Learning how to wheelmates swing across gaps is the single most important movement skill in Firevolt Studio's two-player RC car co-op adventure. The demo, which went live in early August 2026 and was pulled back on August 3 ahead of the September 1 full release, showed players that nearly every puzzle in the professor's laboratory demands a clean gap crossing — whether that means a rope swing over a broken pipe, a magnetic drive around a chute, or a magnet grab that pulls a platform into place. Because the game hands you a rope swing, magnetic wheels, and a magnet grab gadget almost back to back, you rarely face a simple jump. Instead, you choose between three movement systems that each behave differently depending on the surface, the angle, and where your partner is standing. This guide breaks down wall drive angles, object pull windows, and the gadget combos that turn a terrifying chasm into a routine detour. Community players who tested the demo report that mastering these techniques lets you finish the first laboratory section roughly twice as fast as trial-and-error players.
Why Swing Across Gaps Is the Core Skill
Every level in WheelMates is built around the idea that two RC cars can accomplish what one cannot. The rope swing lets you grab a node and launch over a gap that's too wide for a jump, while the magnetic wheels allow you to drive up vertical surfaces and bypass obstacles entirely. The magnet grab gadget pulls objects toward you, which opens shortcuts that look impossible at first glance. Because these three systems interact with each other, the game's best moments come from combining them, and that's exactly why the community has spent so much time testing gadget combos since the demo released.
The demo included 18 collectible SD cards, and the hunt for card 17 of 18 became a hot topic on the Steam Community boards, which tells you how much exploration the level design encourages. The official WheelMates website describes the professor's laboratory as a playground of rope-swing puzzles, magnetic wheels, and magnet grab gadgets, and that description matches what players actually found in the build.
Here's what the movement toolkit looks like in practice:
-
Rope swing — grab a node, build momentum, and release to cross gaps up to three car lengths wide (based on community testing of the demo build).
-
Magnetic wheels — activate wall adhesion to climb vertical surfaces and cross gaps that have no floor at all.
-
Magnet grab — pull objects toward the car, or reposition your partner mid-gap to extend a swing.
| Gap Type | Recommended Method | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short gap (1–2 car lengths) | Simple jump | Low | No tools required |
| Wide gap (3–4 car lengths) | Rope swing | Medium | Timing the release matters |
| Vertical wall with no floor | Magnetic wheels | High | Needs a magnetic surface |
| Gap blocked by a crate | Magnet grab | Medium | Pull the object first |
The takeaway is simple: you can't rely on one tool alone. The game expects you to read the environment and pick the right movement system for each gap, and that decision is what separates a smooth run from a frustrating one.
Rope Swing Techniques for Wide Gaps
The rope swing is the most forgiving of the three movement systems, but it still demands a feel for timing that takes a few tries to develop. The key is to understand that the rope doesn't behave like a simple pendulum — it has a slight delay between your input and the car's response, which community players have confirmed through frame-by-frame testing of the demo.
Timing the Release
The release point matters more than the swing itself. If you let go too early, you'll fall short of the ledge; too late, and you'll overshoot and crash into the far wall. The sweet spot is when the car reaches the top of its arc, which is roughly 0.4 seconds after the swing starts to slow down. Because the game uses a fixed camera angle in most rooms, you can train your eye to recognize that moment by watching the car's shadow.
Holding the Rope
You don't always have to release immediately. Holding the rope lets you hang in place while your partner drives to a button or pulls a lever, which is a core part of the co-op design. The rope swing can be held indefinitely, but the camera will slowly zoom out to give you a better view of the room, which is a subtle hint that you should be looking for a way to help your partner.
For a deeper look at the puzzle types that use these swings, check out the rope swing puzzles guide, which covers the switch, lever, and button puzzles that appear right after the first gap section.
| Swing Type | Best Use | Timing Window | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short swing | Crossing small gaps | 0.2–0.3 seconds | Releasing too late |
| Full swing | Crossing wide gaps | 0.4–0.5 seconds | Releasing too early |
| Hold | Waiting for partner | Unlimited | Forgetting to release |
| Wall bounce | Changing direction | 0.3 seconds | Missing the wall |
Magnetic Surfaces That Change Gap Swings
The magnetic wheels are the second major tool, and they completely change how you approach gaps. Instead of swinging across a chasm, you can simply drive up a wall and around the obstacle, which is often faster and safer. The demo's magnetic surfaces appear as dark metal panels that glow slightly when you approach them, and the game gives you a visual cue when your wheels lock onto the surface.
Magnetic Wheel Adhesion
When you drive onto a magnetic surface, your car's wheels lock and you gain the ability to drive vertically. The adhesion is strong enough to hold you on the wall even when you stop, which is a huge advantage in sections where you need to wait for a platform to move. Community testing shows that the magnetic wheels can hold you for up to 8 seconds before the grip starts to fade, which gives you plenty of time to plan your next move.
