Do you want to learn how to tune gears in Forza Horizon 5 or earlier Forza titles? The math behind gearing can be a bit confusing. You can do it by hand looking at the graph, but it takes about 1/10th of the time if you use a gearing calculator like ForzaTune Pro.
So let’s break down the steps you need when tuning gears.
Time Needed: 5 minutes
Required Tools:
- Xbox console or Win 10 PC
- Forza Horizon or Motorsport
- ForzaTune Pro (Tuning Calculator App)
How to Tune Gears in Forza Using the Gearing Calculator
1. Determine if you need to tune gears
If your vehicle does not have major upgrades or engine swaps, you can most likely skip the full transmission tuning (race transmission) and install a sports transmission instead.
Raise final drive for more acceleration on shorter circuits. Lower final drive for more top speed.
If you have significant upgrades or the stock gears are more for fuel economy (think 90s sports cars) continue to step 2.
2. Install Race Transmission
If this is not an option, then your vehicle likely supports gearing changes by default.
3. Find Vehicle Information in Forza
Jump over to the power upgrade section and select any type of engine upgrade that will show the power and torque graph. Toggle the display (usually Y Button) until you can see details like weight and max torque.
4. Open ForzaTune Pro and Go to Gearing Screen
Select a previously Saved Tune or create a New Tune from the main menu and enter details for your vehicle. Select Include Gearing Tune at the bottom and hit Next. This will take you to the gearing screen.
5. Copy Power Band Information
Click Power Band in the app and then use the diagram below to match values to what the app needs.
Where to Find These Values
The power/torque graph can be found in the upgrade menu. You can also use telemetry and enter the rpm values directly, but the graph is typically faster to read and reasonably accurate.
RPM Scale
Your engine’s power/torque graph will have a scale along the bottom axis. Common examples are “0-4-8” and “0-5-10”. Select whichever button matches the game. This will scale the sliders for redline and max torque rpm – allowing you to quickly estimate values using the tick marks. For custom scales select the question mark button, and type in the maximum value directly.
Redline RPM
This is the maximum engine speed you will run before shifting. Use where the graph ends, or the maximum rpm shown when driving with telemetry. The latter is technically the rev limiter rpm.
Max Torque RPM
This is the engine speed where maximum torque is available. It will typically be 2000-4000 rpm below the redline. The quickest way to determine this is via the power/torque graph. Find the highest point on the torque curve, and drop an imaginary line down to the axis. Then use the slider to match that point and estimate the rpm. If the torque curve is broad and a maximum value is hard to determine, then choose the earliest engine speed where the maximum occurs.
6. Fill Out Remaining Gearing Details
You will want to copy max torque and select whether the vehicle has forced induction such as a turbo or supercharger.
Number of gears will usually be 6. If in later steps you find out the car has more, come back and change them to quickly recalculate.
Tire size will be found on the tire upgrade screen.
Simulation values can also be found in any upgrade screen where you change parts. You may need to toggle the display (usually Y button) until you see them.
The simulation values need not be exact. They help the calculator estimate the car’s potential.
7. Copy Gearing Results Into the Game
In ForzaTune hit Next to see your results. And in Forza go to the tuning menu to make changes.
Copy your values as shown in the app to the tuning menu in Forza.
8. Adjust Final Drive As Necessary
The gearing calculations make sure your car is always in the power band and it is not recommended to change the forward gears (1-6+).
But it is recommended you adjust final drive to suit your goals. By default, the app tries to find a balance between top speed and acceleration.
For best acceleration like drag racing: increase the final drive to get the lowest 0-100 mph or 160 km/h time.
For top speed runs: decrease final drive values until the simulated top speed hits a max.
Tuning Tip: if you experience any “bogging” when starting in first, please increase final drive ratio a few tenths and re-test until the car is able to launch as expected.
Video Tutorial
Want to see an example from start to finish? Check out a Forza Horizon 4 tutorial video below:
