Free retrofit for Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel

Stephen Withers
Friday, 24 August 2007 02:28

Your IT - Entertainment

It's not only faulty batteries that overheat and cause problems - Microsoft  is warning that a component in the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel "may in rare cases overheat and release smoke".

The problem only occurs when the wheel is being used on mains power, so the company recommends only battery power is used until a "retrofit" part is installed. The downside is that force feedback only works with mains power, and Microsoft has not indicated when the retrofit is likely to ship.

"There have been no reported incidences of fire, personal injury or property damage due to the Wheel malfunction," said Microsoft officials.

The retrofit will be sent free of charge to owners. A downloadable order form is available from the Xbox site but return instructions are only shown for North and South America, and Europe.

What should owners in other regions do? A phone call to your local Xbox support line (eg 1800 555 741 in Australia) would seem prudent.