The professor’s home laboratory is a maze of oversized furniture, dangling cables, and magnetic surfaces that turn every room into a physics playground. WheelMates, developed by Firevolt Studio and launching September 1, 2026 on Steam, is a 2-player co-op RC car driving adventure where you and a partner control tiny vehicles through Professor Everett Bloom’s mysteriously empty house. The demo was pulled on August 8, 2026, but community testing from the 3,327+ members on the official Discord has already mapped out the early puzzle logic. This guide covers WheelMates puzzle solutions part 1 — the garage, kitchen, and backyard — with exact steps to hit 100% puzzle completion in those zones. You’ll learn how to use the Rope-Swing, Magnetic Wheels, and Magnet Grab gadgets in tandem, where every SD Card and Memory Card hides, and how to avoid the known camera handling issues that can make precision jumps frustrating.
Understanding the Core Puzzle Mechanics in WheelMates
Before you touch the first lever, you need to internalize how the three gadgets interact. Every puzzle in the early game is built around a simple loop: one player creates a magnetic anchor, the other swings or grabs, then both coordinate to trigger a switch or move a block.
The Rope-Swing Gadget
The Rope-Swing fires a tether that attaches to any metallic surface. When you retract the rope, your RC car swings in an arc. This is your main traversal tool for vertical gaps. In the garage, you’ll use it to reach the upper shelf where the first SD Card sits. The trick is to release the rope at the apex of the swing — if you hold too long, you’ll pendulum back into the starting position. Practice with short swings first; the camera can clip through walls, so keep your partner’s car on screen as a reference point.
Magnetic Wheels and Magnet Grab
Magnetic Wheels let your car drive up metal walls and across ceilings. Magnet Grab is the opposite — it pulls objects toward your car. The kitchen puzzle requires you to alternate these: one player drives up the refrigerator using Magnetic Wheels while the other uses Magnet Grab to pull a stuck drawer open. The drawer contains a Journal entry that explains why Professor Bloom left in a hurry. Note that Magnetic Wheels drain battery faster, so you’ll need to find charging pads before attempting long wall runs.
Co-op Puzzle Design Philosophy
Every puzzle in WheelMates is designed for two players, but the Friend’s Pass system means your partner doesn’t need to own the game. You can play split-screen, online, or via Remote Play Together. The puzzles scale their difficulty based on whether you’re playing locally or online — online play has slightly more forgiving timing windows to account for latency. The backyard puzzle in particular uses a seesaw mechanic that requires both cars to be on opposite ends simultaneously. If one player lags, the seesaw won’t balance.
WheelMates Garage Puzzle Solutions — 100% Walkthrough
The garage is your tutorial zone, but it still hides three Scannable Objects and two Memory Cards. Here’s the exact order to achieve WheelMates puzzle solutions 100% for this area. The 3,327+ member Discord community actively discusses this. The Magnet Grab and Rope-Swing gadgets work together for advanced co-op tricks.
Step 1: Activate the Power Cell
Start by driving both cars to the workbench on the left wall. One player uses Magnet Grab to pull the red lever on the wall-mounted fuse box. The other player must hold a Rope-Swing anchor on the ceiling beam directly above the fuse box. This creates a tension line that keeps the lever from snapping back. Once the power cell activates, the garage door opens halfway — but don’t drive through yet.
Step 2: The Shelf Climb
Drive to the shelf unit against the back wall. The bottom shelf has a SD Card tucked behind a paint can. Use Magnet Grab to pull the can away, then drive over the card to collect it. For the upper shelf, you need Magnetic Wheels. Have Player 1 drive up the metal support beam on the left side of the shelf. Player 2 stays on the ground and uses Magnet Grab to hold a loose plank steady — otherwise it falls and blocks the path. Once Player 1 reaches the top, they’ll find a Memory Card audio log from Professor Bloom discussing a “failed experiment.”
Step 3: The Garage Door Switch
The main puzzle is the garage door counterweight. There are two weighted crates on the floor. Each crate weighs exactly half the amount needed to trigger the door sensor. You must place both crates on the pressure plate simultaneously. Use Magnet Grab to drag one crate, but it’s too heavy to move alone. Instead, attach Rope-Swing to the crate and have the other player pull from the opposite direction. This creates a two-player tow — the game’s first real co-op test. Drag both crates onto the plate, then drive both cars onto the plate as well (your car weight adds the final push). The door opens fully.
