Traction Control: Stability vs Lap Time

GT3 TC Settings for fixed setups

Do you hesitate every time you’re on corner exit? Or do you sometimes make the car spin while exiting corners?

Or do you have the feeling that when you use high TC values, you’re losing lap time?

Today I almost ran a 1:42 at Imola on race pace with the Lexus, using 3-5-7 TC settings.

Most TC setting explanations go like this:
“Lower it when you need more slip or rotation,”
“to put more power to the wheels,”
“less TC interference.”

All of that is true, but it doesn’t give you any idea what kind of setting you should actually use.

In LMU, and in the fixed series, there isn’t a clear answer to what you should use. On a Mercedes you can go really low, and sometimes on a Porsche as well, but on a Lexus or an Aston, running low settings is a nightmare.

Most TC spins happen in slow corners.

Before I share my personal TC settings for every GT3 car for this update, you need to learn how to use your throttle input:
to 50%, and then up to 100%.

Like the image above:
50% throttle while still steering, starting to get the car to accelerate slowly. Then, when the steering opens up, you floor it.

Using a slope on the throttle can help you achieve this, like below.

Most of my TC settings are there to save my ass, but I also use TC to push the throttle down and set the rear of the car into extra power-steer rotation and controlled slip to help the car turn more in certain corners. In 2nd gear, I’ll sometimes use this “jacking” effect to push the rear into slip and create more yaw moment.

If you can drive fast in higher splits, you might not need these settings. But this is what I aim for on every car: TC 4-6-8.

Settings to TEST for GT3 cars in LMU

Aston Martin
Very nervous on throttle, especially with bumps or after chicanes.
5-7-9 is a pretty safe setting.

Ford Mustang
Similar behavior: 4-6-8.

Ferrari 296
Same problem. I haven’t found good low settings.
4-6-8.

Porsche
I aim for 4-6-6. The heavy rear end allows this.

Lexus
I use 3-5-7, though it heavily depends on rear suspension.

McLaren
4-5-6 or 4-6-6.

Mercedes
This one is weird. On some tracks it feels like you can turn it off, or run 3-1-1.
To be safe: 4-6-6.
And to be clear: if you can drive 1-0-1, it’s not guaranteed that it’s one second faster. There’s more freedom, yes—but when the wheels spin or exceed the slip angle, you lose time regardless.

BMW M4
4-6-6 is a safe bet.

Lamborghini
4-6-6.

Corvette
5-7-9.

For my driving, I like to keep the front value low. I believe that’s the real lap-time killer, while the others build safety around it. If you use other settings, let me know in this thread on Substack.

I just did a massive update on the Lexus GT3 pack. I’m going to revisit most cars next month as a thank-you, and I’ve just added a race and endurance strategy guide as well.

When running open series with a GT3 car check out Skill level setups, to progress,

New to a track? or it starts to rain? Pick a lower level

when your lap time plateaus?

Pick a higher level

A higher level means more rotational freedom, better potential laptimes. TC settings are also woven into this.

Get them Here

Cheers

Arnout