How to turn off the rear view mirror in Assetto Corsa

Simulator Assetto Corsa is rightfully considered the standard of realism in the world of racing games, but for many enthusiasts, visual noise can be a serious hindrance. The game's standard interface has many elements enabled by default, including rear-view mirror displays that often obscure critical sections of the track. It is necessary to remove this element not only for the sake of aesthetics, but also to increase concentration during time trials or online races on complex track configurations.

The deactivation process may seem confusing to a newbie, since the developers did not place this option in a prominent place in the main menu. There are several ways to solve the problem: from simple settings inside the game interface to editing system configuration files. The choice of a specific method depends on whether you are using a licensed version, a modified Custom UI or launch the game with a set of third-party plugins.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at all the available options for turning off mirrors so you can set up the perfect cockpit. We will look at both standard tools and advanced methods for experienced users who want to gain maximum control over the visual component of the simulator. Understanding these settings will allow you to adapt the game to your preferences and perception characteristics.

Setting up the standard game interface

The easiest and safest way to remove unnecessary elements is to use the built-in graphics settings. In the basic version Assetto Corsa control of the display of mirrors is implemented through the options menu, but it is often hidden from the eyes of the inattentive user. You need to go to the main menu, select a section Optionsand then tab Display. This is where the switches that control the visibility of various Heads-Up Display (HUD) elements are located.

However, it is worth considering that the standard menu may not contain a separate checkbox specifically for the “rear view mirror” in some patch versions. In this case, look for the option Mirrors or Enable Mirrors. If you disable this feature globally, the game will stop rendering reflections, which can even slightly improve FPS on weaker computers. This is especially true for owners of old video cards, where every frame counts.

If you are using a modified interface, such as the popular Content Manager, the path to the settings will be different. In this case, the logic of operation is preserved, but the arrangement of elements becomes more intuitive. You don't have to delve into the jungle of the standard menu, since most of the functions are placed on the main screen of the simulator settings.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling mirror rendering in the graphics settings may result in black rectangles remaining in the cockpit if the interior textures have not been optimized by modders.

After making changes, be sure to save the settings profile. The game allows you to create multiple profiles for different hardware configurations, so make sure that you edit the exact file that is loaded at startup. This will save you from having to repeat the procedure every time you start the simulator.

Using Content Manager for fine-tuning

For most players Content Manager (CM) has become an indispensable tool, replacing the standard launcher. This manager provides advanced interface customization options, including flexible mirror management. To access the options you need, open Settings in the lower right corner, then go to Assetto Corsa and select a tab General. Here you can find a switch responsible for forced hiding of UI elements.

A more advanced method involves using the CM's built-in UI editor. Pressing a key Ctrl+Shift+H during the check-in (if assigned) or through the overlay settings, you can edit visible elements in real time. This allows you to specifically remove the mirror, leaving, for example, a speedometer or lap timer. This approach provides maximum flexibility and does not require knowledge of code.

Also in Content Manager The "Pure" function is available, which completely reworks the graphics engine. In Pure's settings you can fine-tune the behavior of cameras and reflections. If you have this plugin installed, look for the section Pure Settings → Camera FX → Mirrors. There you can not only turn off the mirrors, but also change their resolution or refresh rate, which is useful for tuning performance.

Editing configuration files manually

If the graphical interface does not give the desired result, you can always turn to the hardware of the game - the configuration files. This method requires caution, as one error in the syntax can cause the game to crash or reset all settings. You will need a text editor such as Notepad++ or standard Notepad. The file we are interested in is usually called options.ini or cfg and is located in the documents folder: Documents/Assetto Corsa/system.

After opening the file, find the section responsible for HUD or Graphics. You need to find the line containing the parameter MIRRORS or ENABLE_MIRRORS. Meaning 1 usually means "on" and 0 - "off". Change the value to zero and save the file. It is strongly recommended that you create a backup copy of the original file before editing.

There is also a file video_config.cfg, which stores graphics settings. It may contain options related to real-time rendering of reflections. If you want to completely prevent the engine from calculating mirrors, you can try adding or changing the line MIRROR_RESOLUTION=0. This is guaranteed to remove the load on the video card associated with calculating reflections.

