Custom Handling Tuning

Advanced handling configuration for creating realistic and unique vehicle physics.

Handling Model Reference

Different vehicle classes use different handling bases. Copy from similar vehicle:

<!-- Example: Reference ADDER (sports car) for custom sports car -->
<Item type="CHandlingData">
  <handlingName>MYCUSTOM</handlingName>
  <!-- Base this on ADDER handling -->
</Item>

Drive Train Configuration

Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)

<fDriveBiasFront>1.0</fDriveBiasFront>
<fTractionBiasFront>1.0</fTractionBiasFront>
<fDriveInertia>1.0</fDriveInertia>

<!-- Characteristics -->
<!-- Good: Front-heavy grip, easy control -->
<!-- Bad: Understeer at high speed -->

Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)

<fDriveBiasFront>0.0</fDriveBiasFront>
<fTractionBiasFront>0.0</fTractionBiasFront>
<fDriveInertia>0.8</fDriveInertia>

<!-- Characteristics -->
<!-- Good: Drifting, responsive -->
<!-- Bad: Oversteer, harder to control -->

All-Wheel Drive (AWD)

<fDriveBiasFront>0.5</fDriveBiasFront>
<fTractionBiasFront>0.5</fTractionBiasFront>
<fDriveInertia>1.2</fDriveInertia>

<!-- Characteristics -->
<!-- Good: Balanced, all-weather grip -->
<!-- Bad: Understeer, less drifty -->

Suspension Tuning

Soft Suspension (Comfort)

<fSuspensionForce>0.9</fSuspensionForce>
<fSuspensionCompDamp>0.08</fSuspensionCompDamp>
<fSuspensionReboundDamp>0.10</fSuspensionReboundDamp>
<fSuspensionHeight>0.20</fSuspensionHeight>

<!-- Effects -->
<!-- - Smoother ride on bumps -->
<!-- - Body sway in corners -->
<!-- - Slower recovery -->

Medium Suspension (Balanced)

<fSuspensionForce>1.1</fSuspensionForce>
<fSuspensionCompDamp>0.12</fSuspensionCompDamp>
<fSuspensionReboundDamp>0.13</fSuspensionReboundDamp>
<fSuspensionHeight>0.15</fSuspensionHeight>

<!-- Effects -->
<!-- - Good all-around handling -->
<!-- - Reasonable comfort and control -->
<!-- - Balanced responsiveness -->

Stiff Suspension (Sport)

<fSuspensionForce>1.5</fSuspensionForce>
<fSuspensionCompDamp>0.18</fSuspensionCompDamp>
<fSuspensionReboundDamp>0.18</fSuspensionReboundDamp>
<fSuspensionHeight>0.10</fSuspensionHeight>

<!-- Effects -->
<!-- - Responsive handling -->
<!-- - Harsh ride -->
<!-- - Quick recovery -->

Anti-Roll Bar (Sway Bar)

Control body lean during turns:

<fAntiRollBarForce>1.2</fAntiRollBarForce>        <!-- Sway resistance -->
<fAntiRollBarBiasFront>0.65</fAntiRollBarBiasFront> <!-- 0.0=rear, 1.0=front -->

<!-- Higher values = less sway, stiffer feel -->
<!-- Bias towards front = understeer -->
<!-- Bias towards rear = oversteer -->

Braking Configuration

Balanced Brakes

<fBrakeForce>1.0</fBrakeForce>
<fBrakeBiasFront>0.65</fBrakeBiasFront>
<fHandBrakeForce>1.0</fHandBrakeForce>

<!-- 65/35 front-to-rear is realistic -->

Performance Brakes

<fBrakeForce>1.3</fBrakeForce>
<fBrakeBiasFront>0.70</fBrakeBiasFront>
<fHandBrakeForce>1.2</fHandBrakeForce>

<!-- Stronger braking with aggressive bias -->

Off-Road Brakes

<fBrakeForce>0.8</fBrakeForce>
<fBrakeBiasFront>0.50</fBrakeBiasFront>
<fHandBrakeForce>1.5</fHandBrakeForce>

<!-- More even distribution for loose terrain -->
<!-- Strong handbrake for off-road control -->

Traction Control

Traction Curve

<fTractionCurveMax>1.5</fTractionCurveMax>    <!-- Grip with traction -->
<fTractionCurveMin>1.0</fTractionCurveMin>    <!-- Grip without traction -->
<fTractionLossMult>1.5</fTractionLossMult>    <!-- Loss under acceleration -->
<fSuspensionBiasFront>0.48</fSuspensionBiasFront>

High traction values:

<fTractionCurveMax>2.0</fTractionCurveMax>    <!-- Sticky grip -->
<fTractionCurveMin>1.5</fTractionCurveMin>
<!-- Result: Difficult to lose grip, hard to drift -->

Low traction values:

<fTractionCurveMax>1.0</fTractionCurveMax>    <!-- Slippery -->
<fTractionCurveMin>0.7</fTractionCurveMin>
<!-- Result: Easy to lose grip, easy to drift -->

Steering Configuration

Responsive Steering

<fSteeringLock>50.0</fSteeringLock>           <!-- Max angle (degrees) -->
<fSteerAssistance>0.3</fSteerAssistance>      <!-- Assisted turning -->
<fTractionBiasFront>0.5</fTractionBiasFront>  <!-- Balance -->

<!-- Characteristics -->
<!-- - Quick response to input -->
<!-- - Easier to control -->
<!-- - Good for arcade feel -->

