Driving aids

[patio87]

So I have played quite a few racing sims in the past month or so, as I have really gotten into Driving sims. I bought GT4(first time with a racing sim) and 2 days later went and bought the DFP. I have a couple question concerning GT4, one thing I have noticed is that unlike other sims(rfactor/LFS/GTR2/Enthusia), my car doesn't spin out when I crank on my wheel hard or go into a turn to fast. All that happens when I go into a turn to hard is I get pushed to the outside of the track and sometimes onto the grass(under steering right?). Also I don't get spun out if the AI pits me right in the back right/left sweet spot. The only time I really ever spin out is when I am driving at probably over 120MPH. Now I have all the driving aids off, including those aids that show up in the tuning section, TCS/ACM or something like that, I turn them down to '0'. So is this just apart of GT4, that is easier physics?

And do people usually play by letting off the gas fully and then shifting, like in real life with the DFP. Or do most people just gas it fully even through a shift? I stared with doing the latter, but I am now trying to let off the gas now.

Is there drafting in GT4 ?

 

[Famine]

So I have played quite a few racing sims in the past month or so, as I have really gotten into Driving sims. I bought GT4(first time with a racing sim) and 2 days later went and bought the DFP. I have a couple question concerning GT4, one thing I have noticed is that unlike other sims(rfactor/LFS/GTR2/Enthusia), my car doesn't spin out when I crank on my wheel hard or go into a turn to fast. All that happens when I go into a turn to hard is I get pushed to the outside of the track and sometimes onto the grass(under steering right?).

Go into a turn too fast and you'll understeer first. It's when you leave a turn too fast, in a rear-wheel-driven car, that you oversteer (or "spin out").

At least in real life.

Also I don't get spun out if the AI pits me right in the back right/left sweet spot. The only time I really ever spin out is when I am driving at probably over 120MPH. Now I have all the driving aids off, including those aids that show up in the tuning section, TCS/ACM or something like that, I turn them down to '0'. So is this just apart of GT4, that is easier physics?

TCS and ASM are the only two driving aids.

If you are unaffected by PIT manoeuvres it suggests you have good car control.

And do people usually play by letting off the gas fully and then shifting, like in real life with the DFP. Or do most people just gas it fully even through a shift? I stared with doing the latter, but I am now trying to let off the gas now.

Most people keep the throttle mashed flat to the floor during gearchanges. There's no need to simulate real gear changes. With the Logitech G25 wheel - complete with clutch and six-speed gearbox - and any future Gran Turismo game, that may change.

Is there drafting in GT4 ?

Yes - and four of the Driving Missions are wholly reliant on it.

 

[Sureboss]

I always get done by the PIT manoeuvre, probably as it always happens to me when I'm turning accross the offending car. Ie, a corner,etc.

 

[patio87]

Thanks guys. I have another question. I am in my career game and for some reason with my car I can't tune it in the settings before the race. All the options are like grayed out/not selectable. There are only a couple like ballast weight that I can fumble with.

 

[MasterStorm]

Thanks guys. I have another question. I am in my career game and for some reason with my car I can't tune it in the settings before the race. All the options are like grayed out/not selectable. There are only a couple like ballast weight that I can fumble with.

The range of changes you can make depends on what you've equipped your car with. For example, if you're still running the stock transmission, then you will be unable to modify the gearing ratio's. It sounds to me like your running a relatively stock car, and as a result theres not many options for you to adjust. 👍

 

[Parnelli Bone]

one thing I have noticed is that unlike other sims(rfactor/LFS/GTR2/Enthusia), my car doesn't spin out when I crank on my wheel hard or go into a turn to fast. All that happens when I go into a turn to hard is I get pushed to the outside of the track and sometimes onto the grass(under steering right?). Also I don't get spun out if the AI pits me right in the back right/left sweet spot. The only time I really ever spin out is when I am driving at probably over 120MPH. Now I have all the driving aids off, including those aids that show up in the tuning section, TCS/ACM or something like that, I turn them down to '0'. So is this just apart of GT4, that is easier physics?

And do people usually play by letting off the gas fully and then shifting, like in real life with the DFP. Or do most people just gas it fully even through a shift? I stared with doing the latter, but I am now trying to let off the gas now.?

In GT games it all depends on the car you drive. I was in an Audi S4 for instance, doing the Pan-Euro Championship and oddly this car was very prone towards spins despite the 4-wheel drive. I think since it has a 60%-ish front weight bias irl, the rear of the car had a tendency to lift and I had to occasionally watch for that dreaded oversteer which could get a near-spin going. But then some other cars you can plow into corners and they won't spin, you're correct.

Do people usually play letting off the gas? Well I do if I'm driving a manual-shift...but then I'm a bit of a nut!

As for your other question: yes, when the settings are "grayed-out" it's because you either haven't bought the appropriate part, or you don't have it installed. You have to find the right tuning shop, then get what you need and install it.