Parameter	Value 0	Value 1	Location
ENABLE_MIRRORS	Off	Included	options.ini
MIRROR_QUALITY	Low/No	High	video_config.cfg
HUD_VISIBILITY	Hidden	Display	options.ini
REAR_VIEW_MODE	Camera	Mirror	system.cfg

Console commands and hidden settings

For those who prefer speed and accuracy, Assetto Corsa suggests using console commands. The developer console allows you to enter commands directly, changing the game state on the fly. To activate the console, you may need to enable the option Enable Developer Console in the file system.cfg. After this, pressing the key ~ (tilde) during check-in, you will have access to the input line.

One of the useful commands is to switch camera views, which indirectly affects the display of mirrors. Team cam 0 switches the view from the cockpit, where the mirrors are most visible. However, to directly control the UI there is a command ui_hide 1, which hides the entire interface. More specific commands for mirrors may depend on installed plugins, such as CSP (Custom Shaders Patch).

List of useful console commands

ac_debug_render 0 - disables debug rendering|ui_hide 1 - hides the interface|cam 0 - cockpit view|fps 1 - displays the frame counter

Using the console is especially effective in conjunction with macros. You can assign a keyboard shortcut to execute the command to turn off the mirrors, which will allow you to remove them only when, for example, leaving the pit lane, when visibility is critical. This gives a tactical advantage in online racing.

Impact of Mods and Custom Shaders Patch

Modern Assetto Corsa unthinkable without modifications, and Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) is the king among them. This patch not only improves the graphics, but also adds hundreds of new settings. In the CSP section called Extras or UI You can often find options to fine-tune the mirrors. For example, you can make them translucent or change the viewing angle, which functionally equates to turning them off for peripheral vision.

Many car mods also have their own mirror settings. Some cockpit addons allow you to “break” or remove mirrors through the car selection menu before the race. If you are using modified cars, check your mod folder for the file ui_car.json or similar, where interface parameters for a specific car can be specified.

It’s worth mentioning the mods for the tracks. Some track configurations may force certain types of cameras or mirrors to be enabled for scripted events. In such cases, global disabling through the game settings may not work and will require intervention in the track files itself, which requires 3D modeling skills or working with the track source code.

⚠️ Warning: Installing a large number of graphics mods simultaneously with CSP may cause conflicts, causing mirror settings to be reset every time the game is restarted.

Optimizing performance when disconnected

Disabling mirrors is not only a matter of convenience, but also a powerful optimization tool. Rendering reflections in real time is one of the hardest tasks for the GPU. In simulators where stability of 60 or 144 FPS is important, eliminating mirrors can give a performance increase of up to 10-15%. This is especially noticeable on VR headsets, where every millisecond of latency affects the player's vestibular system.

If your goal is maximum FPS, simply hiding the mirror from view is not enough. You need to make sure that the game stops counting it. In the video settings, select the minimum resolution for mirrors or disable them completely as described above. It is also recommended to reduce the parameter Reflection Resolution in general graphics settings.

Check the game logs after making changes. If you see that the load on the GPU has dropped and the frame counter has become more stable, then the method has worked. Unstable FPS often leads to image jerks, which is unacceptable in a racing simulator for precise trajectory control.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to turn off only the side mirrors, leaving the center one?

There is no such option in the standard settings; the game treats mirrors as a single object. However, using Content Manager and by modifying UI files, you can achieve selective hiding of elements, but this will require manual editing of the interface code.

Why were the mirror settings reset after updating the game?

Updates often overwrite configuration files options.ini default values. To avoid this, keep your customized config files in a separate folder and copy them back after each simulator update.

Does disabling mirrors affect online ratings or bans?

No, changing local graphics and interface settings, including disabling mirrors, is not cheating and does not entail sanctions from the servers. This is considered to be personalizing the player's experience.

How can I get all the settings back if I get confused in the files?

The easiest way is to delete the file options.ini from folder Documents/Assetto Corsa/system. The next time you launch the game, it will create a new file with factory default settings.