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Home » Guides » Button Box Explained on Sim Racing Wheel
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Are you wondering what all the different buttons and switches on a sim racing steering wheel mean?
Don’t worry – we got you covered!
Note: In this article, we’ll differentiate between a Button Box and a steering wheel.
A Button Box is a versatile piece of sim racing equipment that serves as the core control unit of a steering wheel without the handles. Essentially, it’s like a steering wheel hub designed specifically for customization.
The main concept behind a Button Box is to provide racers with the ability to tailor their setup to their unique preferences. By offering a variety of handle options, users can choose handles that best fit their driving style and comfort. This means that a Button Box can transform into a fully personalized steering wheel, allowing for an optimal racing experience.
In addition to being customizable in terms of handles, Button Boxes typically feature an array of buttons, switches, and dials that enable quick access to essential functions during a race.
Overall, a Button Box is an essential tool for sim racers who seek both flexibility and performance, allowing them to create a steering wheel setup that truly feels like their own.
No, a button box and a steering wheel are not the same, although they can be related in the context of sim racing.
Steering Wheel: A traditional sim racing steering wheel includes the wheel itself, the handles (grips), and a set of integrated buttons, switches, and paddles. It provides the essential functionality for steering and controlling the vehicle in sim racing.
Button Box: A button box, on the other hand, is a control unit that usually does not include the wheel handles. Instead, it features a variety of buttons and switches that can be used to control different functions during a race. Button boxes are often designed to be customizable, allowing users to attach their desired handles, making them more customizable.
Explore all our Button Boxes.
DRS Button
The DRS button on the Formula steering wheel lets the driver change the angle of the rear wing. Not all cars or racing classes have features like this, and the regulations regarding it can vary.
But in practice, the driver presses the DRS button, the wing opens up, and the car’s speed skyrockets making it easier to overtake the car in front.
Differential Switch
The Differential switch controls the amount of power transmitted to each set of wheels. For example, a more open differential will allow different amounts of power and rotation speed on each wheel. A closed or locked differential will force the wheels to always turn at the same rate.
Brake Bias Switch
On the Formula wheel for sim racing, you can also find the Brake Bias, or Brake Balance, switch. This switch gives the driver power over the percentage of brake force delivered to the front and back brakes. It enables you to adjust the brake bias during the race to find the best balance for succeeding.
Overtake Button
The overtake button – or the push to pash button – gives you a temporary engine and hybrid boost in power. The overtake button gives you an advantage when overtaking or defending a position in the race.
Pit Lane Speed
The Pit Lane Speed button accommodates two aspects. Firstly, the button makes it simple for the drivers to maintain the speed limit in the pit area and therefore avoiding a penalty. There are strict racing rules to ensure all drivers maintain the same speed when driving in the pits.
Secondly, the pit lane speed button is also there for safety reasons in real racing. If there weren’t a speed limit in the pit area, it would be too dangerous to be involved in racing.
Paddles
In Formula racing, there are often more than two paddles on the steering wheel. The most common paddles in racing are the middle ones, used for up- and downshifting.
The upper paddles can be used for various shortcuts and can be set for the individual driver. Some common shortcuts are the overtake (push to pass) button or the DRS button. It depends on you and how you’d like to use the paddles on your steering wheel.
The lower paddles can also be used as different shortcuts, but in the real world, it’s used as the clutch. Though in sim racing, it’s up to you how you want to map your paddles on your sim racing wheel.
RPM Indicator Lights
This isn’t a control that you actively use when racing. The RPM indicator shows the revolutions per minute and gives you an indication of when to shift gears. On our sim racing wheels, the RPM indicator is completely customizable to suit your needs or simulate the specific car you want to drive.
Traction Control Switch
The Traction Control switch is a driving aid that controls the engine’s power to the wheels. If you accelerate too quickly or hard in bad conditions, traction control helps you by reducing the engine power to prevent the wheels from spinning.
During the race, you can adjust the traction control to find the right balance that suits the race conditions the best.
ABS Switch
ABS is short for Anti-Lock Braking System and is an additional driving aid system that prevents the wheels from locking when braking hard. During the race, you can increase and decrease the ABS. When ABS is activated, brake pressure is reduced to allow the wheels to regain grip.
Engine Map
The Engine Map can vary depending on the car, but generally, it controls settings like throttle maps and fuel injection. This, in turn, affects both how much power the engine can produce and its overall fuel consumption.
It is important to emphasize that all the above controls are individual choices by the driver. It is up to you to choose and map your preferred control shortcuts when racing.
Another important aspect, which is not mentioned above, is the location of the various controls. On our sim racing wheels, you can decide exactly where the various controls should be placed to suit your needs, and you can mark them on the physical wheel with the sticker sheet provided with both our sim racing wheels.
