Setting up Steering Degree and FFB properly

This guide will help you configure your force-feedback steering wheel properly. Modern sims like Assetto Corsa do most of this automatically (i.e. vehicle-dependent degrees of rotation), in rFactor however its a pain to set up. Don't worry though, once it is all done and ready, it'll feel awesome.
Welcome to the messy world of rFactor.

Setting up your steering wheel range

In order to use your steering wheels full range, you have to set up your steering degree and lock.

1. Open your steering wheel firmware and set your maximum degrees of rotation.
   In case of Logitech wheels it should be in the "Logitech profiler", go to ''Global Device Settings'' and change your ''Degrees of Rotation''. While your wheel might be capable of 900 degrees or more, in case of rFactor I recommend using 450°
   
   Why 450 instead of 900? Because most cars and mods won't allow for a steering lock higher or even close to 30 degrees, so in order to have a reasonable steering sensitivity, 450 is a good middle ground. More details on steering lock below.
   
   Hint: On Logitech wheels, you can quickly toggle between four different degrees of rotation (conveniently including 450° and 900°) by pressing a button combination. Read about it here[www.gtplanet.net]
   
   
2. In case of Logitech wheels, change your settings to this.
   
   
   
   Spring and Damper effects are ancient features to "pull the wheel back in place", RealFeel as well as any modern game calculate the entire FFB by itself and don't need to do this on a driver level.
   
   
3. Open your ''Controller.ini'' with Notepad, found in either rFactor\UserData\YourName\ or C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\your-path-to-rFactor\UserData\YourName\
   
   
4. Search the document by pressing Ctrl+F and look for ''Steering Wheel Range'', and change its value to the same value you chose above (such as 450) and save the document.
   
   This sets how many degrees the wheel turns visually, so it should always be identical to the "Degrees of Rotation" in your profiler.
   
   
5. When in-game, open the cars setup menu and change ''Steering Lock'' to something around 24 degrees.
   
   This will change how many degrees your front wheels can actually turn, so higher=better, unless it becomes too 'twitchy'/sensitive for you. Don't forget this is bound to your setup, so you'll have to change it every time you go on track.

These values are what I use, but ultimately this is a matter of preference.

Adjusting your input rates and RealFeel for 1:1 input

While rFactors default FFB is okay, to get the most out of your wheel you'll want the RealFeel FFB plugin. It replaces the default artificial FFB with information calculated directly from the simulated steering rack.

By default, rFactors input rates are way off for whatever reason (probably controller compatibility). For example, speed sensitivity makes your steering input less linear depending on how fast you are going. So if you have a wheel, you want to get rid of it.

1. Download the plugin[www.racedepartment.com] and extract it into your rFactor folder.
   
   Consider looking into the RealFeelPlugin.ini if you want to fine-tune some values, such as adjusting post-processing like damping and smoothing.
   
   
2. Open rFactor, open your settings and change the sliders according to this:
   
   
   
   Only the Low setting makes exclusive use of RealFeel outputs.
   
   
   
   While only the first five sliders matter, while your're in here I highly recommend turning off the last three as well as I think these settings distance you from getting a good feel of your cars movement.
   
   
3. For every car you want to drive, buy the RealFeel upgrade in the cars upgrades menu (if possible. most prominent mod cars come with a RealFeel option)

.PLR Adjustments

This doesn't have anything to do with FFB, but I thought I'd mention it as those are critical changes for a better experience overall. These settings add a virtual rear-view mirror to your cockpit (toggle by pressing 3) and turn down the crazy cockpit vibration at high speeds.

1. Open your ''YourName.plr'' with Notepad, found in either rFactor\UserData\YourName\ or C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\your-path-to-rFactor\UserData\YourName\
   
   
2. Search the document by pressing Ctrl+F for the following entries and replace them with these values:
   
   

   Virtual Rearview In Cockpit="1"
   Cockpit Vibration Mult1="0.20000"
   Cockpit Vibration Mult2="0.20000"
   Moving Rearview="0"
   Low Detail UI="0"

Conclusion

Now go on track, and try to find a good FFB strength value that fits your liking. Remember, heavy doesn't necessarily mean good. There's a certain point at which your wheel won't be able to replicate the forces the game puts out. So keep it low enough so you can correct oversteer quickly.

Hopefully this guide covered all there is to know, I tried to elaborate the points well enough so you can understand exactly what they do.
If something is still unclear, let me know by writing a comment. Thanks!

[1948penrod]

wish I had never wasted my money on this so hard tom set up its impossible

[ItsHord]

Is the wheel supposed to be unusable when its centered? Like i am fighting the wheel to keep it in the middle. Which does not seem to be correct at all.

[Damian Vriens]

The plugin isnt on anymore

[Zoisite]

Thank You

[#1]

g29 stopped working overnight and cant fix it at all, any clue ?

[ricang]

Cannot get my Logitec F310 to pair up? in Rfactor

[logroi]

my question is; it is advisable to do this in joystick, not use I do not have a competition wheel
--
How to improve the connection without lag in rFactor by editing .ini files - .PRL other files?
answer please. !

[starfy71]

HELP, PLEASE !!! I have a Thrustmaster F430 Force Feedback Wheel, with updated Thrustmaster/Guillemot drivers, and FF -- DOES NOT WORK AT ALL !!! -- . I play only one mod, in single player, and it is SRM Formula 1 1990. I don't ask for a "perfect" Force Feedback, I ask at least it works, in some way. I simply can't drive those 700 hp beasts with the wheel so light, completely unloaded. Thank you very much for everyone reading and helping .

[m4nu.esp]

Thanks for this tuto but It doesn't work for me either.

[Goblin]

All this has done is to nullify any feeling I had in the wheel except for hitting kerbs. I don't recommend this.