You’re staring at the taillights of a Dodge Viper on the Special Stage Route X. No matter how hard you floor it, that gap isn't closing. It’s frustrating. You’ve tuned the suspension, you’ve messed with the gear ratios, and you’ve swapped the oil. But you’re still missing that extra "oomph" to clear the finish line first. This is exactly where learning how to use nitrous in GT7 changes the entire dynamic of the game. It isn't just about pressing a button; it’s about understanding the physics of a temporary power spike that can literally melt your engine if you're reckless.
Nitrous Oxide Systems (NOS) in Gran Turismo 7 aren't a magical "win" button like in an arcade racer. This isn't Need for Speed. If you slap a bottle into a car with a high-revving turbo and don't adjust your strategy, you’ll just spin your tires and lose time.
Buying and Installing the Bottle
Before you can even think about the controls, you have to actually own the hardware. You can’t just find this in the used car dealer. Head over to the Tuning Shop. You’ll find the Nitrous kit under the Professional tab. It costs 100,000 Credits. Yeah, it’s pricey. For some cheaper builds, that bottle costs more than the car itself.
Once you buy it, it’s not automatically "on" in the sense of being ready to fire. You have to go into your Car Settings (the garage menu where you adjust parts). Look for the "Nitrous/Overtake" section. Here, you can adjust the output adjustment. This is a slider that dictates how much gas is released. If you crank it to 100%, you get a massive burst of speed but the bottle empties in seconds. If you set it to 50%, it lasts longer but feels more like a gentle nudge. Most top-tier drag racers keep it high, while endurance racers might want it lower to help with overtakes over multiple laps.
The Controls: How to Use Nitrous in GT7 Without Crashing
By default, the button mapping for nitrous is usually the R3 button (pressing down on the right analog stick). Honestly? That’s a terrible spot for it. Trying to hold down the stick while steering through a 180-mph bend is a recipe for a trip into the barrier.
Go into your options. Change it. Many players map it to the Circle button or one of the paddles if they are using a wheel like the Logitech G923 or a Fanuc DD. You need a button you can hold comfortably without sacrificing your steering precision.
When you trigger it, you’ll see a small gauge next to your fuel and speedo. It’s a green bar. As you hold the button, the bar depletes. Unlike fuel, you can't "refuel" nitrous during a pit stop in most standard races. Once that bottle is empty, it's dead weight for the rest of the sprint. This creates a massive tactical layer. Do you use it at the start to get out of the pack? Or do you save it for the final straight to defend your position?
Thermal Management and Traction Issues
Here is the thing most people get wrong about how to use nitrous in GT7. They think more power is always better. It's not.
When you engage the NOS, your engine torque skyrockets. If you are in a low gear—say second or third—and you hit the juice, your tires will likely just lose grip. You’ll see the TC (Traction Control) light flickering like crazy, and your car will wiggle. You aren't going faster; you’re just turning rubber into smoke.
The pro move is to wait until you are in the higher gears. Once you hit 4th or 5th and the aero starts dragging you down, that’s when the nitrous shines. It helps the car "punch" through the air resistance. Also, keep an eye on your engine temperature if you’re running long sessions. While GT7 doesn't have a "blown engine" mechanic quite as punishing as some hardcore sims, the heat soak is real.
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Why Overtake is Different
You might notice some cars, like the Super Formula open-wheelers or the Honda NSX Concept-GT, have an "Overtake" system instead of Nitrous. It’s essentially the same button, but a completely different mechanic.
- Nitrous: Uses a physical consumable gas. It increases raw horsepower across the curve.
- Overtake (ERS/Push-to-Pass): Uses electrical energy or fuel-flow increases.
- Battery Depletion: In hybrids, the overtake system relies on your battery charge. If you haven't been braking enough to regenerate energy, the button won't do anything.
Tactical Deployment: When to Press the Button
Don't be the person who wastes their bottle in the first thirty seconds of a ten-minute race. Nitrous is a finishing tool.
If you are drafting (slipstreaming) another car, your top speed already increases because of the reduced wind resistance. If you stack nitrous on top of a draft, you can hit speeds the car isn't technically supposed to reach. This is how people set those ridiculous speed records on the Nürburgring straight.
However, there’s a defensive use too. If you see a rival closing in fast in your rearview mirror, a 2-second burst of nitrous can break the "tow." By pulling out of their reach, they lose the aerodynamic advantage of following you, forcing them to fight the wind alone. It’s psychological warfare at 200 mph.
Customizing Your Output
You have to go back to the settings menu to find the "Output Adjustment" slider. It’s tucked away. Most people just buy the part and forget to tune it.
If you’re doing the Le Mans 700pp grind for credits, you might find that a low output (around 20-30%) is perfect for passing the AI on the Mulsanne Straight without burning through your entire supply in one lap. But if you’re doing a 400m drag race at World of Wheels, you want that slider at 100%.
Keep in mind that adding Nitrous increases your Performance Points (PP). If you are right on the edge of a race limit—say 600PP—adding a nitrous kit might push you to 605PP, making you ineligible for the entry. You might have to lower your power restrictor or add weight ballast just to fit the bottle in. It's a trade-off. Is the burst of speed worth a lower base horsepower? Usually, for shorter technical tracks, the answer is no. For high-speed ovals, it's a resounding yes.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Session
To master this, don't just jump into a multiplayer lobby. You’ll embarrass yourself.
- Map your controller immediately: Get the activate button off the R3 stick. Move it to a face button or a secondary paddle.
- Test the "Purge": In GT7, you can sometimes see the visual effect of the nitrous. It’s a nice touch, but focus on the green gauge.
- Practice Short Bursts: Don't hold the button down. Learn to "feather" the nitrous to maintain a top speed rather than trying to infinitely accelerate.
- Check your PP: Ensure your car still fits race regulations after installing the kit in the Professional tab of the Tuning Shop.
- Experiment with Gear Ratios: If you use nitrous, you might hit your rev limiter faster than usual. You may need to "lengthen" your top gear to account for the extra speed, otherwise, you'll just bounce off the limiter and waste the gas.
The difference between a gold medal and a silver often comes down to the last 500 yards of a race. Knowing how to use nitrous in GT7 gives you the edge to snatch that victory. Go to the Tuning Shop, drop the 100k, and start experimenting with your output levels on a long straight like Route X to see exactly how your specific car reacts to the boost.