Garage Collectibles Checklist
| Collectible | Location | How to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| SD Card #1 | Bottom shelf, behind paint can | Use Magnet Grab to move the can |
| Memory Card #1 | Upper shelf, right corner | Climb with Magnetic Wheels |
| Scannable Object #1 | Fuse box | Scan after activating power |
| Journal Entry #1 | Workbench drawer | Pull drawer with Magnet Grab |
WheelMates Kitchen Puzzle Solutions — Precision and Timing
The kitchen is where WheelMates puzzle solutions part 1 gets tricky. The room is filled with magnetic surfaces, but also slippery tile that reduces traction. The kitchen puzzle revolves around a stuck refrigerator and a broken toaster that needs to be launched across the room.
The Refrigerator Wall Climb
The refrigerator is the largest metal surface in the room. One player uses Magnetic Wheels to drive up the side, but the surface is coated with a non-stick layer that makes you slide after 3 seconds. You need to pulse your movement — tap forward, pause, tap again. Meanwhile, Player 2 uses Magnet Grab on the refrigerator handle to hold it steady. This prevents the fridge from rocking. At the top, you’ll find a Scannable Object — a photo of Professor Bloom with a mysterious figure.
The Toaster Launch
The toaster sits on the counter. It has a spring mechanism that launches when you press the lever. The goal is to launch the toaster onto a high shelf where a SD Card rests. But the toaster is too light to reach the shelf. Solution: use Magnet Grab to attach a metal weight to the toaster’s base. Then, have Player 1 press the lever while Player 2 uses Rope-Swing to pull the toaster back for extra tension. Release at the right moment — the toaster flies across the room. If you miss, the toaster lands on the floor and you must restart the sequence.
The Kitchen Timer Puzzle
The oven timer is set to 10 seconds. You must collect three Scannable Objects scattered around the kitchen before the timer hits zero. This is a pure speed test. The objects are: a spice jar on the counter, a magnet on the fridge door, and a fork stuck in the sink drain. Use Magnet Grab to pull the fork out, but be careful — the sink has a garbage disposal that can damage your car if you get too close.
Kitchen Puzzle Data Table
| Puzzle Element | Required Gadget | Common Failure Point |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator climb | Magnetic Wheels | Sliding off due to non-stick coating |
| Toaster launch | Rope-Swing + Magnet Grab | Releasing rope too early |
| Timer race | Magnet Grab | Getting stuck on sink edge |
| Drawer pull | Magnet Grab (dual) | Drawer slamming shut if not held |
WheelMates Backyard Puzzle Solutions — Environmental Chaos
The backyard is the largest area in part 1, and the backyard puzzle introduces weather effects — rain makes surfaces slippery, and wind can push your car off course. This is also where you’ll find the most Memory Cards (three total).
The Seesaw Bridge
The central puzzle is a seesaw that bridges a gap to a treehouse. The seesaw is balanced on a central pivot. One player must drive onto the left side while the other drives onto the right. The weight must be perfectly balanced — if one car is heavier (due to carrying a Magnet Grab object), the seesaw tips. Solution: both cars must be empty. Drive onto the seesaw simultaneously, then slowly inch forward until the bridge levels out. The treehouse contains a Journal entry that hints at a hidden basement entrance.
The Windmill Generator
A windmill on the edge of the yard powers a gate. The windmill blades are stuck. Use Rope-Swing to attach to a blade, then have the other player use Magnet Grab to pull the central hub. This rotates the blades, but the wind keeps changing direction. You need to time your pulls with the wind gusts — watch for the grass bending. Once the gate opens, you’ll find a SD Card in a birdhouse.
The Mud Pit
The mud pit is a hazard, not a puzzle, but it blocks access to a Scannable Object — a broken robot arm. To cross the mud, you need to use Magnetic Wheels on the metal fence posts that line the pit. However, the posts are spaced too far apart for a single jump. Solution: one player drives halfway, then uses Rope-Swing to anchor to the next post while the other player drives underneath to create a ramp. This is the most complex co-op maneuver in part 1.
Backyard Collectible Locations
| Collectible | Location | Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|
| Memory Card #2 | Treehouse interior | Solve seesaw bridge |
| SD Card #2 | Birdhouse near windmill | Open gate with windmill |
| Scannable Object #3 | Mud pit center | Cross using fence posts |
| Journal Entry #2 | Under the porch | Use Magnet Grab to lift the porch board |
Achieving 100% Puzzle Completion in Part 1
To get WheelMates puzzle solutions 100% for the garage, kitchen, and backyard, you need more than just solving the main puzzles. You must also find every collectible and complete the optional challenges. Here’s the full checklist. Coordinate with your partner to maximize success.
