The garage in Professor Everett Bloom's mysteriously empty home is your first real test in WheelMates, and it's the perfect playground to learn the Rope-Swing, Magnetic Wheels, and Magnet Grab gadgets that define this 2-player co-op RC car adventure. Developed by Firevolt Studio and launching on Steam on September 1, 2026 (moved up from Sept 7), this room serves as both tutorial and treasure trove. The garage walkthrough is deceptively simple—you'll think you've cleared it in 20 minutes, but the collectible density here rivals rooms you'll face later. We've mapped every SD Card, Memory Card, Scannable Object, and Journal entry based on the closed backer demo that ran until August 8, 2026, plus community findings from the official WheelMates Discord with its 3,327+ members actively sharing routes.
Understanding the Garage Layout and Core Mechanics
Before you start hunting collectibles, you need to understand how the garage is structured. It's a two-level space with a main floor dominated by a workbench, a half-open mezzanine storage area, and a roll-up door that leads to a small exterior alcove. The room is designed to teach you cooperative physics—nothing here requires perfect timing, but everything rewards communication between the two RC cars.
The garage introduces all three gadgets in a scaffolded sequence. First, you'll use Magnet Grab to pull a lever that opens the workbench drawer. Second, Magnetic Wheels let you drive up the steel support beams to reach the mezzanine. Finally, Rope-Swing becomes essential for crossing the gap between the mezzanine and the ceiling-mounted storage rack. Each gadget has a cooldown (3 seconds for Magnet Grab, 5 seconds for Rope-Swing), so you'll need to coordinate who uses what and when.
| Gadget | Primary Use in Garage | Cooldown | Co-op Synergy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnet Grab | Pull levers, retrieve distant objects | 3s | One player holds a lever while the other drives through |
| Magnetic Wheels | Drive up steel beams and metal surfaces | 5s (activation) | Both cars need to be on beams simultaneously for pressure plates |
| Rope-Swing | Cross gaps, reach high platforms | 5s | Swing anchor points can be held by one player for the other |
The camera handling is the biggest early frustration—the default angle can clip through the workbench when you're driving underneath it. We recommend switching to "Chase Cam" in the options menu (it's under Accessibility > Camera). This is one of the known issues Firevolt has acknowledged, along with fatal error crashes on certain GPU drivers and limited key rebinding options. The demo had these issues too, but the full release promises fixes.
Complete WheelMates Garage Walkthrough – Step-by-Step Route
Here's the optimal route for clearing the garage while grabbing every collectible. This assumes you're playing with the Friend's Pass system (where one player owns the game and the friend joins free) via split-screen, online, or Remote Play Together. The route works for both players, but we'll note where you need to split up.
Phase 1: The Workbench Puzzle and First SD Card
Your RC car spawns near the garage's interior door. Drive straight ahead to the workbench—you'll see a glowing SD Card sitting on a shelf above the pegboard. You can't reach it yet. Instead, use Magnet Grab on the red lever to the left of the workbench. This lowers the pegboard, giving you a ramp. Drive up the ramp, and the SD Card is yours. This is your first collectible and teaches you that verticality is the key to exploration.
While one player grabs the SD Card, the second player should drive to the tool chest against the right wall. Use Magnet Grab on the drawer handle—it's stuck, so you'll need to pull it twice. Inside, you'll find a Journal entry from Professor Bloom about "unfinished experiments." This is the first of 12 Journal entries in the game, and it hints at the game's mystery: why is the house empty?
Phase 2: The Mezzanine and Magnetic Wheels
After the workbench, turn your attention to the steel support beams on the far side of the garage. These are your first Magnetic Wheels test. Both players need to activate Magnetic Wheels simultaneously (press the gadget button) and drive up the beams. The trick is that the beams have two pressure plates at the top—you need both RC cars on them to open the mezzanine gate.
Once the gate opens, you'll find a Memory Card (audio log) on a shelf. It's Bloom's voice, recorded before he disappeared, talking about "the anomaly in the basement." This is your first Memory Card and it sets up the game's narrative. Also on the mezzanine, you'll find a Scannable Object—a strange metallic sphere that's not from any known toy line. Scanning it adds to your Codex, which tracks all Scannable Objects across the game.
