What Is Tape And How Does It Affect Engine Cooling?

Learn what “tape” does, how it affects engine cooling, and how to set it safely in NASCAR 25. Quick steps, signs to watch, and beginner-friendly targets.

You’re fast on the straight, then suddenly the temp light flashes and the motor fades. That’s tape—great for speed, risky for heat. Here’s how to use it in NASCAR 25 without cooking the engine. What Is “Tape” And How Does It Affect Engine Cooling? This guide gives you the short answer, a 60‑second fix, and deeper tips.

Quick answer

“Tape” is race tape placed over the grille opening. More tape = less air into the radiator, more speed and front grip, but higher water/oil temps. Use more tape in clean air and cool weather; use less tape in traffic, heat, or long green runs. Aim for safe temps (watch your HUD); adjust in small 5% steps.

Do this now (60 seconds)

• Note your engine temps on the HUD after 3 clean laps: check water and oil, and any warning colors.
• If temps creep into warning, lower tape by 5–10% in your setup or next pit stop.
• Run 2 laps alone, then 2 laps tucked behind another car; if temps spike in the draft, drop another 5%.
• Qualifying? Add 5–10% tape for one hot lap—then back it down for the race.
• Map or learn the pit strategy screen so you can adjust tape during cautions if the game allows it.

What this means in NASCAR 25

• Tape blocks part of the grille so air flows over the nose instead of through the radiator. This reduces drag and can add front downforce, improving straight-line speed and turn‑in feel.
• The trade-off is engine cooling. Less air through the radiator raises water and oil temperatures; too much tape overheats and can cause power loss or engine failure.
• Why it matters: Getting tape right is free lap time. It’s a controlled risk—great for qualifying or short sprints, dangerous in long runs, hot weather, or heavy drafting.
• Terms:
  • Draft: Running close behind another car to reduce your air resistance, but you also get less clean air for your radiator.
  • Tight/Loose: Handling balance. More tape can increase front downforce a touch, sometimes making the car feel freer (less tight) on entry.

What Is “Tape” And How Does It Affect Engine Cooling? (Explained)

• More tape:
  • Pros: Higher top speed, better aero balance, sharper front grip.
  • Cons: Higher water/oil temps, smaller safety margin in traffic and cautions.
• Less tape:
  • Pros: Cooler, safer in packs and long runs.
  • Cons: Slightly slower and duller front feel.

Typical starting points (adjust to conditions):

• Superspeedways (Daytona/Talladega): 5–20% tape. You’ll be in a pack; keep it cool.
• 1.5-mile intermediates: 20–40% tape. Watch temps in traffic.
• Short tracks/road courses: 40–60% tape. Lots of on/off throttle gives some cooling, but don’t overdo it.
• Cool weather = you can try a bit more. Hot weather/sunny races = back it down.

Symptoms → likely causes → fixes (beginner-focused)

• Temp gauge turns yellow/orange after a few laps alone
  • Likely cause: Tape set too high for the ambient temp.
  • Fix: Reduce tape 5–10%; recheck after 3 laps.
• Temps fine alone, spike fast when drafting or in traffic
  • Likely cause: Blocked grille from dirty air.
  • Fix: Lower tape 5%; give yourself a small gap in the draft.
• Engine fades or “loses power” late in a run
  • Likely cause: Prolonged overheating causing heat soak.
  • Fix: Reduce tape; lift/coast a bit on straights; get into clean air.
• Overheats under caution/pace laps
  • Likely cause: Low airflow at slow speed with high tape.
  • Fix: Toggle fans if available; weave gently for some rpm air; lower tape at next stop.
• Car feels tighter mid-corner after dropping tape
  • Likely cause: Less front aero load.
  • Fix: Compensate with a small front tire pressure change or wedge, or accept the trade for cooling.

Step-by-step: How to do it

1. Find the tape setting pre‑race

• Likely path: Garage or Setup > look for Aero, Body, or Front Grille section.
• Look for a slider/percentage labeled “Grille Tape,” “Tape,” or “Nose Tape.”
• Start with a conservative value based on track type (see ranges above).

