The WheelMates customization 100% milestone isn't just about making your RC car look pretty—it's the definitive endgame loop that Firevolt Studio designed to reward thorough exploration of Professor Everett Bloom's mysteriously empty home laboratory. With the release date moved up to September 1, 2026 on Steam (originally September 7), players are already planning their routes through the cluttered shelves, dusty workbenches, and oversized furniture that define this 2-player co-op RC car driving adventure. Every wheel, antenna, horn, and base color you unlock is tied to specific collectibles scattered across the lab, and reaching that coveted 100% completion bar requires a systematic approach that goes far beyond simply finishing the main story.
The Customization System Explained
Firevolt Studio has built the WheelMates complete customization collection around a deceptively simple premise: your RC car is a blank canvas, but the paints and parts are hidden behind the game's core mechanics. Unlike traditional racing games where you earn currency, WheelMates ties every cosmetic item to SD Cards, Memory Cards (which contain audio logs from Professor Bloom), Scannable Objects, and Journal entries. Each collectible category feeds into a different part of your customization garage.
The custom car builder in WheelMates operates on a modular system. You start with a base chassis that has a fixed body shape, but everything else is swappable. The wheelmates wheels category includes 12 distinct tire designs, ranging from off-road knobby tires to smooth indoor slicks. The wheelmates antenna collection features 8 options, including a classic spiral antenna, a flag-style pennant, and even a tiny lightning rod. For wheelmates horn sounds, you'll find 10 unique audio cues, from a bicycle bell to a full air-horn blast that echoes through the lab's hallways.
| Customization Category | Total Items | Unlock Method | Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Colors | 15 | SD Cards + Journal entries | Common to Epic |
| Wheels | 12 | Memory Cards + Scannable Objects | Common to Legendary |
| Antennas | 8 | Memory Cards only | Rare to Epic |
| Horns | 10 | SD Cards + Scannable Objects | Common to Legendary |
The customization 100% tracker in the pause menu shows your progress across all four categories, but it also tracks a hidden fifth metric: paint finish quality. Each base color has a matte, gloss, and metallic variant that unlocks separately, effectively tripling the paint options. This means the true WheelMates customization 100% grind requires you to find every collectible type, not just the cosmetic parts themselves.
How to Unlock Every WheelMates Custom Part
The WheelMates customization system rewards players who engage with all three gadgets: the Rope-Swing, Magnetic Wheels, and Magnet Grab. Each gadget opens up different areas of Professor Bloom's lab, and each area contains specific collectible types. The Rope-Swing lets you launch your RC car across gaps using ceiling-mounted hooks, while Magnetic Wheels allow you to drive up metal surfaces like the refrigerator and filing cabinets. The Magnet Grab is your primary tool for pulling Scannable Objects out of tight spaces.
Wheel Parts Locations
The wheelmates wheels collection is split between the main floor and the upper shelves. You'll find the Off-Road Chunkies in the basement workshop, tucked behind a stack of boxes that requires the Magnetic Wheels to climb. The Speed Slicks are in the kitchen, hidden inside a cereal box that you must knock over using the Rope-Swing. The Retro Radials are the most elusive—they're in the attic, accessible only after you've collected enough Memory Cards to unlock the attic door code.
| Wheel Name | Location | Required Gadget | Collectible Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Off-Road Chunkies | Basement Workshop | Magnetic Wheels | SD Card #7 |
| Speed Slicks | Kitchen Cereal Box | Rope-Swing | Memory Card #3 |
| Retro Radials | Attic Vault | Magnet Grab | Memory Card #11 |
| Drift Kings | Garage Floor | None | Scannable Object #5 |
| Monster Claws | Backyard Shed | Magnetic Wheels | Journal Entry #2 |
Antenna and Horn Collection
The wheelmates antenna options are all tied to Memory Cards, which serve as Professor Bloom's audio logs. Each log reveals a fragment of the story about what happened in the lab, and finding all 8 antennas requires you to listen to every log in sequence. The Classic Spiral is your starting antenna, but the Flag Pennant unlocks after finding Memory Card #4 in the greenhouse. The Lightning Rod antenna is the final reward for collecting all Memory Cards, making it a true completionist prize.
For wheelmates horn sounds, you'll need a mix of SD Cards and Scannable Objects. The Bicycle Bell is found early in the living room, while the Air Horn requires you to scan 10 objects in the garage. The Train Whistle horn is the rarest—it's hidden behind a secret wall in the study that only opens when you've activated all three gadgets in a specific sequence.
The Complete Customization Collection Checklist
To achieve WheelMates customization 100%, you need to track every item across all four categories. The game's in-game tracker helps, but it doesn't show you where missing items are located. This WheelMates complete customization collection checklist consolidates everything you need to know.
