Automobilista 2 Handbrake Guide
Automobilista 2 has quietly become the second-best handbrake sim on the market (behind Richard Burns Rally). The tire model reacts to rear-lock braking with surprising nuance—especially in the wet.
Don’t let your handbrake sit there gathering dust. Calibrate it, practice your hairpins at Londrina, and rediscover how much fun sliding a 500hp Rallycross car actually is.
Have you found a secret handbrake tune for a specific AMS2 car? Let us know in the comments below.
Enjoyed this guide? Check back next week for "Trail Braking in the McLaren MP4/12: Why you’re losing 0.5 seconds at Spa."
Setting up a handbrake in Automobilista 2 (AMS2) is essential for Rallycross (RX), drifting, or performing tight U-turns. Quick Setup Guide Open Settings: Go to Options > Controls > Configuration.
Bind the Input: Look for the Handbrake binding (note: some users confuse this with "Extra Brake," which is actually for specialized car features like the McLaren F1's turning brake).
Calibrate: If using an analog USB handbrake, ensure you calibrate it so the game recognizes the full range of motion.
Test the Car: Not all cars in AMS2 have a functional handbrake. Use a Rallycross (RX) car or a Caterham to confirm it's working. Hardware Tips
No Handbrake?: You can map a button on your wheel or use a "clutch-to-handbrake" trick where the top 5-10% of your clutch pedal travel acts as a handbrake.
USB Handbrakes: If your device isn't being detected, try disabling Steam Input in the game's Steam properties.
Custom Profiles: If bindings won't save, create a Custom Wheel profile instead of using a preset. Troubleshooting No handbrake bind? - Reiza Studios Forum
Mastering the Handbrake in Automobilista 2: Setup, Mapping, and Mastery Automobilista 2 (AMS2)
is celebrated for its diverse car classes, but getting a handbrake to work correctly can sometimes feel like a puzzle. Whether you are attacking a Rallycross hairpin or initiating a drift, a properly configured handbrake is essential. This guide covers how to set up, map, and use your handbrake to its full potential. 1. How to Map Your Handbrake in AMS2
One common point of confusion is that the handbrake mapping isn't always labeled "Handbrake" for every car. For certain vehicles, like the McLaren MP4/12 which uses a "fiddle brake," the function is mapped to Extra Brake.
Step 1: Go to the Control menu and select the Edit Assignments tab. Step 2: Look for the Extra Brake or Handbrake field.
Step 3: Assign your physical handbrake axis or button to this slot.
Step 4: If your device is not being detected, try setting your configuration to Custom Wheel and then re-mapping all buttons. 2. Calibration for Precise Control
If your handbrake feels like a simple on/off switch instead of an analog lever, you may need to calibrate it externally or use specific software like DIView to ensure the sim recognizes the full range of motion.
Deadzone Adjustments: Check for deadzones in your wheelbase hub software (e.g., Moza Pit House or Fanatec Control Panel) to ensure the handbrake engages immediately upon pulling.
Analog vs. Digital: Use an analog handbrake (like those with Hall Effect or Load Cell sensors) for progressive locking rather than a simple button press. 3. Which Cars Support a Handbrake? automobilista 2 handbrake
Not every car in AMS2 has a functional handbrake. Modern GT3 and open-wheel racers typically do not use them. You will find the most success with:
Rallycross (RX): Essential for tight "hairpin" turns and launch control.
Caterhams: Many of these lightweight sports cars support the handbrake for rotation.
Street Cars: Older or specialized street-legal vehicles often have a functional handbrake in the sim. 4. Recommended Hardware for AMS2
If you are looking to add a dedicated handbrake to your rig, these models are highly rated by the community for their reliability and feel: Best Sim Racing Handbrakes: Complete Buyers Guide 2026
Compared to titles like DiRT Rally 2.0, AMS2’s handbrake initially received criticism for feeling "weak" or inconsistent in early access builds. Critics noted that in some vehicles, the rear wheels would not lock as readily as expected. However, subsequent physics updates (specifically the tire model overhauls in 2021-2023) improved the handbrake behavior significantly. The current consensus is that AMS2 offers a more "visceral" feeling—slides are harder to catch than in DiRT Rally 2.0, which some consider more forgiving.
