Experiencing issues with the force feedback in Euro Truck Simulator 2? Many players, particularly those using advanced wheel setups, have noted a peculiar deadzone issue that can detract from the immersive driving experience. This article addresses a common complaint regarding the force feedback (FFB) in Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2) – specifically, an annoying near-center deadzone and a sudden, jarring engagement of force feedback just outside this zone. This is often described as a “wobble” or an area where the wheel feels unresponsive before abruptly stiffening.
This issue is particularly noticeable at highway speeds during long, sweeping turns, where maintaining a constant, slight steering input around the center becomes crucial. The unnatural feeling of this deadzone and sudden FFB engagement can be quite disruptive to the realism and enjoyment of the simulation.
One user, experiencing this exact problem, shared a potentially counterintuitive yet effective workaround. The solution? Maximize the Steering Sensitivity slider within the game’s settings.
While it might seem illogical to increase sensitivity to address a deadzone issue, this adjustment appears to smooth out the force feedback response around the center. Instead of a distinct deadzone followed by an abrupt increase in resistance, the effect becomes more gradual and less jarring. It’s as if the “bumps” in force feedback are spread across a wider range, making the transition less noticeable and more manageable. It’s important to note that this steering sensitivity setting doesn’t seem to affect the overall steering linearity or degrees of rotation, but rather specifically targets the feel around the center of the wheel.
For those using a Fanatec CSL DD wheel, further fine-tuning can be achieved through specific wheel settings in conjunction with in-game configurations. Below are recommended settings that have been reported to provide a good balance of steering weight and a natural return-to-center feel:
Fanatec CSL DD Wheel Settings:
- SEN: 900 (Steering Angle – Degrees of Rotation)
- FF: 100 (Force Feedback Strength)
- FFS: PEAK (Force Feedback Scale – Peak force)
- NDP: 85 (Natural Damper – Resistance to wheel movement)
- NFR: 50 (Natural Friction – Constant friction on the wheel)
- NIN: OFF (Natural Inertia – Simulates wheel inertia)
- INT: 6 (Interpolation – Smoothing of FFB signals)
- FEI: 70 (Force Effect Intensity – Intensity of effects like road surface)
- FOR: 100 (Force – Overall force strength)
- SPR: 100 (Spring – Return to center spring effect)
- DPR: 100 (Damper – General damping effect)
- BLI: (User preference) (Brake Light Intensity – Purely visual preference)
In-Game Configuration (controls.ssi file):
config_lines[42]: "constant c_ff_gain 9.000000"
config_lines[43]: "constant c_ff_hi_spd 1.000000"
config_lines[44]: "constant c_ff_lo_spd 0.000000"
config_lines[45]: "constant c_ff_fricton 0.750000"
config_lines[46]: "constant c_ff_engine 0.020000"
config_lines[47]: "constant c_ff_surface 0.200000"
config_lines[48]: "constant c_ff_bumps 0.750000"
config_lines[49]: "constant c_ff_collis 0.500000"These in-game settings, adjustable within the controls.ssi file, further refine the force feedback experience. They contribute to a steering feel that has a satisfying weight and a gradual return to center, preventing the wheel from snapping back too aggressively, which can be common with default settings.
While these settings offer a significant improvement and a more enjoyable Euro Truck Simulator 2 experience, force feedback preference is subjective. Consider these recommendations as a starting point. Experiment with minor adjustments to both your wheel settings and in-game configurations to find the perfect force feedback profile that suits your personal driving style and hardware. The goal is to eliminate the distracting deadzone and achieve a smoother, more realistic steering feel in your euro truck adventures.