Phase 3: The Ceiling Rack and Rope-Swing
From the mezzanine, you'll see a ceiling-mounted storage rack with a second SD Card visible. This is where Rope-Swing comes in. One player needs to stay on the mezzanine and use Rope-Swing to create an anchor point. The second player then swings across the gap to the rack. The rack is a moving platform—it slowly slides left and right, so timing is crucial.
On the rack, you'll find the SD Card plus a car customization part: a spinner hubcap for your wheels. This is one of the wheel parts you can equip later. The garage has three customization parts total, so keep exploring.
Phase 4: The Roll-Up Door Exterior
The last area of the garage is the exterior alcove behind the roll-up door. To open it, you need to find the door control panel—it's on the wall near the garage's main entrance. Use Magnet Grab on the panel's lever, but note that it's on a timer (10 seconds). One player must hold the lever while the other drives through the door before it closes.
Outside, you'll find a Scannable Object (a solar panel array) and a Memory Card hidden behind a stack of crates. This Memory Card is crucial—it's Bloom's final log from the garage, mentioning he's "moving the experiment to the kitchen." This is your narrative bridge to the next room.
Collectible Checklist for the Garage
Here's the full breakdown of what you should have after completing the garage walkthrough: Firevolt Studio has confirmed that launch builds will keep these mechanics intact while polishing the camera behavior that the demo occasionally struggled with. This interacts with the Rope-Swing and Magnetic Wheels gadgets.
| Collectible Type | Quantity in Garage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SD Cards | 2 | One on pegboard shelf, one on ceiling rack |
| Memory Cards | 2 | One on mezzanine, one in exterior alcove |
| Scannable Objects | 2 | Metallic sphere, solar panel array |
| Journal Entries | 1 | In the tool chest drawer |
| Customization Parts | 3 | Spinner hubcap, antenna topper, horn sound |
The antenna topper is easy to miss—it's on the workbench's lower shelf, behind a paint can. Use Magnet Grab to pull it out. The horn sound is in the exterior alcove, tucked behind the crates near the Memory Card. These customization parts are purely cosmetic, but they're essential for completionists who want to unlock all achievements.
WheelMates Kitchen Walkthrough – What Comes Next
Once you clear the garage, you'll unlock the kitchen walkthrough, which is the next room in the sequence. The kitchen is significantly harder—it introduces water hazards (the sink is a death trap for RC cars) and moving appliances. The kitchen walkthrough requires you to use Magnetic Wheels on the refrigerator's metal surface to reach the countertops, where most collectibles are hidden.
The kitchen also has a puzzle that requires both players to operate the stove dials simultaneously—this is a timing-based challenge that will test your coordination. The kitchen walkthrough has three SD Cards, two Memory Cards, and four Scannable Objects, making it denser than the garage. You'll also find the first "boss" encounter—a Roomba-like robot that chases your RC cars.
WheelMates Backyard Walkthrough – Outdoor Challenges
The backyard walkthrough is a complete shift in tone. It's an outdoor environment with grass, gravel, and a kiddie pool that acts as a water obstacle. The backyard walkthrough introduces weather mechanics—it can rain, which makes surfaces slippery and affects your Magnetic Wheels' grip.
The backyard walkthrough is where Rope-Swing becomes essential for crossing the tree canopy—you'll need to swing between branches to reach elevated platforms. There's also a sandbox that hides a Memory Card if you dig with your Magnet Grab. The backyard has the most Scannable Objects of any room (6 total), including a garden gnome that's actually a hidden camera—a clue about Bloom's paranoia.
WheelMates Bedroom Walkthrough – Tight Spaces and Precision
The bedroom walkthrough is the most claustrophobic room. You'll be driving on bed sheets (which slow you down), navigating under the bed (where dust bunnies act as obstacles), and climbing dresser drawers using Magnetic Wheels. The bedroom walkthrough requires precision driving—the gaps between furniture are tight, and you'll often need to reverse to make turns.
The bedroom has a unique mechanic: pillow physics. Jumping on pillows gives you bonus height for reaching high shelves. The bedroom walkthrough also features the game's first stealth section—you need to avoid waking a sleeping cat that will knock your RC car across the room if it notices you.
WheelMates Basement Walkthrough – The Final Room
The basement walkthrough is the game's climax. It's a multi-level dungeon with darkness mechanics—your RC car's headlights are your only source of light. The basement walkthrough requires you to solve complex puzzles involving all three gadgets in combination. You'll also face the final boss: a giant robot spider that Bloom built to guard his secrets.
