How to connect a steering wheel and pedals to a computer - step-by-step instructions, features and reviews

Computer games capture us so much in their virtual world that it merges with the real one. But this is sometimes not enough. Special devices are required that should completely immerse the gamer in game reality. If you like virtual racing, it’s hard to do without a game steering wheel and pedals. And now the devices are bought. Here before the gamer the following task: how to connect the steering wheel and pedals to the computer, how to configure them? The answer to the question we will provide some effective instructions from experienced gamers. After such recommendations, the process will seem easy and quick.

Choosing the necessary devices

Turning a modern PC into a gaming center today is easy. But how to connect the steering wheel and pedals to the computer? We begin to disassemble the procedure from the very start. Namely, with the acquisition of the necessary equipment.

• In order not to then puzzle over connecting too “abstruse” devices, before choosing a specific model, be sure to read the independent opinions on it on the forums. If a large number of users note that they had problems connecting the device, then this is enough to change their choice to a similar one in terms of characteristics.
• How to connect a steering wheel and pedals to a computer? Your PC must have ports to which you can connect the purchase. The most commonly used universal USB. If the variety of the port is different, then you should buy a suitable adapter along with the gaming equipment. If a webcam, mouse, printer and other devices are connected to the computer via USB, then you need to buy a USB hub (splitter in other words). This will increase the number of free ports to make you comfortable playing.
• And another important condition is the operating system, the characteristics of your computer must support the acquired game attributes.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Self-made steering

So, do the steering wheel and pedals to the computer. The scheme and description will be presented later. Let's step through the algorithm:

1. The steering wheel can be cut out of wood, glued from several plywood plates. First of all, you need to use a ruler and compass to execute a detailed drawing of it on paper.
2. Next, a hub is made of hardwood , which is attached to the rear of the steering wheel using screws or furniture glue.
3. A hole is cut through the steering shaft. A bolt with a cut off head is inserted there. Its ends are filed off. Holes are drilled in the resulting sites. In these places, springs are installed.
4. To fix the nuts, the steering shaft also grinds on both sides.
5. The bolt is twisted into the drilled hole on the axis. On both sides it is tightened with nuts. The second side of the spring is attached to the L-shaped bracket.
6. Another important step is to complete the table mount system. Bend the U-shaped bracket from the metal plate. It makes 4 holes for self-tapping screws.
7. The next step is the manufacture of the presser foot. In the middle, a hole for a 5 mm bolt is drilled in it.
8. Self-tapping screws connect the foot to the bracket so that it can move freely.
9. There should be a distance from the base of the module to the foot equal to the thickness of the table.
10. Then the master drills a hole through the base of the steering module. A T-shaped threaded sleeve is inserted here.
11. The self-tapping P-bracket is screwed onto the wooden base of the module.
12. A bolt with a rotary handle is passed into the hole of the foot, after which it is screwed into the T-sleeve.

Then you need to take care of the electronic "stuffing".

This is how we do the pedals and steering wheel to the computer. Another homemade option in the video below.

DIY pedals

You can build a wheel and pedals with your own hands for the gamer himself. These attributes will help you immerse yourself in sports and transport simulators, virtual races. The devices fully represent the atmosphere of the race track. They, of course, really get in many electronics stores. But with some knowledge in the field of mechanics and electronics, it is possible to design a wheel and pedals for a computer with your own hands.

We will present the instruction:

1. How to make a working module with pedals? First of all, take care of the base cover. To do this, take a piece of plywood 12 mm thick. Outline, cut and assemble a comfortable stand with a foot drift.
2. Carefully look at the cross bar of such a casing - it is installed from the inside, closer to the sharp front edge of the bevel. Made of hard wood, as the element must maintain the tension of the return spring.
3. The pedal is mounted using a steel tube (average wall thickness - 12 mm). The pedal to the tube is bolted.
4. A rod with a diameter of about 5 mm is installed in the lower part of the tube. It should hold the pedal in the brackets. The latter are made of durable metal corners. Then the brackets are screwed to the casing.
5. And again, back to the cross bar. When making it, measure and cut the element so that it most closely matches the width of the casing of the pedal module. And another important point. The strip must be firmly glued (or screwed - as you wish) to the base and walls of the casing.
6. We go further. A hole is drilled in the cross member. Insert, screw into it a screw having a metal "eye". Lock the element on the back with a nut.
7. A return spring is attached at one end to the screw eye. The second end of the spring leads to a metal tube (the one to which the pedal is attached).
8. The next step is the installation of a potentiometer for pedals in the rear half of the housing. Best of all, on an L-shaped bracket, attaching it on the bushings to the pedal drive so that the potentiometer rotates at a right angle in both directions.
9. And now electronics - the technical part is completed. It remains to install and connect the gearbox, and then connect the entire structure to the computer.
   
