should I use traction control on controller in F125

Learn about should I use traction control on controller in F125

Updated October 24, 2025

Struggling with wheelspin, bogged exits, or inconsistent lap times and wondering should I use traction control on controller in F125? You’re not alone. F1 25’s torque-heavy cars punish small throttle mistakes, and gamepads don’t give the same fine control as pedals. This guide will show you exactly which TC setting to use, how to set up your controller, and how to improve safely and quickly.

Quick Answer

On a controller, start with Traction Control: Medium for dry races and Full in the wet. Tweak your Throttle Linearity to soften initial trigger response, keep Saturation at 0, and practice short-shifting out of slow corners. As consistency improves, try brief sessions with TC Off to build throttle control, but don’t rush it.

Why should I use traction control on controller in F125 Feels So Hard at First

The cars deliver huge torque at low speed. Tiny trigger changes can cause big rear-wheel slip.
Controllers have limited throttle travel compared to pedals, so on-off inputs happen easily.
F1 25’s physics punish wheelspin: overheated rears → less grip → more wheelspin.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know which traction control setting to pick for your situation, how to tune your controller for smoother exits, and a simple practice plan to gain speed without constant spins.

What should I use traction control on controller in F125 Actually Means in F1 25

In F1 25, Traction Control (TC) is an assist that limits engine power when the rear wheels start to spin. You’ll find it under Settings > Assists > Traction Control with three options:

Off: No intervention. Fastest potential, highest risk. Best once you’re very consistent.
Medium: Limits the worst wheelspin while still allowing you to push. Ideal for most controller players learning the game.
Full: Strong intervention. Safest in the wet or when you’re brand new, but can slow exits by cutting too much power.

Trade-offs:

More TC = easier to drive and protect tires from overheating, but slower acceleration out of corners.
Less TC = faster potential and better racecraft once mastered, but demands smoother throttle and gear usage.

Multiplayer/leagues:

Some lobbies restrict assists. Always check lobby rules; be ready with a no-TC fallback if needed.

Before You Start (Prerequisites)

Hardware: Xbox/PlayStation/PC controller with analog triggers.
Game: F1 25, latest patch.
Modes to use while learning: Time Trial (consistent grip), then Grand Prix Practice or Career Practice for race-like conditions.
Menus you’ll use:
- Settings > Assists
- Settings > Controls, Vibration & Force Feedback > Wireless Controller > Calibration
- On-track MFD (for Differential and ERS)
A friendly practice track: Austria (Red Bull Ring) or Bahrain—clear traction zones and good runoff.

Step-by-Step: How to Fix / Improve should I use traction control on controller in F125

Pick the right TC for conditions

Go to Settings > Assists > Traction Control.
Dry: select Medium.
Wet: select Full.
League practice or skill-building: try short stints with Off (but keep Medium for races until consistent).

Success check: You should now see Traction Control set to Medium (dry) or Full (wet) on the Assists screen.

Calibrate your controller for smoother throttle

Open Settings > Controls, Vibration & Force Feedback > Wireless Controller > Calibration.
Set:
- Throttle Deadzone: 0–2
- Throttle Linearity: 10–20 (higher = gentler initial response)
- Throttle Saturation: 0 (don’t reduce trigger travel)
Optional: Brake Linearity 10–20 to help stability under braking.

Success check: Triggers should feel progressive, not “on/off,” with full travel available.

Map handy car controls

In Controls > Button Functions, ensure you can adjust:
- ERS Overtake (bind to a comfortable button)
- Differential (On‑Throttle) via the MFD shortcuts
Why: ERS and Diff have a big impact on traction out of slow corners.

Use a traction-friendly baseline setup

In the Setup screen (Garage):
- Reduce On‑Throttle Differential slightly below default (a modest drop helps traction; extreme lows can dull rotation).
- If you still struggle: a touch more rear wing or slightly softer rear suspension/ARB can help traction at the cost of top speed/rotation.
Don’t chase extreme values—aim for small, reversible changes.

Learn the traction exit pattern

In Time Trial, pick Austria/Bahrain and load a baseline setup.
At each slow corner exit:
- Short-shift (2nd → 3rd) if you feel spin.
- Squeeze throttle to ~70–90% until the car is more or less straight, then go 100%.
- Save ERS Overtake for when the wheel is straight.
Watch rear tire temps on the MFD > Tyres. Consistently >105°C on rears = adjust driving/setup to reduce slip.

