Realistic Air Resistance and Fuel Consumption (ATS) for American Truck Simulator
Restores realistic air resistance to ATS after 1.58 broke it: going over 75 mph costs more effort and diesel. Free on Steam Workshop, for 1.60 and 1.61.
Download Realistic Air Resistance and Fuel Consumption (ATS)
More screenshots on Steam Workshop ↗
What this mod does
Realistic Air Resistance and Fuel Consumption is a physics mod by darkestdragon24 for American Truck Simulator. According to the author, the 1.58 update broke the air resistance parameter. This mod makes it realistic again and aims to make fuel consumption closer to a real truck’s.
What it changes
- Accelerating above 75 mph takes more effort, especially with a load.
- The effect is more noticeable at high speed: between 65 and 80 mph the difference in consumption is clear.
- You have to choose between arriving sooner or burning less diesel.
Version
The mod’s title lists compatibility with 1.61 and 1.60 or later. The file was released on August 25, 2026 and hasn’t changed since. Right now it’s tuned mainly for high speeds, and the author is asking for feedback on how it behaves at other speeds and loads.
Load order
The author explains in the comments that it should go above other physics mods. It can go below economy mods, because it edits different parameters.
If it doesn’t work
Open the console, type g_force_economy_reset 1, go back to the main menu and load your profile again. The mod is part of the author’s «Parts of Real Life Economy for ATS» collection.
Holyfix Check
Will it work with your mods?
Load your game.log.txt and check whether this mod is for your ATS version, whether you're missing a mod or DLC it needs and where to place it.
It's in Documents › American Truck Simulator › game.log.txt. It's read in your browser: the file is never uploaded.
Something else failing? Holyfix for ATS checks all your mods at once.
User rating
Our rating
0.0 / 5- Fixes the air resistance that, according to the author, 1.58 broke
- Makes speed come at a real cost in diesel
- Under 30 KB in size
- It's tuned mainly for high speeds; the author is still asking for feedback
- The file is from August 25, 2026: 1.61 support is stated in the mod's title
- Use the Workshop link: the external copy the author mentions is on a generic download site
Requirements
- American Truck Simulator 1.60 or 1.61
- Steam account to subscribe on the Workshop
- No DLC or other mods required
How to install it
- Open the mod's page on Steam Workshop and click "Subscribe".
- Launch American Truck Simulator and wait for Steam to download the mod.
- In the Mod Manager, enable it and place it above other physics mods.
- Load your profile and drive loaded at over 65 mph to notice the difference in consumption.
- If you don't notice any change, open the console, type g_force_economy_reset 1, exit to the main menu and load your profile again.
Version history
-
25 Aug 2026Current
Released on Steam Workshop (1 changelog entry)
Common problems
Where does it go in the load order?
Above other physics mods. It can go below economy mods.
I don't notice any change
Use g_force_economy_reset 1 in the console, go back to the main menu and load your profile again.
At what speed is it most noticeable?
From 65 mph; above 75 mph the truck accelerates worse, especially when loaded.
More mods for ATS
✓ ATS 1.61 
✓ ATS 1.61Requires DLC 
✓ ATS 1.61Multiplayer 
ATS 1.57 
ATS 1.58 
✓ ATS 1.61Requires DLC