 

[patio87]

In GT games it all depends on the car you drive. I was in an Audi S4 for instance, doing the Pan-Euro Championship and oddly this car was very prone towards spins despite the 4-wheel drive. I think since it has a 60%-ish front weight bias irl, the rear of the car had a tendency to lift and i had to occasionally watch for that dreaded oversteer which could get a near-spin going. But then some other cars you can plow into corners and they won't spin, you're correct.

Do people usually play letting off the gas? Well i do if i'm driving a manual-shift...but then i'm a bit of a nut!

As for your other question: yes, when the settings are "grayed-out" it's becasue you either haven't bought the appropriate part, or you don't have it installed. You have to find the right tuning shop, then get what you need and install it.

Ok cool so you let off the pedal too? I just started doing it because it's just more realistic. In real life you obviously can't just mash the accelerator down in a manual car while shifting.



and Roger that guys on grayed out options, thanks.

 

[michael15]

I like the handling in GT4 cause you can feel the limit of the car beter than in other games like LFS.

 

[Parnelli Bone]

Ok cool so you let off the pedal too? I just started doing it because it's just more realistic. In real life you obviously can't just mash the accelerator down in a manual car while shifting.



and Roger that guys on grayed out options, thanks.

yeah I let off. In fact in GT3 sometimes I would tap the e-brake momentarily in between upshifts to truly disengage the clutch. I always have the e-brake set as L2 and upshift set at R1 so I had to get the combination just right (L2-R1) or it would actually feel like the clutch slipped. This effect doesn't work in GT4 though...the e-brake tends to immediately grab and all it does is lock your wheels up.

In any event, those who don't let off the gas are still being semi-realistic, it's just that the computer is doing the clutch work for you (perfect shifts every time, of course).

 

[TuneRVisioN]

In any event, those who don't let off the gas are still being semi-realistic, it's just that the computer is doing the clutch work for you (perfect shifts every time, of course).

Except when you are in the grass or rallying... All cars, including rally cars shift way to early. Only slow cars can shift properly in rallys or grass. It does get annoying every now and then... That's why I use manual transmission in a rally race.

 

[Parnelli Bone]

Except when you are in the grass or rallying... All cars, including rally cars shift way to early. Only slow cars can shift properly in rallys or grass. It does get annoying every now and then... That's why I use manual transmission in a rally race.

I only use automatic is certain cases: like some cars do not have manual shifts in real life. I'm in the habit of researching & reading about every car I drive in the game, so I know which ones have auto only, which ones could be driven with a stick, which ones have paddles as an option...etc.

 

[Alfaholic]

... as for lifting off the throttle while shifting... for a truly realistic experience you could squeeze a tennis ball under your left foot, and twirl a spoon around in some very thick yoghurt when changing gear

Other great realism tips:

Headbutt your steering wheel whenever you have a front end crash.

The accelerator and brake pedals in a Model T are transposed. This can be simulated by mounting the pedal box upside down.

In an open top car, put an oscillator on top of your TV and turn it on. Adjust the speed setting as your in-game speed changes, or move it to your left or right when you experience oversteer.

Also in an open car: Employ someone to stand next to the TV and throw bugs at you. Try to catch them in your teeth.

When driving the Triumph Spitfire: Put some vegetable based motor oil in a bowl, and then heat the bowl to vaporise the oil and provide an authentic aroma. Stop burning oil once you've used about 5 litres, turn the volume off to simulate engine failure, and pull over to the side of the circuit. Fill the bowl up whenever you perform an oil change.

In the FGT championship, always let the red car win.

If you crash at the nurb while driving the red FGT car, set fire to your hair.

Polish your PS2 whenever you wash a car.

Never exceed 3mph when driving at New York

When driving an American car at New York or Seattle, use the handbrake whenever you get to a corner. Fishtail wildly at exit. Have a stack of about 27 hubcaps next to you and throw at least one across the room each time you turn.

If racing in the Ford GT, pull in to the pits at the end of each lap and fill up.

Go 15 or 30 laps in the FGT before changing tyres, instead of 5. This may be challenging.

I am sure with effort I could think of more...

 

[trig]

Haha I love those!

 

[lmracer]

And do people usually play by letting off the gas fully and then shifting, like in real life with the DFP. Or do most people just gas it fully even through a shift? I stared with doing the latter, but I am now trying to let off the gas now.

i actually let off the gas whenever i shift. i delay the throttle re-application to make it even more real. (because i cant really shift as fast as the game does in real life) i am kind of a simulation freak. my 1-2 shift is almost as fast as the game shifts. but i delay my 2-3 shift for realism. 3-4 is usually very quick, but the 4-5 i hesitate again. it makes the cars feel more real in their flat out speed. when i start from a stop with a powerfull car i hold the brake and rev the motor to about 3,000 and ride the clutch just a little bit for added realism. i try not to let the game autoclutch. all the autoclutching engages at 2,500 RPM no matter which car. i wish the G25 worked for GT4