Controls & Performance
Last updated: July 13, 2026
Cheap Car Repair currently supports keyboard and mouse only. Controller and Steam Deck native support are frequently requested but not yet confirmed. Below are default control concepts and performance recommendations based on community feedback.
Controls & Performance
Cheap Car Repair currently supports keyboard and mouse only. Controller and Steam Deck native support are frequently requested but not yet confirmed. Below are default control concepts and performance recommendations based on community feedback.
Controls Overview
| Action | Default Input |
|---|---|
| Move | W A S D |
| Look | Mouse |
| Interact / Use | Left Mouse Button / E |
| Drop held item | G |
| Inventory / Tools | Tab / Number keys |
| Quick trunk retrieve (v1.1.008) | Hold Left Ctrl + click items |
| 3-axis item rotation (hotfix) | Hold scroll wheel + move camera |
| Crouch | Left Ctrl |
| Sprint | Left Shift |
| Combat (wrench) | Left Mouse Button when equipped |
Post-Patch Settings
- “Reduce Camera Movement Motion” — added in first hotfix; lowers camera shake for motion-sensitive players.
- DX11 compatibility: Steam Launch Options → -force-d3d11 — recommended for crash mitigation.
- Periodic autosaves (v1.1.008) run during gameplay; still use manual Save Game before quitting mid-job.
Performance Optimization
- Micro-stutters reported even on RTX 5060 / Ryzen 5 5600X — lower shadow quality and view distance first.
- Start at Medium settings on 8 GB VRAM GPUs (GTX 1060 / RX 580 class).
- Use 16 GB system RAM for smoother open-world transitions.
- Close background applications — the game uses significant disk I/O during load.
- Install on SSD — 30 GB with frequent asset streaming benefits greatly.
- Fullscreen mode typically performs better than borderless on mid-range hardware.
Steam Deck Note
Community reports confirm no native controller mapping as of launch. Steam Input community configs may provide partial workarounds, but expect a suboptimal experience for precise repair tasks like painting and bolt tightening.
System Requirements
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 1st gen / Intel Core i5 7th gen | AMD Ryzen 5 3rd gen / Intel Core i5 10th gen |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| GPU | RX 580 4 GB / GTX 1060 6 GB | RX 5700 XT 8 GB / RTX 2070 8 GB |
| Storage | 30 GB available | 30 GB available (SSD recommended) |
| Input | Keyboard & mouse | Keyboard & mouse |
Featured videos
Controls & Tool Use — renovate
Jack, filler, grinder, and menu navigation.
FAQ
How do I drop a held tool or part?
Press G. This is the fastest fix when you cannot interact with bolts, caps, or install points because your hands are full.
Does the game autosave after patch 1.1.008?
Yes — autosaves now happen periodically during gameplay, not only at mission end. Still use manual Save Game before quitting a half-finished job.
How do I enable DX11 mode?
Steam Library → right-click Cheap Car Repair → Properties → Launch Options → enter -force-d3d11. Helps some crash cases on weaker GPUs.
How do I rotate parts on all axes?
Hold the mouse scroll wheel and move the camera. Added in the first hotfix for precise part placement.
How do I quickly take items from a trunk?
Hold Left Ctrl and click items in the trunk to retrieve them one after another. Added in v1.1.008.