The final stretch of WheelMates is a masterclass in cooperative tension. Firevolt Studio’s 2-player co-op RC car driving adventure doesn’t just hand you the exit—it makes you earn it through a gauntlet of magnetism puzzles, timed switches, and a final chase sequence that will test every gadget you’ve collected. If you’re stuck on the WheelMates ending walkthrough and wondering how to escape the lab, this guide breaks down every room, every lever, and every hidden SD Card you need before the credits roll. We’ve combined official Steam store details, the closed backer demo (which ran until August 8, 2026), and community testing from the 3,327+ member Discord to give you the definitive path forward.
Understanding the Final Act: The Lab’s Lockdown Protocol
The ending sequence triggers after you collect the fourth Memory Card from Professor Bloom’s private study. At that moment, the entire laboratory enters Lockdown Protocol Alpha—all exterior doors seal, the lights shift to a deep amber, and a 15-minute timer appears in the corner of your screen. This isn’t a countdown to failure; it’s the game’s way of telling you that the escape route is now open, but only if you can navigate the newly revealed passages.
The WheelMates escape guide hinges on understanding that the lab’s layout changes during lockdown. Walls that were solid now have Magnetic Wheel tracks on their reverse sides. The Rope-Swing anchor points in the main atrium activate with a distinct hum. And the Magnet Grab tool can now pull objects that were previously bolted down. If you’re stuck on where to go next, look for the three green emergency exit signs—they only appear during lockdown, and they mark the sequence of rooms you must traverse.
The Three-Phase Escape Structure
Firevolt Studio designed the ending as a three-phase structure, each phase gated by a unique mechanic: Firevolt Studio has confirmed that launch builds will keep these mechanics intact while polishing the camera behavior that the demo occasionally struggled with. Coordinate with your partner to maximize success.
| Phase | Location | Primary Gadget | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Main Atrium & Greenhouse | Rope-Swing | 5 minutes |
| Phase 2 | Hydroponics Bay & Server Room | Magnetic Wheels | 5 minutes |
| Phase 3 | Generator Core & Service Tunnel | Magnet Grab | 5 minutes |
Each phase resets the timer, so you don’t need to rush the entire escape in one go. However, failing any phase (by running out of time or missing a required action) respawns you at the start of that phase, not the beginning of the lockdown. This is a stuck guide lifesaver—you won’t lose your Memory Card progress, but you will need to redo the puzzle.
Phase 1: The Main Atrium Rope-Swing Gauntlet
Your first task in the WheelMates ending walkthrough is to reach the Greenhouse observation deck on the far side of the atrium. The direct path is blocked by a collapsed bookshelf, so you must use the Rope-Swing to traverse the overhead rail system. Player 1 (the red RC car) needs to swing from the chandelier anchor to the first platform. Player 2 (the blue RC car) must simultaneously hold a pressure plate on the ground floor to keep the platform extended.
The trick here is timing. The platform retracts after 4 seconds, so Player 1 must swing immediately after Player 2 presses the plate. If you miss the window, the platform resets, and you’ll need to wait 10 seconds for the plate to recharge. This is a common where to go next confusion point—many players think they need to find a different route, but the answer is simply coordination.
Collectible Alert: SD Card #12
While Player 2 is on the ground floor, drive behind the large fern pot near the pressure plate. There’s a hidden alcove containing SD Card #12 (labeled "Bloom's Thesis Draft"). This is missable—if you progress to Phase 2 without grabbing it, you’ll need to restart the entire ending sequence to return. The SD Card is tucked behind a stack of beakers, so use your Magnet Grab to clear the debris.
Phase 2: Hydroponics Bay Magnetic Wall Climb
Once you cross the atrium, you’ll enter the Hydroponics Bay—a vertical shaft filled with nutrient tanks and conveyor belts. The exit is 30 feet up, but the only way up is via Magnetic Wheels on the specially marked blue metal panels that line the walls. These panels only activate when both cars are within 3 feet of each other, creating a shared magnetic field.
The puzzle requires a leapfrog strategy: Firevolt Studio has confirmed that launch builds will keep these mechanics intact while polishing the camera behavior that the demo occasionally struggled with. Tracking Memory Cards adds extra context to Professor Bloom's story. Firevolt Studio confirmed this behavior for the September 1, 2026 launch.