2. Adjust during the race (if NASCAR 25 allows pit changes)

• Likely path: Pit Strategy, Quick Adjust, or In‑Race Adjustments screen.
• Look for “Add Tape/Remove Tape” or a percentage field.
• Drop by 5–10% if you saw warnings, especially before long green runs.

3. Validate it’s working

• Run 3–5 laps in clean air; water temp should settle in a safe window, typically around 200–230°F in many NASCAR titles. Brief spikes are okay; sustained orange/red is not.
• Tuck in behind another car for 1–2 laps; temps should rise but not enter critical for long.

Common gotcha: A “hero” qualifying tape number will rarely survive the opening race stint. Always reduce for the start if you qualified with extra tape.

Beginner settings & assists (recommended)

• Beginner: Use a conservative tape value and enable any available temperature warnings/spotter alerts. Change tape only in 5% steps between stints.
• Intermediate: Run a slightly higher tape in qualifying (+5–10%), then reduce for race. Practice managing drafts and backing off a car length to cool.
• Advanced: Tailor tape to weather, run length, and traffic; combine with small tire pressure and brake duct adjustments if the game supports them.

Practice drill (10 minutes)

• Track: Any 1.5‑mile oval in daytime conditions.
• Plan: Start at 30% tape. Run 4 laps alone; note top speed and temps. Increase to 35%; repeat. Then draft behind AI for 2 laps at each setting.
• Focus: Find the highest tape that keeps temps stable in clean air and tolerable in a draft for 2 laps.
• Success: You identify a “safe race” tape and a “qualy” tape. Lap time drops without sustained temp warnings.
• Avoid: Jumping more than 10% at a time—you’ll overshoot and chase problems.

Common beginner mistakes (and the fix)

• Maxing tape for qualifying and forgetting to lower for the race
  • Fix: Save separate “Race” and “Qualy” setups or write down your numbers.
• Ignoring temps in the draft
  • Fix: Back off a half‑car length or drop 5% tape next stop.
• Overreacting with huge changes
  • Fix: Adjust in 5% steps and test for 3 laps.
• Overheating under caution
  • Fix: Reduce tape at the next stop; maintain some rpm and airflow if possible.
• Blaming handling only on suspension
  • Fix: Remember tape affects aero balance. If you drop tape and the car tightens, compensate elsewhere.
• Using the same tape in hot and cool sessions
  • Fix: Lower tape for hotter tracks/sessions; try +5% in cool/cloudy races.

FAQs

• What does tape do in NASCAR 25?
  • It covers part of the grille. That reduces drag and can add front grip, but it limits radiator airflow, raising engine temps. It’s a speed vs cooling trade.
• How much tape should I run at Daytona/Talladega?
  • Start very low (5–15%) because pack drafting blocks airflow. Increase only if temps stay green in traffic.
• What temps are safe?
  • In many NASCAR games, water around 200–230°F and oil slightly higher is comfortable. Brief spikes can happen; sustained orange/red means reduce tape. Follow the game’s HUD colors/warnings.
• Can I change tape during the race?
  • In many NASCAR titles you can adjust tape at pit stops via the pit strategy screen. If NASCAR 25 supports it, use 5% changes and recheck temps after the stop.
• Does cooler weather let me run more tape?
  • Yes. Cooler ambient temps and night races usually allow a bit more tape because the radiator sheds heat better.
• Why did my engine lose power after a long green run?
  • Likely heat soak from too much tape or prolonged drafting. Lower tape, find clean air, and consider shorter draft stints.

Next steps

• Recap: Tape is free speed until it isn’t—balance aero gains with safe engine temps. Adjust in small steps and always test alone and in traffic.
• Do next: Set a conservative race tape value for your next event, then build a separate qualifying version with +5–10%.
• Related articles:
  • Tire Pressures 101: Finding Pace Without Overheating
  • Drafting Basics: Clean Air vs. Pack Survival
  • Pit Strategy: Smart Adjustments Under Caution
  • Handling Balance: Tight vs. Loose Explained
  • Weather Effects: How Heat Changes Your Setup