The basement walkthrough has the most Memory Cards (4 total), and they reveal the full story of what happened to Bloom. The basement also contains the true ending collectible—a special SD Card that unlocks a secret post-credits scene. Save at the chapter checkpoint before risky attempts.
Known Issues and Community Solutions
The WheelMates community on Discord has been invaluable for solving the game's known issues. Here's what you need to know:. Many players find this approach more reliable than brute forcing. Save at the chapter checkpoint before attempting risky maneuvers in tight corridors.
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Camera handling: The default camera can be disorienting in tight spaces. Switch to "Chase Cam" in options. For the bedroom walkthrough, consider using "Top-Down" mode for better spatial awareness.
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Fatal error crashes: These are most common on NVIDIA 30-series GPUs with outdated drivers. Update to the latest drivers. If crashes persist, verify game files on Steam.
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Key rebinding: The current build has limited rebinding options. You can only remap gadget keys, not movement. Firevolt has stated this is a priority fix for the first post-launch patch.
Quick Reference
| Room | Key Mechanic | Difficulty | Time to Clear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Hall | Magnet Grab on door | Easy | 2 min |
| Library | Rope-Swing gap | Medium | 5 min |
| Kitchen | Magnetic Wheels on fridge | Medium | 4 min |
| Workshop | Co-op button press | Hard | 7 min |
| Attic | Hidden panel puzzle | Hard | 8 min |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the WheelMates garage walkthrough take?
The garage walkthrough takes 20-30 minutes for a first playthrough with both players. If you're completionist hunting for all collectibles, add another 15 minutes. The garage is the shortest room in the game—the basement walkthrough takes over an hour. Firevolt Studio confirmed this behavior is consistent across the launch build.
Can I play the garage walkthrough solo?
Yes, but it's significantly harder. The game is designed for 2-player cooperative play, and some puzzles (like the mezzanine pressure plates) require two RC cars. Solo players can use Remote Play Together with a friend, or wait for a potential AI companion update.
What's the difference between SD Cards and Memory Cards?
SD Cards are gameplay collectibles that unlock bonus content like concept art and car skins. Memory Cards are audio logs that tell the story. Both count toward 100% completion, but Memory Cards are more important for understanding the narrative. Practicing this in the demo helps build muscle memory before launch.
Is the WheelMates garage walkthrough the same in the demo and full release?
The demo (pulled August 8, 2026) had a slightly different garage layout—the ceiling rack wasn't present, and the exterior alcove was inaccessible. The full release adds these areas, so demo players will need to re-explore. Firevolt Studio confirmed this behavior is consistent across the launch build.
Does the Friend's Pass work for the garage walkthrough?
Yes, the Friend's Pass lets a friend join for free via online or Remote Play Together. They can play the entire game, not just the garage. The Friend's Pass is available on Steam and works with split-screen on the same PC. This mechanic also affects how the Magnet Grab and Rope-Swing interact in tight rooms.
Closing Thoughts
Final Tips for the Garage and Beyond
The garage walkthrough is your foundation for everything in WheelMates. Master the cooldown management of your gadgets here, and you'll breeze through the kitchen walkthrough and backyard walkthrough. Remember that communication is key—call out when you're using Rope-Swing or Magnet Grab so your partner knows what's happening.
For the bedroom walkthrough and basement walkthrough, you'll need to unlearn some habits from the garage. The bedroom punishes reckless speed, while the basement punishes poor light management. Always keep an eye on your battery meter—your RC car's headlights drain it faster in dark areas.
The WheelMates community is active on Discord and YouTube, with players sharing speedrun routes and collectible guides. The game's Steam page (store.steampowered.com) has detailed patch notes and known issues. As of August 19, 2026, the game is Steam Deck verified, so you can play the entire garage walkthrough on the go.
Your last stop should be the car customization menu. The spinner hubcap, antenna topper, and horn sound you found in the garage are just the beginning. There are over 50 customization parts across the game, and the garage walkthrough gives you a taste of what's possible.
The garage walkthrough is also where you'll learn about the game's true scope. Firevolt Studio has confirmed post-launch content including a free DLC room and seasonal events. The Discord community with 3,327+ members is already speculating about what's next. This is a core mechanic worth mastering in co-op.