What is steering load in sim racing?

The steering feel varies from car to car. For racing cars in particular, factors that impact the “heaviness” of the steering include the tire width, tire sidewall height, road surface, and, of course, the presence or absence of power steering.

In sim racing, the element that simulates the tire’s contact with the ground is the wheelbase, through a system called Force Feedback (if you haven't read it yet, I refer you to this article where it is explained in detail: What is Force Feedback in Sim Racing?). This brings us to the definition of "steering load," which is the physical resistance transmitted from the wheelbase to the steering wheel while driving.

Let’s debunk a myth: in sim racing, it’s not necessary to have a very high steering load to drive fast—quite the opposite! Often, the reverse is true. Many pro sim drivers use relatively low steering loads to enable faster steering movements. The "excess" force feedback is utilized to avoid clipping, which is the saturation of the Force Feedback.

On the other hand, when it comes to pure simulation (aimed at accurately reproducing the real driving experience of a particular vehicle), the steering load should ideally be adjusted for each car. However, many modern simulators already have this functionality integrated into their algorithms.

Steering load also depends on the size of the steering wheel: a formula wheel has a diameter of about 275mm and is designed to handle fast-reacting cars in the best possible way. The smaller diameter allows for quick steering movements, matching the car's nature and enabling the driver to become one with it. Given the same Nm (Newton-meter, the unit of force), a steering wheel of this size will produce a greater sensation of steering load.

A Rally or GT steering wheel (typically with a diameter between 300 and 320mm) is designed to manage heavier cars with slower response times and reactions compared to formula cars. In this case, driving precision is more important than the speed of movement (in addition to the fact that the forces at play are different from those in formula cars, due to the weight and technical characteristics of the vehicles). This means that, with the same Nm, the steering load perceived by the driver will be lower. Here you can find a guide regarding How to choose the best GT Sim Racing Steering Wheel.

The previous concept is further exaggerated for NASCAR vehicles, where the steering wheel diameter is around 350mm. In this case as well, with the same Nm, the steering load perceived will be even lower compared to GT cars!

If you need further information regarding the perfect steering wheel for you, our experts are ready to help! Just follow this link for Product Consultation.

In conclusion, to be fast in the simulator, it’s not necessary to have an excessively high steering load. What’s important is receiving all the possible information from the wheel base, and ensuring that it is clear and interpretable! Now, let’s move on to the ideal settings for your wheelbase! I remind you that you can find them on our forum 😉