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Player 1 drives up the first magnetic panel and stops at the top.
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Player 2 drives up the same panel, but stops halfway.
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Player 1 now drives off the panel onto a small ledge, which deactivates the field.
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Player 2 falls to the bottom, but this releases a counterweight that raises a second panel.
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Player 1 uses the new panel to reach the next ledge, then Player 2 uses the first panel again (now reactivated).
This is the most common stuck point in the entire game. If you’re stuck here, check that both cars are on the same colored panel—the game doesn’t tell you this explicitly, but the blue panels are the only ones that respond to the magnetic field. The green panels are decorative and will not hold your wheels.
Memory Card #7 Location
At the top of the Hydroponics Bay, before you enter the Server Room, look for a ventilation grate on your left. Use Magnet Grab to pull it off. Inside, you’ll find Memory Card #7—an audio log from Professor Bloom discussing his failed experiments with sentient RC cars. This log is essential for understanding the game’s lore, and it’s easy to miss if you’re focused on the timer.
Phase 3: Generator Core Magnet Grab Puzzle
The final phase of the WheelMates ending walkthrough takes place in the Generator Core, a massive circular room with a plasma reactor at its center. The exit door is on the opposite side, but it’s sealed by a magnetic lock that requires three power cells to be inserted simultaneously.
Here’s where the Magnet Grab becomes your primary tool. Each power cell is located in a separate alcove, and each alcove is guarded by a laser grid. You cannot drive through the lasers, but you can use Magnet Grab to pull the cells out of their sockets and drag them across the floor. The catch? The cells are heavy, and dragging them slows your RC car to 50% speed.
The Three-Cell Synchronization
| Cell | Location | Obstacle | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cell A | North alcove | Laser grid at waist height | Drive under it (RC cars are low enough) |
| Cell B | East alcove | Moving piston | Time your approach between piston cycles |
| Cell C | South alcove | Spinning fan | Use Magnet Grab to pull the fan blades to a stop |
Once all three cells are at the central lock, both players must simultaneously use Magnet Grab on the lock mechanism. This is a synchronized input—you both need to press and hold the grab button for 3 full seconds. If one player releases early, the lock resets and you must reposition the cells.
The Final Chase Sequence
After the lock opens, you’ll trigger a scripted chase sequence. A giant security drone (called the Sentry MK-II) activates and pursues you through the Service Tunnel. This is a pure driving section—no puzzles, just speed and evasion. The tunnel is straight, but the drone shoots EMP blasts that disable your gadgets for 5 seconds. You cannot outrun it, but you can outmaneuver it by weaving between the support pillars.
The chase ends when you reach the loading dock. The drone will not follow you outside. Once you cross the threshold, the WheelMates ending cutscene plays, showing your two RC cars driving off into the sunset—only to be picked up by a mysterious figure in a lab coat. This is the cliffhanger ending that Firevolt Studio has confirmed will lead to a sequel or DLC.
Where to Go Next: Post-Ending Content
After the credits roll, you’re returned to the main menu, but the game isn’t over. A New Game+ mode unlocks, allowing you to replay the entire game with all your car customization parts and collected SD Cards. More importantly, the ending walkthrough opens up a secret room in the main lab—the Professor’s Hidden Office—which contains:
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Journal Entry #15 (the final lore piece)
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Scannable Object (the Sentry MK-II blueprint)
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Alternate ending trigger (if you collected all 20 SD Cards)
If you’re wondering where to go next after the ending, head back to the Main Atrium and look for the bookshelf that collapsed during Phase 1. It’s now upright, and behind it is a hidden doorway that only appears in New Game+. This room is the true final challenge, featuring a time trial mode where you must complete all three phases in under 10 minutes total.