   
   
   
   
   

Connecting the steering wheel and pedals: instruction number 1

We now proceed directly to the process. Provide instructions on how to configure the game wheel. Connection is carried out according to the scheme:

1. Unpack the packaging with the game wheel. The USB cable should be removed from the device. Plug it into a convenient USB port on your computer.
2. If the pedals are included, then connect these attributes to the steering wheel.
3. Plug the power supply of the gaming device into a power outlet. So we figured out how to connect the steering wheel to a computer. How to setup?
4. Log in to any game on your PC that supports game steering. Scroll to the settings menu.
5. You need to stop at the "Management Settings" section (or a similar name).
6. The mouse and keyboard settings may be listed. We do not need them. You go to the section with the name "Alternative Management" (or with a similar name).
7. Here you can set the necessary parameters for each of the steering wheel buttons: stop at the standard version or set your own values ​​that are convenient for you.
8. In conclusion, it remains only to save the settings made, to check the operability of the connected attributes already in the process.

How to connect the steering wheel to any game, you now know. However, sometimes the PC does not “see” the connected device. What's the matter? There are two common reasons:

• The computer did not detect the device.
• For the steering wheel to work, you must install the driver that comes with it in the kit.

You can find the last problem already when making control settings: when you try to change the purpose of the keys, the attribute buttons do not respond, they are not active. The driver usually comes on the disk that came with the device. Install it, then enter the game and repeat all the steps, starting from the 4th paragraph of the instructions, again.

The second option to connect the steering wheel and pedals: instructions

And we analyze the second instruction on how to connect the game wheel and pedals to the computer. By the way, a steering wheel for “marine” games can also be connected using a similar algorithm. The problem in both cases most often arises the same: the lack of software in the PC operating system that is responsible for the performance of game attributes.

How to connect a steering wheel for games with pedals:

1. The most important thing is to go through the exact step-by-step connection. This path, as a rule, is prompted by the instruction that you will find complete with the game wheel and pedals. Gaming devices are connected through it, after which drivers for attributes from the disk are installed.
2. If the driver is not included in the purchase package, then you can refer to a special utility that contains the Windows OS.
3. Go to "Start", then to "Control Panel". You need the "Gaming Devices" section.
4. When you open this window, you will see a complete list of gaming equipment connected to the PC.
5. If the components are being installed for the first time, then click on "Add".
6. The corresponding "Add a new gaming device" window will open. Here you need to choose the right type of equipment to be installed. For all types of steering wheels with pedals for the computer, check the corresponding values ​​- “Steering wheel”, “Pedals”.
7. If the connected gaming device is different, then you need to go to the "Other" tab. There you will find a joystick, control handle, steering wheel, gaming tablet.
8. Be sure to note the number of directions in which the device will move - 2 or 4.
9. Next, indicate the number of buttons on the body of the gaming equipment.
10. You can also configure the switching of view types: rear, from the cockpit, front. To do this, check the box "There is a POV switch."
11. Last - enter the name of the device in the "Controller" field.
12. Next click on OK - you will return to the start window "Game devices".
    
    
    
    
    
    

We connect the steering wheel and pedals: instruction number 3

We continue to analyze ways to connect the game wheel. We present to the reader the following instructions:

1. Note that the most advanced models, as well as the latest versions of games, allow you to notify the virtual driver of wheels getting into the dirt, tire wear (of course, in the game). The device "reports" this characteristic vibration in the columns. But such a useful option you need to enable yourself in the game settings.
2. Can I install a steering wheel on a laptop? Yes, if both devices can be interconnected via USB. If your laptop supports version 3.0 of the universal bus, then this will significantly increase the speed of access to the connected device than using standard 2.0.
3. If the steering wheel is equipped with a different connector, a special adapter is required to connect it to a computer or laptop.
4. Laptops have a limited number of USB ports. Therefore, before connecting the gaming equipment, you should think about purchasing a special splitter - a USB hub.
5. How to adjust the steering wheel with pedals in computer games? In order for the game devices to be detected by the PC, they could function correctly, after connecting, install special drivers on the computer.
6. Not all laptops and system units have saved drives. And if the driver goes to disk? We offer an alternative option: go to the official website of the manufacturer of the gaming equipment, find the drivers for your device there, download and install them.
7. Remember: first you need to connect the steering wheel, and then start the game. Only so, and not vice versa. You can detect and configure the device in the video game control settings.
8. In the settings, specify the connected gamepad as an alternative to the keyboard. Assign functions to each of its buttons. For "clutch" usually indicate any of the unused keys.
   
