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Adjusting the Autopilot Gain Settings

The autopilot gain settings are set during the Autotune procedure. Adjusting these values is not recommended, and you should record the values set by the Autotune procedure before making any changes.

NOTICE

Garmin® advises that you do not adjust the gain value when using a SmartDrive™ actuator. After completing the Autotune procedure, if you are not satisfied by the performance of the autopilot, instead of adjusting the gain settings, you should first try adjusting the response setting (Adjusting the Response Setting).

  1. On a helm control or the autopilot screen on a chartplotter, select Menu icon > Autopilot Setup > Autopilot Installation Setup > Autopilot Tuning > Rudder Gains.
  2. Select Gain and adjust how tightly the rudder holds the heading and makes turns.

    If you set this value too high, the autopilot may be overactive and attempt to constantly adjust the heading at the slightest deviation. An overactive autopilot can drain the battery at a faster-than-normal rate.

  3. Test the autopilot configuration, and repeat step 2 until the autopilot performance is satisfactory.
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September 2026
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