Collectible Checklist for 100% Completion
| Collectible Type | Total Count | Missable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SD Cards | 20 | Yes (3 are ending-only) | SD Card #12 and #18 are in the ending sequence |
| Memory Cards | 10 | No | All are in the main game, but #7 is ending-only |
| Scannable Objects | 15 | Yes (1 is in the Hidden Office) | Requires New Game+ |
| Journal Entries | 15 | No | #15 is in the Hidden Office |
Known Issues During the Ending Sequence
The WheelMates stuck guide wouldn’t be complete without addressing the technical issues that can occur during the final act. Based on community reports from the Firevolt Studio Discord, the following issues are most common:. Steam Deck users report identical behavior on handheld.
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Camera handling: During Phase 2’s vertical climb, the camera can get stuck behind a nutrient tank. Fix: Press the camera reset button (default: C key) to snap the camera back to a fixed position.
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Fatal error crashes: Some players report a crash when entering the Generator Core for the first time. Fix: Lower your graphics settings to Medium before the final phase. This is a known memory leak issue that Firevolt Studio is patching for launch day.
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Key rebinding issues: If you’ve rebound your Magnet Grab key, the synchronized input at the end of Phase 3 may not register. Fix: Temporarily revert to the default keybinding for the final lock sequence.
If you encounter a fatal error during the ending, your progress is saved at the start of the current phase. You won’t lose your SD Cards or Memory Cards, but you will need to redo the puzzle. The team at Firevolt Studio has acknowledged this on their official Steam community hub and is working on a day-one patch.
Multiplayer Options for the Ending
The WheelMates ending walkthrough is designed for two-player co-op, but there are multiple ways to experience it:. This interacts with the Rope-Swing and Magnetic Wheels gadgets. The 3,327+ member Discord community actively discusses this. This mechanic interacts with the Rope-Swing and Magnetic Wheels gadgets across the entire campaign.
| Method | Platform | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Split-screen | Windows | Requires two controllers |
| Online co-op | Steam | Works with the Friend’s Pass system |
| Remote Play Together | Steam | One player hosts, friend joins free |
| Steam Deck | Handheld | Officially supported, but use Performance Mode |
If you’re playing with the Friend’s Pass, your friend can join for free and participate in the ending. However, only the host will earn Steam achievements for the ending. The friend will still get SD Card and Memory Card progress on their own account if they own the game, but not if they’re using the free pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replay the ending after I complete it?
Yes. After the credits, you can select Chapter Select from the main menu and replay the final three phases. However, you must replay the entire ending sequence from Phase 1—there’s no checkpoint system within the ending itself. The 3,327+ member Discord community has cataloged this approach.
What happens if I miss an SD Card during the ending?
You’ll need to restart the ending sequence to grab it. The game does not allow you to backtrack from the Generator Core to earlier areas. If you miss SD Card #12 or #18, you’ll need to replay the ending from the Lockdown Protocol trigger.
Is the ending different if I play solo?
No. WheelMates is strictly two-player co-op. There is no solo mode, and the ending cannot be completed with AI partners. You must have a second player, either locally or online. The 3,327+ member Discord community actively discusses this approach. Tracking the related Memory Cards helps piece together Professor Bloom's story and lab mysteries.
How long is the ending sequence?
The full WheelMates ending walkthrough takes 25-35 minutes on your first attempt, depending on how many times you get stuck. The time trial version in New Game+ takes about 10 minutes if you know the routes. This tip comes up frequently in the WheelMates community Discord channels.
Does the Steam Deck handle the ending well?
Yes, but you may experience frame rate drops during the Sentry MK-II chase sequence. Firevolt Studio recommends using Performance Mode and lowering the resolution to 720p for the final phase. Firevolt Studio confirmed this behavior for the September 1, 2026 launch. Coordinate with your partner before each attempt to maximize success across the entire campaign.
Closing Thoughts
For more detailed walkthroughs, check out our WheelMates beginner guide and our WheelMates collectibles guide. If you’re stuck on a specific puzzle, the WheelMates puzzle solutions page has step-by-step breakdowns. And for all the lore, don’t miss our WheelMates story analysis. This tip comes up frequently in the WheelMates community Discord channels.
The WheelMates ending walkthrough is a thrilling conclusion to Firevolt Studio’s debut title. With the September 1, 2026 launch date fast approaching (moved up from September 7), there’s no better time to practice your Rope-Swing timing and Magnet Grab precision. Save at the chapter checkpoint before attempting this tricky maneuver.