Realistic Steering

<fSteeringLock>40.0</fSteeringLock>           <!-- Realistic angle -->
<fSteerAssistance>0.0</fSteerAssistance>      <!-- No assistance -->
<fTractionBiasFront>0.5</fTractionBiasFront>

<!-- Characteristics -->
<!-- - Matches real vehicle behavior -->
<!-- - Requires more skill -->
<!-- - More challenging but rewarding -->

Tight Handling (Race)

<fSteeringLock>35.0</fSteeringLock>           <!-- Limited angle -->
<fSteerAssistance>0.0</fSteerAssistance>      <!-- No assistance -->
<fTractionBiasFront>0.6</fTractionBiasFront>

<!-- Characteristics -->
<!-- - Precise, high-speed control -->
<!-- - Requires precision -->
<!-- - Best for racing -->

Complete Tuning Example

Sport Car Setup

<Item type="CHandlingData">
  <handlingName>MYSPORTCAR</handlingName>
  
  <!-- Mass & Physics -->
  <fMass>1400.0</fMass>
  <fInertiaMult>1.0</fInertiaMult>
  
  <!-- Aerodynamics -->
  <fInitialDragCoeff>0.30</fInitialDragCoeff>
  <fDownforceModifier>1.5</fDownforceModifier>
  
  <!-- Drivetrain -->
  <fDriveBiasFront>0.3</fDriveBiasFront>      <!-- RWD biased -->
  <fAcceleration>1.0</fAcceleration>
  <fEstimatedMaxSpeed>220.0</fEstimatedMaxSpeed>
  
  <!-- Braking -->
  <fBrakeForce>1.1</fBrakeForce>
  <fBrakeBiasFront>0.70</fBrakeBiasFront>
  
  <!-- Steering -->
  <fSteeringLock>45.0</fSteeringLock>
  <fSteerAssistance>0.0</fSteerAssistance>
  
  <!-- Suspension (Stiff) -->
  <fSuspensionForce>1.3</fSuspensionForce>
  <fSuspensionCompDamp>0.15</fSuspensionCompDamp>
  <fSuspensionReboundDamp>0.15</fSuspensionReboundDamp>
  
  <!-- Traction -->
  <fTractionCurveMax>1.6</fTractionCurveMax>
  <fTractionCurveMin>1.1</fTractionCurveMin>
  
  <!-- Anti-roll bar -->
  <fAntiRollBarForce>1.3</fAntiRollBarForce>
  <fAntiRollBarBiasFront>0.65</fAntiRollBarBiasFront>
</Item>

Drift Car Setup

<Item type="CHandlingData">
  <handlingName>MYDRIFTCAR</handlingName>
  
  <!-- Mass & Physics -->
  <fMass>1300.0</fMass>
  
  <!-- Aerodynamics -->
  <fInitialDragCoeff>0.35</fInitialDragCoeff>
  <fDownforceModifier>1.0</fDownforceModifier>
  
  <!-- Drivetrain -->
  <fDriveBiasFront>0.0</fDriveBiasFront>      <!-- Pure RWD -->
  <fAcceleration>0.95</fAcceleration>
  
  <!-- Braking -->
  <fBrakeForce>1.0</fBrakeForce>
  <fBrakeBiasFront>0.50</fBrakeBiasFront>    <!-- Even distribution -->
  <fHandBrakeForce>1.3</fHandBrakeForce>     <!-- Strong handbrake -->
  
  <!-- Steering -->
  <fSteeringLock>50.0</fSteeringLock>        <!-- More lock angle -->
  <fSteerAssistance>0.0</fSteerAssistance>
  
  <!-- Suspension (Moderate) -->
  <fSuspensionForce>1.1</fSuspensionForce>
  <fSuspensionCompDamp>0.12</fSuspensionCompDamp>
  
  <!-- Traction (Drifty) -->
  <fTractionCurveMax>1.2</fTractionCurveMax> <!-- Lower grip -->
  <fTractionCurveMin>0.9</fTractionCurveMin>
  <fTractionLossMult>1.8</fTractionLossMult> <!-- Easy to lose grip -->
</Item>

Tuning Process

1. Start with reference - Copy similar vehicle
2. Adjust mass - For realistic feel
3. Test acceleration - Verify top speed
4. Tune suspension - Find comfort/control balance
5. Adjust braking - Realistic stopping distance
6. Fine-tune steering - Response and feel
7. Test in various conditions - Roads, off-road, water
8. Compare to stock vehicles - Ensure balance

Testing & Validation

-- Test script for handling
local vehicle = GetVehiclePedIsIn(PlayerPedId())

-- Acceleration test
-- Brake test
-- Turning test
-- Traction test

Test metrics:

• 0-100 km/h time
• Top speed
• Braking distance
• Turning radius
• Traction loss situations

Common Tuning Mistakes

• Too high mass - Vehicle feels sluggish
• Too stiff suspension - Bouncy, unstable
• Incorrect brake bias - Locks up wheels
• Mismatched steering - Feels unresponsive
• Wrong traction values - Too slippery or sticky

Reference Values

Mass

• Compact: 1000-1200 kg
• Sports: 1300-1500 kg
• Muscle: 1600-1800 kg
• SUV: 2000-2500 kg
• Truck: 2500-4000 kg

Acceleration

• Compact: 0.9-1.0
• Sports: 1.0-1.2
• Muscle: 0.8-0.9
• SUV: 0.6-0.7

Top Speed

• Compact: 180-190
• Sports: 200-230
• Muscle: 210-240
• SUV: 180-200

Keep these values realistic for authentic handling!