controller-test.com · Racing

Steering Wheel Tester

Test racing wheels, pedals and shifters. Visualize wheel rotation, pedal linearity and diagnose potentiometer issues in-browser.

Racing wheel and pedals

Waiting

Wheel rotation

0°

Throttle

Brake

Clutch

Overview

What the Steering Wheel Tester does

Racing wheels expose their steering angle, throttle, brake and clutch as standard gamepad axes. This tester shows live wheel rotation in degrees and per-pedal travel so you can spot a dead-zone, sticky pedal, or a wheel that no longer centers to zero.

Steps

How to run the test

Plug the wheel base into USB and wait for the OS to install drivers.
Open the tester and press any button on the wheel or a pedal to wake the API.
Rotate the wheel lock to lock and press each pedal to full travel.
Look for smooth 0 to 100 percent linearity per pedal and symmetric rotation to the left and right of center.
Test the shifter through every gear and reverse.

How the browser reads a racing wheel

Every wheel base surfaces the steering angle as a single axis between -1 and 1, and each pedal as a separate axis between 0 (fully released) and 1 (fully pressed). This tester turns those numbers into a live wheel diagram and vertical pedal bars so you can see what your rig is telling the browser at any moment. It also displays the rotation range detected by the base, in degrees.

Diagnosing a wheel that does not center

Center the wheel by hand and let go. The axis value should sit within 0.01 of zero. If it drifts a few percent off center, run the calibration in your vendor software (Logitech G HUB, Fanatec Fanalab, Thrustmaster Control Panel). If it still drifts after calibration, the internal Hall sensor or magnet has slipped and needs service. If your wheel is a belt-drive or direct-drive model, contact the vendor before opening the shell.

How to spot a bad pedal fast

Watch the pedal bar as you press slowly. It should sweep smoothly from 0 to 100 with no jitter or steps. A stuck floor means the potentiometer is dead below a threshold. A stuck ceiling means it is dead above one. A jitter at any point means dirty pot contacts, which compressed air often fixes. Load-cell brake pedals report force rather than travel, so the bar behavior differs slightly but you still want smooth linearity.

Rotation range and why 900 degrees matters

Sim racing games map real-world steering angle to virtual wheel angle. If your wheel is set to 270 degrees but the car in-game has 900 degrees of lock, you have to turn the wheel much less than the on-screen car to reach the same angle, which feels wrong. Set the wheel rotation to match the car (usually 540 to 900 degrees for road cars, 270 to 360 for open-wheel), and this tester will show the new range immediately.

Related tests to run for your full rig

If your rig has button box add-ons or paddle shifters, run the Joystick Tester or Button Mapping Test to verify every button fires a unique index. If your seat has haptics, our Vibration Test can drive the browser vibrationActuator. For lap-critical latency numbers, run the Latency Test wired and see your reaction plus system total.

Fix it

Common problems and quick fixes

Wheel drifts off center after each lap

Recalibrate in vendor software. If it persists, internal sensor needs service.

Brake pedal jumps in steps

Dirty potentiometer. Compressed air around the pedal base first. Replace the pot if it persists.

Rotation range is capped at 270 degrees

Increase soft-lock in vendor software to 540 or 900 degrees.

Wheel disconnects mid-corner

USB power draw is too high on a shared hub. Plug into a powered hub or directly into the PC.

FAQ

Common questions

Does the tester support force feedback?+

The browser Gamepad API can play a basic dual-rumble effect but does not control high-end wheel FFB torque curves. Use the vendor tool for FFB tuning.

Why does my wheel only show 270 degrees?+

Many wheels default to a 270 to 360 degree soft-lock. Increase the rotation range in the vendor software (Logitech G HUB, Fanatec Control Panel, Thrustmaster Control Panel) to unlock full range.

Handbrake and shifter add-ons?+

Any USB-connected accessory that presents as a gamepad axis or button will show up here.

Center the wheel, press each pedal to full, and confirm smooth linear travel. Ten seconds now saves a race-costing spin.

Every diagnostic here runs locally in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.

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Pair this test with any of the below for a full controller health check.

HOTAS