stunt your growth as a driver. But with a little strategy, they become stepping stones, not crutches.

Why Use Assists at All?

Great question. If your goal is to be the next esports racing phenom, shouldn't you ditch all the assists right now? Not quite.

Assists make the game more accessible, period. If you're using a controller, racing with limited space, or just starting out, assists help bridge the gap between you and the pros. They let you focus on the fundamentals—like racing lines, braking points, and throttle control—without punishing every tiny mistake.

Think of it like bowling with bumpers. The bumpers don’t make you a pro, but they stop you from guttering every shot while you figure out your form.

Step-by-Step: How to Use Each Assist Effectively

Ready to take control of those assists like a pro? Let’s break down each one and how to use it smartly.

1. Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)

ABS is your safety net under heavy braking. In real life and in sim racing, slamming the brakes can make your tires lock up, especially if you’re entering a corner too hot. That means your car won’t turn—it’ll just skid.

When to use it:
- Beginners: Keep it ON at medium or high levels.
- Intermediate: Try dialing it down to low for better sensitivity.

Pro tip: Practice threshold braking—pressing the brake pedal just enough to stop without triggering ABS. This skill pays off big time when you turn it off later.

2. Traction Control (TC)

Traction control prevents your wheels from spinning like crazy during acceleration. It’s super useful in powerful rear-wheel-drive cars (looking at you, Formula races).

When to use it:
- Wet weather or high-power cars: Use medium TC.
- Learning throttle control? Keep it on.

Pro tip: Start with TC ON, then slowly reduce it. Lower TC gives you more explosive exits from corners… if you can keep it under control.

3. Stability Control

Think of this like a guardian angel that fixes your bad cornering mistakes. If the rear end gets sketchy, stability control steps in and helps straighten things out.

When to use it:
- If you’re struggling to keep the car straight under steering pressure.
- When you're still adjusting to the car physics.

Pro tip: Don’t lean on it forever. Once you start feeling confident hitting apexes and catching oversteer, try turning it off. Driving gets more responsive and rewarding.

4. Steering and Braking Assist

These are what I like to call “newbie mode” settings. They’re super helpful in the beginning—but don’t hang out here too long, or your driving development gets stuck in low gear.

When to use it:
- First few races, especially with a controller.
- Kids or casual players.

Pro tip: Turn off braking assist ASAP—learning how to brake is one of the most important skills in racing. Gradually take steering assist off too as you get comfy with car handling.

5. Automatic Transmission

Shift without worrying about RPMs and gear ratios? Yeah, auto is convenient. But here's the deal: manual shifting gives you better control and faster lap times once you master it.

When to use it:
- Casual gaming, or while learning track layouts.
- When using a controller without paddle shifters.

Pro tip: Start with automatic, move to semi-auto (manual with auto clutch), then full manual once you're comfortable. Knowing when to downshift can transform your lap times.

How to Gradually Turn Off Assists

Unlearning reliance on assists is like learning to ride a bike without training wheels. You’re probably gonna fall a few times—but you'll gain way more control in the long run.

Here’s a simple roadmap:

Stage 1: Comfort Zone

- ABS: On high
- TC: On medium
- Stability: On
- Auto Transmission
- Braking/Steering Assist: On

Focus on learning the tracks, understanding racing lines, and getting used to control inputs.

Stage 2: Skill Development

- ABS: Medium
- TC: Low
- Stability: Off
- Start experimenting with manual transmission

By now, you're getting faster. You're making fewer mistakes. Time to start pushing boundaries.

Stage 3: Performance Mode

- ABS: Off or low
- TC: Off or low (track dependent)
- Manual shifting
- No stability control

This is where the game feels real. You’ll have more responsibilities, but your precision, speed, and feel for the car will skyrocket.

Finding the Right Balance

Here’s the kicker: you don’t have to go full no-assists if that’s not your jam. Some pro racers even use minimal assists depending on the sim or racing discipline. Finding what works for YOUR goals and setup is key.

Playing casually? Keep a few assist features on. Chasing leaderboard glory? Start peeling them off.

How Assists Change Depending on the Sim

Not all racing sims treat assists the same. Let’s look at some popular ones real quick:

Gran Turismo

- Super friendly to newcomers.
- Assists are customizable.
- Great for learning racing fundamentals.

Assetto Corsa / ACC

- Leans more toward realism.
- Assists are limited, especially in ranked modes.
- Ideal for competitive players.

iRacing

- You’re on your own. Most assists are banned in online races.
- Great place to train serious racers.

F1 Series (by Codemasters)

- Structured assists system.
- You can race competitively even with some assists on.
- Excellent training ground for transitioning to full sim.

The point? Tailor your use of assists to the sim you're playing. Each game has its own driving DNA.

Mistakes to Avoid When Using Assists

Let's keep it real. Using assists wrong can hold you back. Here are some major missteps to steer clear of:

- Relying too much on braking assist – You’ll never learn how to brake efficiently.
- Treating assists as "cheats" – They're tools, not cheats.
- Not experimenting with settings – You might be faster with slightly less assistance.
- Using full traction control in dry conditions – It can kill exit speed.
- Assuming more assists = easier – Some assists can actually make cars feel weird or "floaty."

The Controller vs. Wheel Debate

If you’re using a controller, assists might feel essential. And that’s fine—many top-tier players are out there winning races with a controller.

But if you plan to grab a racing wheel down the line, get ready for a whole new world of control. Assists become less necessary when you can finely modulate throttle, brake, and steering with real-world precision.

Final Thoughts: Let Assists Evolve With You

Using assist features in racing simulators isn’t about making the game easier—it’s about making the learning curve smoother. They’re your sidekicks, your pit crew, your training camp.

Start with them. Learn what they do. Then, as you gain confidence, start dialing them back. The more control you take away from the machine, the more you give yourself—and that’s when the real fun begins.

So yeah, keep the bumpers up while you’re learning. But don’t be afraid to take them off and throw some sparks. That’s how you grow.

Now get out there and tear up some virtual tarmac.