Build consistency, then reduce help gradually

When you can do 5–10 laps with no spins and stable rears:
- Try a 10–15 minute session with TC Off in Time Trial.
- If it’s too wild, go back to Medium for races but keep practicing off-TC in short bursts.

Success check: Your laps with Medium TC become smoother and faster; off-TC sessions feel demanding but doable without constant spins.

Common Mistakes and Myths About should I use traction control on controller in F125

“Full TC is only for beginners.” Reality: Full is absolutely fine in the wet or for stabilization while learning. Many fast pad players use Medium in the dry and Full in heavy rain.
Cranking Throttle Saturation up: this makes full throttle arrive too early and hurts traction. Keep it at 0.
Dropping On‑Throttle Diff to extreme lows: can make the car push and kill rotation mid-corner.
Mashing ERS Overtake at apex: easily triggers wheelspin. Activate when the wheel is straighter.
Jumping straight to TC Off for races: usually leads to spins and worse lap times. Build up to it.

Troubleshooting and “What If It Still Feels Wrong?”

I still spin on Medium TC
- Likely cause: too aggressive throttle or unsuitable on‑throttle diff.
- Fixes:
  - Increase Throttle Linearity by +5.
  - Reduce On‑Throttle Diff a little.
  - Short‑shift more often and delay ERS Overtake to exit.
The car bogs/feels slow with Full TC in the dry
- Cause: TC cuts power too much on exit.
- Fixes:
  - Move to Medium in the dry.
  - Focus on smoother throttle ramp to reduce intervention.
Rear tires overheat after a few laps
- Cause: wheelspin on exit.
- Fixes:
  - Gentle throttle squeeze; short‑shift.
  - Slightly lower On‑Throttle Diff.
  - Consider a touch more rear wing or softer rear ARB.
  - In races, manage tire temps by backing off for a few corners.
My changes don’t seem to apply
- Cause: setup/assist not saved or wrong profile.
- Fixes:
  - Confirm you edited the correct controller profile and assists.
  - In the garage, make sure you Apply the setup before leaving.
  - Restart the session if needed.
League/multiplayer bans TC
- Plan:
  - Keep your controller calibration and diff mapping.
  - Practice short stints with TC Off in Time Trial.
  - Prioritize consistency over peak pace at first.
Wet weather chaos even with Full TC
- Tips:
  - Use higher gears through traction zones (3rd/4th).
  - Be very gentle with throttle.
  - Avoid Overtake until the car is straight.
  - Expect longer braking distances and lower corner speeds.

Note: Don’t max out any single slider to “solve” traction. Extremes often create new problems.

Pro Tips Once You’re Comfortable

Step-down progression: Full (wet) → Medium (dry) → short practice stints Off → longer stints Off → consider Off for quali/races when consistent.
Save two controller profiles: one for “Safe Race” (Medium TC, higher linearity) and one for “Hotlap Practice” (lower assists).
Use audio/feel: rising RPM + slight rear wiggle = back off 5–10% throttle, short‑shift, then reapply.
Compare ghosts in Time Trial: if you lose time only on exits, focus on throttle ramps and diff tuning before ditching TC entirely.

How to Know It’s Working (Definition of Done)

You can complete 10 clean laps in Practice/Time Trial with:
- Zero spins on slow-corner exits.
- Rear tire temps mostly under ~105°C after traction zones.
- A visible, smooth throttle trace (no rapid 0–100–0 spikes).
- Lap times improving by consistency, not risky launches.
In races, you can follow another car and still exit cleanly without lighting up the rears.

Controller setup: Get your pad dialed in with our F125 controller calibration guide.
Throttle and gear drills: Learn short‑shifting and throttle-ramp techniques designed for pad users.
Car setup for traction: Principles for diff, suspension, and wing tweaks that help rear grip without killing rotation.

If you came here asking “should I use traction control on controller in F125,” the practical answer is: use Medium in the dry, Full in the wet, tune your controller for smooth inputs, and gradually train toward Off. Consistency first; speed follows.