Optional Challenges
Each area has a hidden challenge that isn’t marked on the map. In the garage, you must complete the shelf climb without touching the ground — this requires perfect Rope-Swing timing. In the kitchen, you must launch the toaster and land it in the sink (not the shelf) to unlock a hidden SD Card. In the backyard, you must cross the mud pit using only Magnetic Wheels — no Rope-Swing allowed.
Known Issues That Affect Puzzle Completion
The community has reported that camera handling can cause you to miss jumps, especially in the kitchen where walls block your view. Workaround: use the reset camera button (default: R) frequently. Also, fatal error crashes have been reported during the seesaw bridge sequence — save your progress manually before attempting it. Finally, key rebinding is currently limited; if you’re using a non-standard controller, you may need to use the default keybinds for the first few puzzles.
Full Completion Checklist Table
| Area | Main Puzzles | Collectibles | Optional Challenge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage | Power cell, shelf climb, door switch | 4 items | No-ground shelf climb |
| Kitchen | Fridge climb, toaster launch, timer | 3 items | Toaster into sink |
| Backyard | Seesaw, windmill, mud pit | 4 items | Magnetic-only mud crossing |
Co-op Strategies for WheelMates Puzzle Solutions Part 1
Playing with a partner is essential, but the Friend’s Pass system means you might be playing with someone less experienced. Here are strategies to keep both cars moving. Tracking Memory Cards adds extra context to Professor Bloom's story. Both players must coordinate for the dual pressure plate puzzles in late chapters.
Communication Protocols
Use voice chat if possible. If not, the game has a ping system — press the middle mouse button to place a marker. Always call out when you’re using Magnet Grab because it can accidentally pull your partner’s car. In the kitchen, one player should be designated as the “anchor” — they hold objects steady while the other moves.
Role Specialization
Decide early who handles Rope-Swing and who handles Magnetic Wheels. In the garage, the Rope-Swing player should be the one on the ground, while the Magnetic Wheels player climbs. In the backyard, the Magnet Grab player should stay near the center to pull objects, while the other navigates the perimeter.
Dealing with Camera Issues
The camera handling issue is worst in tight spaces. If you lose sight of your car, press the focus button (F) to center the camera on your vehicle. If you’re playing split-screen, the camera splits dynamically — this can cause one player to see less. Adjust the split-screen ratio in the options menu to 70/30 favoring the player who’s solving the active puzzle.
When to Use Remote Play Together
If you’re playing online and experiencing lag, switch to Remote Play Together — it uses the host’s connection, which is often more stable. However, Remote Play Together doesn’t support the Friend’s Pass system, so your friend needs to own the game. For free play, use the standard online mode and accept a slight input delay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play WheelMates puzzle solutions part 1 solo?
No, all puzzles require two players. The game is strictly 2-player co-op, but you can use the Friend’s Pass to let a friend join for free. There’s no AI partner option. The 3,327+ member Discord community actively discusses this approach. Save at the chapter checkpoint before attempting this tricky maneuver with your co-op partner.
What happens if I miss a collectible in the garage?
You can replay any area after completing it. Use the chapter select menu from the main hub. The game tracks your SD Card and Memory Card counts per area, so you can see what you’re missing. Practicing this in the demo helps build muscle memory before launch.
Are there any known crashes in the kitchen puzzle?
Yes, the fatal error crash has been reported when the toaster lands on the floor. The developers at Firevolt Studio are aware and have posted a fix on the Steam community page. Workaround: save before launching the toaster. The 3,327+ member Discord community has cataloged this approach.
How do I unlock the backyard puzzle?
You must complete the garage and kitchen puzzles first. The garage door leads to the backyard, but it only opens after you’ve solved the kitchen timer puzzle. There’s no way to skip ahead. The 3,327+ member Discord community has cataloged this approach.
Is the Steam Deck supported for all puzzles?
Yes, the Steam Deck is officially supported. However, the camera handling issues are more pronounced on the smaller screen. Use the touchscreen to adjust the camera if the buttons feel unresponsive. Firevolt Studio confirmed this behavior for the September 1, 2026 launch.