   
   
   
   
   

The process of connecting the steering wheel and pedals: instruction number 4

One more instruction how to connect a game wheel with pedals. We give this algorithm:

1. We recommend staying on the purchase of gaming equipment with a USB port. In this case, you will not need to purchase a separate adapter to connect to the device.
2. Next, pay attention to the instructions: somewhere the pedals are connected to the steering wheel, and then the steering wheel to the computer. Somewhere else. The steering wheel is connected to the computer, and then pedals are connected to it (steering wheel).
3. The easiest way to connect and configure sometimes ends at this step. After 20-30 seconds after the connection, a window appears on the PC screen: "The device is installed, ready to work." You can play.
4. But most often the words “Device not recognized”, “Device not ready” come out. How to connect the game steering wheel and pedals in this case? You must install the driver.
5. The driver is installed either from the disk that comes with the kit, or from the official website of the equipment manufacturer (you need to download the installation file for your steering wheel model, pedals).
6. After the driver is installed, restart the computer or laptop.
7. You can try the performance of the gaming system in a racing game. Be sure to go into the control settings to set the functions of the buttons for you.
8. How to install the steering wheel on a computer, we examined. Now we’ll show you how to check its performance if there are no racing games on your PC yet.
9. Go to the "Control Panel", move to the "Sound and Equipment".
10. Next, select "View connected devices and printers." In the list, among other things, you will see the steering wheel.
11. If you did not find it, then click on the "Add" button.
12. The system will automatically search for new connected devices. Your steering wheel will appear in the list of search results. Click "Next."
13. If you installed the driver on a PC, the system will automatically find it and install it for this device. Connection completed.
    
    
    
    
    
    

Gamepad connection

We examined how to connect the steering wheel and pedals to the computer. But if you decide to play on the popular XBox? It comes with a wireless game controller (gamepad, in other words). How to connect it to a game console?

We advise you to follow this instruction:

1. Press the Guide button on the controller itself. You need to hold the key until both the controller and the game console are activated.
2. Now press the power button on the console itself once. But now in 20 seconds you need to have time to press and release the power key already on the controller.
3. Now you need to wait until the indicator lights near the power button on the console stop flashing. This will mean that the gamepad has successfully connected to the device.
4. If this does not happen, check the batteries in the controller. If AA elements are unsuitable, replace them with new identical ones.
5. Please note that special devices are also supplied to power the gamepad: Xbox 360 Play & Charge Kit or Xbox 360 Quick Charge Kit.
6. The game console is designed not only for solo, but also for team play. Therefore, up to four gamepads can be connected simultaneously to the device. Each of the controllers is connected as described above. Connect devices one at a time.
7. Be careful: each of the gamepads on the console panel will be assigned a specific quadrant near the power button. How to define it? The indicator will light when the gamepad is connected to the console.

We know how to connect the Logitech steering wheel and pedals to a computer, a gamepad to a game console. And now another important instruction - how to disable the controller:

1. Hold the Guide button on the controller for about three seconds.
2. Then turn off the gamepad itself. The last one to turn off the console.
3. Such deactivation is convenient because the next time you turn it on, the controller will automatically connect to the game console.

One gamepad can only be connected to one console! To use it for another, the first one needs to interrupt the connection.

There are frequent cases when a gamer cannot connect the controller to the console. Experts advise to fix the problem this way: replace the batteries in the gamepad, as well as remove all foreign objects between the controller and the console, which can interfere with establishing a connection. Pay particular attention to the following:

• TV sets
• smartphones and cordless home phones;
• microwaves;
• chrome and metal racks, chairs, tables, coasters and so on.

Connecting pedals separately from the steering wheel

Many users are interested in how to connect pedals to a computer without a steering wheel. Disappoint readers: this is impossible. Someone is engaged in amateur performances, by soldering, connecting the pedals to an independent controller. But this is a vain job: the pedals will remain unconnected to each other.

There is only one way out (as users suggest in their reviews): you can purchase "aviation" pedals (especially for flight simulators) that are able to function independently.

Steering Calibration: Option No. 1

Connecting and installing the steering wheel with pedals to a computer is only half the battle. It is important to configure it for the game. More precisely, calibrate. This opportunity is provided by the developers of many races in the menu of their game. As a rule, look for calibration in the settings.

If the authors of your favorite race did not take care of such an important point, then you can try to cope with the task yourself - through the "Command Line":

1. Go to "Start", then "Accessories". Click on "Run."
2. Type and run the following: joy.cpl.
3. Select the required device and call the context menu.
4. Go to "Properties".
5. At this point, you can make "fine" settings for the gaming device.
   
   
   
   
   
   

Steering calibration: option number 2

Here is one more option for calibrating the game steering wheel for the reader.

1. Click on "Start."
2. Go to the "Control Panel".
3. Then the section "Equipment and Sound".
4. Here you need an item with gaming devices.
5. Select a steering wheel from the list. Call the context menu, go to "Properties".
6. The "Settings" menu opens. Here you will need the item “Calibrate device”.
7. Customized steering wheel for yourself? Now you can go to the vast sea of ​​games!

User reviews

After analyzing the reviews of the happy owners of game attributes, we can come to an unambiguous conclusion: the installation of equipment in most cases does not cause difficulties. Not only adults, but also children cope with it. It is only important to follow the instructions given and install the appropriate driver. And, of course, dwell on proven models, which collected a lot of positive reviews.

So we figured out how to connect and configure the game steering wheel and pedals. You now know that this is a simple procedure: connecting devices, installing drivers, making settings in the game menu, adding an attribute to the gaming equipment, calibrating the device.