How to Create Custom Handling in GTA 5 - Vehicle Physics Guide 2025

How to Create Custom Handling in GTA 5

Handling files control how vehicles drive in GTA 5. This guide teaches you to modify and create custom handling for any vehicle.

What is handling.meta?

handling.meta is an XML file that defines vehicle physics including:

• Mass and weight distribution
• Acceleration and top speed
• Braking force
• Suspension settings
• Traction and grip
• Damage resistance

Finding handling.meta

Location: mods/update/update.rpf/common/data/handling.meta

Basic Handling Parameters

Mass Settings:

• fMass - Vehicle weight (kg)
• fInitialDragCoeff - Air resistance
• fPercentSubmerged - Buoyancy

Speed Settings:

• fInitialDriveForce - Acceleration power
• fDriveInertia - RPM change speed
• fInitialDriveMaxFlatVel - Top speed (in weird units)

Braking:

• fBrakeForce - Braking power
• fBrakeBiasFront - Front brake bias (0.0-1.0)
• fHandBrakeForce - Handbrake strength

Traction:

• fTractionCurveMax - Maximum grip
• fTractionCurveMin - Minimum grip
• fTractionLossMult - Traction loss rate

Editing handling.meta

1. Open OpenIV
2. Navigate to handling.meta location
3. Enable Edit Mode
4. Export handling.meta
5. Edit with text editor (Notepad++)
6. Find vehicle by handlingName
7. Modify values
8. Save and import back

Creating New Handling

1. Copy existing vehicle handling block
2. Change handlingName to match your vehicle
3. Adjust parameters
4. Add to handling.meta
5. Reference in vehicles.meta

Common Modifications

Faster Acceleration:

Increase fInitialDriveForce (try 0.4-0.8)

Higher Top Speed:

Increase fInitialDriveMaxFlatVel

Better Grip:

Increase fTractionCurveMax and Min

Softer Suspension:

Lower fSuspensionForce

Testing Changes

1. Save handling.meta
2. Start GTA 5
3. Spawn vehicle
4. Test driving feel
5. Adjust as needed

Tips

• Make small changes at a time
• Keep backup of original
• Compare with similar vehicles
• Test in various conditions

Conclusion

Custom handling lets you fine-tune how vehicles feel. Experiment to find your perfect driving experience!