Help center
ETS2 Smoke System questions
Direct answers for installation, compatibility, customization and troubleshooting.
Does the Smoke System work with Euro Truck Simulator 2 1.59 and newer?+
Yes. Smoke System by MODGuardian supports Euro Truck Simulator 2 1.59+. Compatibility is tested on Windows with the 64-bit game executable.
What do I need to install the ETS2 realistic smoke mod?+
Install PM_389_Smoke.zip in the ETS2 mod folder and install the free MODGuard.dll plugin in the game's win_x64 plugins folder. The automatic installer is available as an alternative.
What is the difference between Realistic and Classic mode?+
Realistic mode, the default, reads engine load and turbo pressure from the game and smokes only when injected fuel finds no air to burn: a puff after each shift, sustained smoke when lugging uphill, and a clean pipe while cruising or engine braking. Classic mode is the earlier pedal-driven curve. Press Ctrl + Alt + T to switch for the current session; the HUD confirms the active model.
Can I change the smoke color and intensity?+
Yes. The optional SmokeSystem.zip color editor lets players and modders customize smoke colors. Intensity is controlled in the [control] block of plugins/moddir.txt: smoke_real_gain_pct scales the Realistic model and smoke_throttle_threshold sets the minimum pedal before your truck smokes.
Can I add the smoke effect to a custom truck mod?+
Yes. Add the particle.smoke_new locator in Blender and configure the particle effect for the truck. Any vehicle carrying the locator is detected at runtime, including traffic vehicles. If your locator uses another name, list it under target_unit_fragment in plugins/moddir.txt.
Do AI traffic trucks smoke?+
Yes, on the traffic vehicles that carry the smoke locator. PM 389 Smoke includes a small selection of them, so only some of the trucks you meet will smoke; Steam Workshop traffic mods that include the locator extend the coverage. Traffic smoke follows each truck's real speed, acceleration and gear, cuts at every shift, and stops when braking, stopped or above highway speed. Set traffic_smoke_suppress=1 to turn it off.
Does it work in Convoy multiplayer?+
Yes. In an SCS Convoy session the trucks of the other players smoke according to their RPM, throttle and engine brake. Every player in the session must run the latest MODGuard.dll and PM 389 Smoke. When a partner drives out of range, their smoke stops instead of freezing at the last value.
What changed in the smoke physics?+
The smoke is now left behind on the road and pushed along the real direction of each exhaust outlet, left or right, vertical or rear-facing, and the push fades over the particle's lifetime. Faster driving spawns denser, shorter-lived particles, Realistic puffs spawn at a higher rate than the stock effect, and a visibility threshold removes faint wisps. The plugin never raises the game's particle limits.
Does the plugin connect to the internet?+
Once at startup it downloads a small list of known conflicting plugins from modguard.com.br, with a 5 second timeout and no user data beyond the request itself. If another plugin already controls a game function the Smoke System needs, the plugin stays inactive and writes a notice to game.log. Set conflict_list_url= (empty) in the [control] block to disable the check.
Are the downloads free and safe to verify?+
The Smoke System, plugin, installer and editor are free. Download only from public.modguard.com.br. The Windows executables and plugin are digitally signed with an EV code-signing certificate; open file Properties, then Digital Signatures, to verify the publisher before running them.
Where can I get installation help?+
Follow the installation steps on this page or use the ETS2 Steam guide. For individual help, join the official MODGuardian Discord.