Wall Drive Angles
The angle at which you approach a magnetic surface matters more than you might expect. If you hit the wall at a sharp angle, the car will slide and lose grip, but if you approach at a 45-degree angle or shallower, the wheels lock instantly. This is the same mechanic that lets you drive on walls in the later sections, and it's the foundation for the game's most satisfying shortcuts.
| Surface Type | Grip Time | Best Approach | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat metal panel | 8 seconds | 45° or shallower | Easiest to use |
| Curved metal pipe | 5 seconds | Follow the curve | Requires constant input |
| Magnetic ceiling | 6 seconds | Straight up | Hardest to control |
| Moving platform | 3 seconds | Wait for alignment | Requires timing |
If you want to know exactly where to find every magnetic surface in the game, the magnetic wheel locations guide has a full map breakdown. The short version is that magnetic surfaces are always marked with a subtle blue glow, and they're almost always placed near a gap that would otherwise be impossible to cross.
Gadget Combos for Longer Swings
The third tool, the magnet grab, is where the game's creativity really shines. Instead of just swinging across a gap, you can use the magnet to pull objects toward you, which opens up entirely new routes. The demo shows that the magnet grab can pull crates, barrels, and even your partner's car, and each of those uses changes how you approach a gap.
Magnet Grab Pulls
The magnet grab has a range of about 4 car lengths, and it works on any object that glows with a green outline. When you grab an object, you can pull it toward you, which is useful for clearing a path or creating a platform. You can also grab your partner and pull them across a gap, which is a great way to help a player who's stuck on the other side.
Launch Combos
The most advanced technique is the launch combo, which combines the rope swing with the magnet grab. You grab a rope node, swing toward a wall, and then use the magnet grab to pull a crate that's positioned on the other side of the gap. The crate moves toward you, which gives you a boost of momentum that carries you across the gap without a second swing. Community players report that this combo is the fastest way to cross the wide gaps in the laboratory's second section.
| Combo | Input Order | Difficulty | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rope + Magnet | Swing, grab, release | Medium | Crosses wide gaps |
| Magnet + Rope | Grab, pull, swing | Hard | Reaches high ledges |
| Wall + Magnet | Drive, grab, pull | Hard | Bypasses obstacles |
| Double Magnet | Grab, pull, grab | Very hard | Crosses two gaps |
For a complete breakdown of how the magnet grab works in every situation, the magnet grab guide has the full list of objects you can grab and the best uses for each. The short version is that the magnet grab is the most flexible tool in the game, and it's worth practicing with it in the first room of the demo.
Co-Action for Across-Gap Swings
The co-op aspect is where the game really shines, and it's also where most players get stuck. Because the game supports same-keyboard two-player mode, you and your partner share a single keyboard, which means you need to coordinate your movements carefully. The demo's camera handling was a common complaint in the IGN demo impressions, but the co-op design is solid enough that the camera issues don't ruin the experience.
Same-Keyboard Coordination
When you're sharing a keyboard, the biggest challenge is that you can't both press the same key at the same time. This means you need to plan your movements so that you're not both trying to grab the same rope node or pull the same object. The best approach is to assign one player to the rope swing and the other to the magnet grab, and then switch roles when you reach the next section.
Role Splitting
The most effective strategy for the co-op sections is to split roles. One player takes the rope swing and the other takes the magnet grab, and then you work together to cross each gap. The rope swing player goes first, and the magnet grab player pulls a crate into place for the second crossing. This approach works well because it uses both tools at the same time, and it's the fastest way to complete the laboratory's second section.
The 17/18 SD Card Trick
One of the most popular community discoveries is that the 17th SD card is hidden behind a gap that requires a specific combo. You need to use the rope swing to reach a ledge, then use the magnet grab to pull a crate that's hidden behind a wall. This is a perfect example of how the game rewards players who master the movement systems, and it's the reason why the 17/18 SD card became such a hot topic on the Steam Community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to swing across gaps in WheelMates?
The rope swing is the most reliable method for wide gaps, but you need to release at the top of the arc to get the maximum distance. For very wide gaps, combine the rope swing with the magnet grab to pull a crate or your partner for extra momentum.
Can I drive on walls in WheelMates?
Yes, the magnetic wheels let you drive on walls and other magnetic surfaces. You need to approach the wall at a shallow angle to get the best grip, and you can hold your position for up to 8 seconds before the grip fades.
How do I pull objects with the magnet grab?
The magnet grab works on any object that glows blue, including crates, barrels, and your partner. Aim at the object, press the grab button, and then pull the object toward you. You can also use it to pull your partner across a gap.
What are the best gadget combos for crossing gaps?
The launch combo is the most effective: swing on a rope, then use the magnet grab to pull a crate toward you while you're mid-swing. This gives you a boost that carries you across the widest gaps in the game.
Is WheelMates playable with one keyboard?
Yes, WheelMates supports same-keyboard co-op, so two players can share one keyboard. The camera handling is tricky during rope-swing puzzles, but the co-op design holds up. Just assign each player distinct keys for the magnet grab gadget and swing timing, and the game remains fully playable.