Fuel Calculator Overlay (Free to Use)
Helps you estimate fuel needed to finish (or hit a target pit window) based on consumption and laps/time remaining. [1]
What it does
Why it’s useful
- Prevents “ran out on the last lap” disasters.
- Helps decide whether you can stretch a stint or need to pit now.
- Supports endurance strategy (fuel save vs push vs pit window timing).
What it needs to be accurate
- A stable consumption figure (from a few laps of clean running).
- Correct session type (laps vs time-based races behave differently).
- Reasonable assumptions (traffic, cautions, weather can change consumption).
Important: Treat Fuel Calculator as a “best estimate”. Always allow a small safety margin, especially in longer races.
Best time to use
- Race: the main use — pit windows and “can I make it?” decisions.
- Endurance: essential — helps avoid strategy mistakes.
- Practice: learn your consumption and fuel-saving techniques.
- Qualifying: usually not needed (unless doing long qual sessions with fuel limits).
Quick setup
- Enable Fuel Calculator in RaceLab → Overlays.
- Place it where you can glance on straights (top-right or lower-right works well).
- Resize so the key numbers are readable but not dominant.
- Drive 3–5 clean laps to “settle” your consumption estimate.
Tip: If your consumption changes a lot, do a few laps at your planned race pace (not qualifying pace).
Simple workflow (works in most races)
Lap-based races
- Let the overlay learn your average consumption.
- Watch “fuel to finish” vs “fuel remaining”.
- If you’re short: decide fuel save or pit.
- Add a small margin to avoid last-lap surprises.
Time-based races
- Check “time remaining” and current fuel use per lap (or per minute if shown).
- Plan a pit window based on how long your current fuel will last.
- Remember: you may need an extra lap at the end if the timer hits zero mid-lap.
- Carry a margin for traffic and safety car/cautions.
Easy safety margin: add ~1 extra lap of fuel (or a small % buffer) unless you’re 100% sure of the sim/rules.
Key settings (the ones that matter)
Units & display
- Units: litres / gallons (choose what matches your sim habits).
- Decimals: fewer decimals = less noise, easier decisions.
- Highlight warnings: enable low-fuel alerts if available.
Consumption method
- If you can choose average window size, use a few laps average (stable).
- Single-lap consumption can be noisy (drafting, traffic, lifting changes it).
Placement / readability
- Keep it in a corner — it’s a “glance” overlay.
- Increase transparency slightly so it doesn’t pull focus.
- Don’t block mirrors, apexes, or brake references.
Best practice
- Drive a few clean laps before trusting the number.
- Re-check after a pit stop, weather change, or safety car.
- Always carry a small margin.
Common mistakes (and the quick fix)
“It said I was fine… then I ran out!”
- Consumption changed (traffic, pushing, weather).
- In time races, you needed an extra lap at the end.
- Fix: carry a margin + re-check after big pace changes.
Numbers look unstable
- Too few laps of data / too much “single lap” variation.
- Fix: run 3–5 steady laps, then trust the average.
Quick decision rule:
If you're close to the limit, pit.
If you're comfortably above the limit, stay out.
If you're slightly short, fuel save AND add a margin.
VR positioning
- Keep it in a corner (top-right or lower-right usually works best).
- Scale down first if it feels too “in your face”.
- Place it where you can check it on straights without turning your head.
Troubleshooting
No data / stuck values
- Complete a few clean laps to build consumption data.
- Confirm the correct sim is selected and telemetry is connected.
- Toggle the overlay off/on after the session loads.
Doesn’t match the sim’s fuel use
- Make sure you’re comparing the same units (litres vs gallons).
- Consumption changes with pace — test at race pace.
- Always treat it as an estimate and carry a margin.
Sources & References
[1]
Fuel Calculator Overlay screenshot (RaceLab UI image provided for this support site).
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