What Can I Use the Buttons on My Sim Racing Steering Wheel for?

As technology has advanced, the role of the driver has evolved alongside it, mirroring changes to their most important and well-known tool: the steering wheel.

Take, for example, the F1 steering wheel. As detailed in our previous article on the evolution of F1 wheels, the design has transitioned from a simple 400mm circular wheel to today's mini-computer, capable of managing numerous vehicle parameters and allowing drivers to make real-time adjustments. These range from "simple" traction control to more complex differential settings.

The Golden Rule: Ergonomics

The primary rule is to follow the ergonomics of your hand: The most essential controls must be easily accessible.

Key functions to map:

• Pit limiter
• Increase/decrease Traction Control (TC): If the car supports both TC slip and TC gain, map them to two closely located buttons or encoders.
• Increase/decrease ABS
• Adjust brake bias forward/backward
• Flash headlights
• Wipers
• Engine maps: To manage fuel consumption.
• Pit stop window: For tire changes and refueling.
• Simulator black box navigation
• Relative display toggle
• Timing bar toggle

Note: TC gain/slip, ABS, and brake bias can also be assigned to encoders.

Key functions to map:

• Pit limiter
• Increase/decrease Traction Control (TC): both TC slip and TC gain, map them to two closely located buttons or encoders.
• Increase/decrease ABS
• Adjust brake bias forward/backward
• Brake migration: Useful for managing engine braking during deceleration.
• Hybrid system management
• Anti-roll bar adjustment
• Flash headlights
• Wipers
• Engine maps: To manage fuel consumption.
• Pit stop window: For tire changes and refueling.
• Simulator black box navigation
• Relative display toggle
• Timing bar toggle

Note: TC gain/slip, ABS, brake bias, brake migration, and hybrid battery management can also be assigned to encoders.

Key functions to map:

• Pit limiter
• DRS
• Increase/decrease Traction Control (TC slip and TC gain)
• Increase/decrease ABS
• Adjust brake bias forward/backward
• Brake migration: Useful for managing engine braking during deceleration.
• Hybrid system management
• Anti-roll bar adjustment
• Electronic differential management
• Engine maps: To manage fuel consumption.
• Pit stop window: For tire changes and refueling.
• Simulator black box navigation
• Relative display toggle
• Timing bar toggle
• Tear-off toggle

Note: TC gain/slip, ABS, brake bias, brake migration, and differential settings can also be assigned to encoders.

If you race with a single monitor, we suggest mapping two buttons (one in the top-right and one in the top-left) for “Look Right” and “Look Left.” These are incredibly useful in close battles on track.

Fanatec offers a wide range of steering wheels. We recommend choosing your wheel based on the number of buttons required to manage your car's functions efficiently.