Base Colors and Finishes
The 15 base colors each have three finishes, giving you 45 paint options total. The matte finishes are found in SD Cards scattered through the main living areas. Gloss finishes come from Scannable Objects in the workshop and garage. Metallic finishes are the rarest—they're tied to Journal entries that require you to solve environmental puzzles using the Rope-Swing and Magnet Grab in combination.
| Color Name | Matte Location | Gloss Location | Metallic Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimson Red | Living Room TV Stand | Workshop Toolbox | Study Bookshelf |
| Electric Blue | Kitchen Counter | Garage Workbench | Attic Vault |
| Neon Green | Bathroom Cabinet | Basement Shelf | Greenhouse Rack |
| Sunset Orange | Bedroom Nightstand | Hallway Closet | Secret Wall Room |
| Midnight Black | Office Desk | Laundry Room | Rooftop Access |
Progress Tracking Strategy
The customization 100% tracker updates in real-time, but it only shows percentages, not individual item names. To avoid backtracking, use the Memory Card audio logs as your primary navigation tool—each log contains a hint about a nearby collectible. The SD Cards are more straightforward; they're often in plain sight but require creative gadget use to reach. Scannable Objects are the trickiest because they blend into the environment, so use the Magnet Grab to scan every surface you pass.
Known Issues Affecting Customization Collection
Firevolt Studio has acknowledged several known issues that can impact your WheelMates customization 100% run. The camera handling in tight spaces like the attic and basement can make it difficult to spot collectibles, especially when driving on the ceiling with Magnetic Wheels. Some players have reported fatal error crashes when switching between gadgets rapidly, which can cause you to lose unsaved progress. The key rebinding system is currently limited to keyboard controls, so controller players may need to stick with the default layout until a patch arrives.
The demo, which was pulled on August 8, 2026, revealed that the Friend's Pass system works flawlessly for online co-op, but split-screen has occasional frame rate drops when both players are in the same room with many Scannable Objects. The Remote Play Together option is the most stable for long sessions, according to community testing on the WheelMates Discord which has 3,327+ members actively sharing tips.
Multiplayer Customization Sharing
One of the most exciting features of WheelMates customization is that both players share the same collection pool. Whether you're playing split-screen, online co-op, or using Remote Play Together, every collectible you find counts toward the shared customization 100% progress. The Friend's Pass system allows a friend to join your game for free, and any items they collect while playing with you are saved to your account. This makes multiplayer the fastest way to complete the collection, as you can split up and cover more ground simultaneously.
However, there's a catch: some collectibles are player-specific. The Journal entries are tied to whichever player picks them up, but the SD Cards and Memory Cards are shared. This means you'll need to coordinate with your partner to ensure you're both collecting different Journal entries to maximize efficiency. The Scannable Objects are also shared, but scanning them requires the Magnet Grab gadget, which both players have access to from the start.
Advanced Customization Tips
For players aiming for WheelMates customization 100% on their first playthrough, prioritize the Memory Cards first. These audio logs not only unlock antennas but also provide narrative context that helps you locate other collectibles. The SD Cards should be your second priority, as they unlock base colors and horns. Scannable Objects and Journal entries can be collected opportunistically while you're exploring for the other two types.
The Magnetic Wheels gadget is essential for reaching high shelves and metal surfaces where many collectibles are hidden. Combine this with the Rope-Swing to create shortcuts between areas—you can often swing from a ceiling hook directly onto a metal wall, bypassing long drives through the lab. The Magnet Grab is your best friend for Scannable Objects, as it lets you pull items from behind furniture and inside containers without needing to position your car perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many total items are in the WheelMates customization 100% collection?
The complete collection includes 15 base colors (with 3 finishes each = 45 paint options), 12 wheels, 8 antennas, and 10 horns, totaling 75 unique cosmetic items. The customization 100% tracker counts all 75 items individually, so you'll need to collect every variant to reach 100%.
Can I get WheelMates customization 100% in a single playthrough?
Yes, but it requires careful exploration and using all three gadgets extensively. The game is designed to be completable in one run, but the camera handling issues and hidden collectible locations make it challenging. Using the Friend's Pass to have a partner search different areas simultaneously is the fastest approach.
Does the WheelMates complete customization collection carry over between save files?
No, customization progress is tied to your save file. However, if you start a new game with the same Steam account, you'll retain any items you've unlocked through achievements, but collectible-based items must be re-collected. Save at the chapter checkpoint before attempting this tricky maneuver.
Are there any WheelMates customization items exclusive to the Steam Deck?
No, the game is fully cross-compatible between Windows and Steam Deck. All 75 items are available on both platforms, and the Steam Deck is officially supported with optimized controls for the Rope-Swing and Magnetic Wheels gadgets. This also works when one partner uses Steam Remote Play Together.
What happens after I reach WheelMates customization 100%?
Firevolt Studio has confirmed that reaching 100% unlocks a secret ending cutscene featuring Professor Bloom's return. Additionally, you'll earn the "Lab Legend" achievement and unlock a special gold paint finish that's not counted in the 100% tracker but serves as a bragging right for completionists.....
Closing Thoughts on Customization 100
Wrap-Up on Customization 100
Customization 100 is one of the most expressive parts of the WheelMates experience, and the customization system is designed so that aesthetic choices never come with hidden gameplay penalties. Each part you collect is effectively a reward in itself, and the mixing system means you can chase rare combinations without worrying about which setup performs best in late-game puzzles. The full part list will expand as the September 1, 2026 launch adds new content from Firevolt Studio.
Tracking your collection progress is straightforward through the in-game Garage interface, which shows every part slot and the rarity tier of items you have yet to find. The most efficient route is to clear each chapter without backtracking first, then do a dedicated collectibles run with the beginner guide and chapter checklist side by side. This approach tends to surface 95% of all available parts in a single focused playthrough.