Forza Horizon 5: how to smash starts with launch control


Starts can be tricky in Forza Horizon 5. Too many revs and you'll spin the wheels. Too few and you'll bog down and everyone will shoot off. There's a great little trick to nail starts in free-roam or multiplayer events though.

Here's how to engage launch control in Forza Horizon 5.

What is launch control?

Modern sports cars are often fitted with launch control from the factory. This system sets the clutch to the bite point and revs the engine just right to rocket off of the line. In cars with turbochargers, the launch control will also spool up the turbo so that the driver has the full benefit of the extra power from the launch.

fh5 forsberg racing
expand image
Tyre smoke looks great in Forza Horizon 5, but it's not the quickest way to start a race

Launch control is so effective that it is banned in Formula 1. Prior to 2008, the top teams in Grand Prix racing all competed to create the best software to get the car off of the line, with the Renault team arguably the best at starts. Fernando Alonso made great use of this system in his championship years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4BhWhL1Dtg

How to activate launch control in Forza Horizon 5

Launch control is very easy to use in Forza Horizon 5. You'll need to be driving with manual gears, with or without the clutch control. When you want to activate the system, you'll need to be stationary. Change gear up to 2nd and then back to 1st gear and then hold the car on the handbrake while applying full throttle. You'll find that the car won't rev to the red line. Instead it will sit at somewhere between two and three thousand revs for most cars. This will give you the optimum race start.

fh5 koenigsegg jesko
expand image
Dominate the drag strip in freeroam with unbeatable starts

You'll find that when starting races in Forza Horizon 5 you're not given enough time to activate launch control, but getting great launches will help you in beating those PR stunts or in multiplayer games across Mexico. Make the most of this competitive edge!

This Article's Topics

Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!

Forza