Once mapped, click the "Calibrate" wrench icon next to the input.
Common Bug: Sometimes AMS2 reverses the axis. If your handbrake acts as "always on" until you pull it, go back to the mapping, select "Invert Axis."
Unlike circuit racing where the handbrake is rarely used (except for spin recovery), Automobilista 2 features disciplines where it is a primary control. Titles like the Rallycross DLC and cars such as the Mitsubishi Lancer RS or Fiat Uno Rallye depend on the handbrake to initiate oversteer.
Without a functional handbrake, drivers suffer from:
In AMS2, the handbrake is not an on/off switch. The game simulates analogue input. Squeezing the brake at 30% pressure mid-corner yields a very different result than yanking it to 100%. Understanding this nuance is the first step to shaving seconds off your lap times.
The Automobilista 2 handbrake is a deeply nuanced tool that separates the sim racing tourists from the asphalt veterans. Whether you are ripping a Volkswagen Polo RX through the dirt of Belgium or sliding a classic Opala Stock Car around a Brazilian oval, the handbrake is your key to rotational dominance.
Remember the golden rules:
With over 200 hours of testing in AMS2, the single best piece of advice is this: Go to Time Trial mode, select the Caterham Superlight R500 (a car that hates handbrake abuse), and practice using the handbrake at only 20% pressure. If you can rotate that car without spinning, you have mastered the Automobilista 2 handbrake.
Now get on the track, pull that lever, and slide into victory.
Have a specific AMS2 handbrake setup question? Visit the Reiza Studios forums or the official Automobilista 2 subreddit for community-made calibration files.
Mastering the handbrake in Automobilista 2 (AMS2) is essential for Rallycross (RX), drifting, and specific vintage racing scenarios. Unlike many modern racing simulators where a handbrake is a standard toggle, AMS2 treats it as a specialized input often labeled as the "Extra Brake." 1. Essential Setup & Configuration
To use a handbrake, you must first ensure it is correctly mapped and calibrated within the game's engine.
Locating the Binding: In the Controls menu, look for the entry labeled "Extra Brake". This is the dedicated mapping for handbrakes in AMS2. Analog vs. Digital: Automobilista 2 has quietly become the second-best handbrake
Analog Handbrakes: High-end peripherals like the Simagic TB-1 or Fanatec ClubSport Handbrake provide a range of input (0–100%). If your analog device isn't being detected, ensure you are using the "Custom" controller profile.
Digital/Buttons: You can map a keyboard key (like 'H') or a wheel button, but you must hold it down to keep the rear wheels locked.
Calibration Tip: If your handbrake feels too sensitive or behaves like an on/off switch, use external tools like DIView to calibrate the axis before opening AMS2. 2. Compatibility: Which Cars Have a Handbrake?
Not every car in AMS2 is equipped with a handbrake. If you map the "Extra Brake" and nothing happens, the car likely doesn't have one in real life. Vehicle Class Handbrake Status Usage Context Rallycross (RX) Yes Tight hairpins and initiating slides on dirt. Drift Cars Yes Maintaining drift angles and weight transfer. Vintage/Street Cars Partial
Some older touring cars or street-legal models (e.g., Opala Oldstock). GT3 / GTE / Formula No
These use a standard brake pedal only; handbrakes are physically absent. 3. Advanced Techniques & "Fiddle Brakes"
AMS2 uses the "Extra Brake" slot for more than just traditional handbrakes:
The McLaren MP4/12 "Fiddle Brake": In certain historic F1 cars, the "Extra Brake" acts as a second brake pedal used to curb understeer by braking only the inside rear wheel.
The RX Launch: To achieve a perfect launch in Rallycross, hold both the Extra Brake and Clutch while revving, then release both simultaneously to snap off the line. 4. Troubleshooting Common Issues
Not Detected: If your handbrake (especially Arduino-based) isn't appearing, try changing your Controller Type to "Separate" rather than "Wheel" to allow the game to see multiple USB inputs.
Over-Sensitivity: If the car spins instantly with a light touch, check your Brake Sensitivity settings in the Configuration menu. A lower sensitivity (closer to 0) provides a more linear, controllable feel for analog handbrakes. No handbrake bind? - Reiza Studios Forum
In Automobilista 2 (AMS2), using a handbrake is more nuanced than in arcade racers, as its functionality is tied to the specific mechanical design of each car. 1. Key Binding and Setup
To use a handbrake, you must first assign it in the settings.
Location: Navigate to Options > Controls > Assignments > Chassis. Binding: Look for the Handbrake or Extra Brake assignment.
Device Support: Both digital buttons (keyboard/wheel buttons) and analog handbrake axes (specialized sim gear) are supported.
Configuration: If your dedicated handbrake isn't recognized, try using the Custom Wheel profile, then re-map all axes and calibrate your pedals. 2. Vehicle Compatibility
Not every car in AMS2 responds to a handbrake input because many professional race cars simply do not have one.
Functional Handbrakes: You will typically find working handbrakes in: Street Cars: Traditional road cars like the Caterham 620R.
Drift/Rally Content: Cars specifically designed for off-road or sideways racing. Historic Cars: Older models like the Opala Oldstock. Enjoyed this guide
Electronic Limitations: Modern street cars often feature electronic parking brakes that cannot be engaged while the vehicle is in motion.
Special Case (Extra Brake): On cars like the McLaren MP4/12, the "Extra Brake" bind activates a second brake pedal that applies force to only one side of the car to assist with turn-in, rather than acting as a traditional handbrake. 3. Usage Techniques
Rotation: Use a quick "tug" to lock the rear wheels and initiate rotation in tight hairpins.
Throttle Control: In some vehicles, you must release the throttle for the handbrake to engage effectively.
Heat Management: Frequent use can drastically increase rear tire temperatures, which may lead to reduced grip and increased wear over a race. 4. Troubleshooting Common Issues Potential Solution No Response
The car likely doesn't have a handbrake. Test with a road-legal car like a Caterham to confirm. Input Not Found
Ensure you are looking in the "Chassis" tab of the assignments menu. Calibration
If using an analog handbrake, calibrate it in the Edit Assignments screen to ensure it reaches 100% travel.
Mastering the handbrake in Automobilista 2 (AMS2) is essential for anyone looking to conquer Rallycross (RX), tackle tight hairpins in street cars, or learn the art of drifting. While the game's physics are highly detailed, getting your handbrake to feel "right" requires a specific setup process. How to Map and Calibrate Your Handbrake
Unlike standard brakes, handbrakes often require manual binding and careful calibration to avoid dragging.
Locating the Binding: In the English UI, the handbrake is often found under "Handbrake" or "Extra Brake" in the control assignments.
Note: There is a common misconception that "Extra Brake" is only for the McLaren F1's specialized braking system, but it is frequently used as the primary handbrake bind for RX cars. Calibration Steps: Go to the Control Configuration menu.
Ensure your handbrake is recognized as an axis (for analog levers) or a button.
If using an analog handbrake, use the Calibrate Pedals screen to ensure the game sees 0% input when at rest and 100% when fully pulled.
Fixing Deadzone Issues: If your handbrake feels "stuck" or partially engaged (dragging), it is often due to the potentiometer not dropping to zero. You can use external tools like DIView to manually set deadzones for custom handbrake hardware. Best Cars for Handbrake Use
Not every car in AMS2 is equipped with a handbrake. For the best experience, stick to these categories: No handbrake bind? - Reiza Studios Forum
While AMS2 is not CarX Drift Racing, its physics engine produces incredibly realistic drifting when you master the Automobilista 2 handbrake.
To link drifts (e.g., on the Cascavel circuit):
Do not use the handbrake mid-drift to increase angle. In AMS2, that kills momentum. Use it only to initiate or tighten an existing line.