What do the different buttons and switches on a sim racing wheel do?

At Fanatec, we provide you with a wide range of input options: buttons, encoders, toggle switches, funky switches, and joysticks. Each of these elements plays a crucial role in enhancing your sim racing experience by providing you with the ability to map various functions directly to your steering wheel.

On a Fanatec steering wheel, especially when used with a Windows PC, you have the flexibility to map each of these buttons and switches as you please. This customization allows you to personalize your racing setup to suit your needs and preferences. For instance, one of the most common uses of thumb encoders is to adjust the braking-bias, allowing you to fine-tune your car's handling during a race. This level of control can make a significant difference, especially during long and intense sim racing sessions.

However, depending on the steering wheel you have, the number of available inputs may vary, and not all wheels will have enough buttons or switches to map every possible function. For example, a Rally-Style steering wheel often has fewer buttons, as the needs of a rally car are different from those of a Formula 1 car or a GT race car. Therefore, while a pitlane speed limiter might be crucial for F1 racing, it would be unnecessary on a rally car setup, where more essential functions like wipers or handbrakes come into play.

One particularly useful feature is the 12-way multi-position switch, which is commonly assigned to adjust the boost on hybrid rally cars like the 2022 and 2023 Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1. These switches provide you with additional control, allowing you to adjust settings in real-time during the race without taking your hands off the wheel.

The most straightforward buttons to assign are likely the paddle shifters, as they are universally used to shift gears. However, Fanatec gives you the freedom to reassign these buttons to any function you prefer. Whether you want to assign them for pit stop adjustments, fuel mix changes, or lights, the choice is yours. This flexibility is part of what makes sim racing so immersive—you can tailor your setup to fit your exact needs.

Ultimately, the choice of what to assign to each button depends entirely on your racing style and preferences. The ability to customize and map buttons allows you to simulate every aspect of a real-world racing experience, providing you with a more realistic and comfortable driving experience.