MOZA on Xbox: The Complete Guide to the ESX Wheel, R3 Bundle, Wheel Mods and Upgrades

MOZA Racing hardware works on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One through one specific part: the MOZA ESX steering wheel. The Xbox licensing sits in the ESX wheel, not in the base, so a supported MOZA direct drive wheelbase becomes Xbox compatible as soon as an ESX is mounted on it. You can buy the ESX inside the MOZA R3 bundle (R3 base, ESX wheel, SR-P Lite pedals) or on its own, then upgrade the wheelbase, the rim and the pedals over time without losing Xbox support.

The MOZA R3 bundle for Xbox and PC: R3 base, ESX wheel and SR-P Lite pedals. The Xbox licensing sits in the ESX wheel, not the base.

How does MOZA work on Xbox?

MOZA’s Xbox support comes from the steering wheel. Microsoft requires racing wheels sold for Xbox to be officially licensed, and MOZA built that licensing into the MOZA ESX steering wheel for Xbox. The wheelbase, a direct drive base (a motor that turns the wheel shaft directly, with no gears or belts), connects to the console by USB. Pedals, shifters and handbrakes plug into the base, and the base passes everything to the Xbox as one device.

The ESX switches between Xbox and PC modes. According to MOZA’s Xbox FAQ, you hold the S1 and S2 buttons together for 5 seconds and the base restarts in the other mode. In Xbox mode, the RPM lights sweep from the edges to the center; in PC mode, they pulse red, yellow and green.

On PC, everything is tuned in MOZA Pit House, MOZA’s desktop control software. On Xbox, MOZA says base settings such as force feedback strength are adjusted with the MOZA Racing mobile app for iPhone and Android.

What is the MOZA ESX steering wheel?

The MOZA ESX is a 280 mm round steering wheel with an aluminum face plate, aluminum shift paddles and 22 programmable inputs, including two joysticks. MOZA rates it for PC, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One. It mounts with the MOZA quick release, an all-metal coupling that lets you swap wheels in seconds, so it fits every current MOZA direct drive base.

What comes in the MOZA R3 bundle for Xbox?

The MOZA R3 bundle for Xbox and PC is MOZA’s complete entry setup for console racers. It was MOZA’s first officially licensed Xbox product and it contains everything needed to race on a desk:

• MOZA R3 direct drive wheelbase, 3.9 Nm of torque
• MOZA ESX steering wheel
• MOZA SR-P Lite two-pedal set (throttle and brake, clutch sold separately)
• Table clamp for the R3 base
• Power adapter, power cable, USB cable and tool kit

The R3 base uses an X-shaped aluminum housing and a 15-bit encoder, the sensor that reads the wheel’s position. It has dedicated ports for pedals, a shifter, a handbrake, a dashboard and an emergency stop switch, which matters later when you start adding hardware.

At NOX Gaming, the MOZA R3, R5 and R5 Pro are sold only as complete bundles, not as standalone bases. The R3 comes in two versions, and they are easy to mix up. The MOZA R3 bundle for Xbox and PC includes the ESX. The MOZA R3 bundle for PC only includes the regular ES wheel and will not run on a console.

Should you buy the MOZA ESX on its own?

Buying the MOZA ESX on its own makes sense when you already have a MOZA wheelbase, or when you want more torque than the R3 offers from day one. Because the Xbox licensing lives in the wheel, the ESX turns a PC sim rig into an Xbox rig without replacing the base or the pedals.

Typical cases where the standalone ESX is the right buy:

• You own the MOZA R5 bundle, which ships with the PC-only ES wheel.
• You own the PC-only R3 bundle and bought an Xbox later.
• You run a stronger base such as the R9 or R12 on PC and want the same rig on console.
• You want to start on Xbox with a mid-range or high-end base instead of the R3.

Which MOZA wheelbases work with the ESX on Xbox?

The MOZA ESX works on every current MOZA direct drive base listed in MOZA’s official compatibility chart. This is the key to the MOZA Xbox ecosystem: you are not locked to the R3. You can pair the ESX with the base that matches your space, your budget tier and how much force you want, then keep upgrading.

More torque is not automatically better on a console. Above roughly 9 to 12 Nm, a desk clamp becomes the weak point and a cockpit is the better mount. Our guide on how to compare sim racing wheelbases walks through torque tiers, encoder resolution and mounting in more detail. For newer MOZA bases not listed above, confirm Xbox support with MOZA’s chart or with a MOZA dealer such as NOX Gaming before buying.

What MOZA wheel mods fit the ESX?

MOZA makes two rim conversions for the ES and ESX: the ES Formula Wheel Mod and the 12-inch Round Wheel Mod. A wheel mod replaces only the outer rim. It reuses the ESX’s buttons, joysticks, paddles, RPM lights, electronics and quick release. MOZA’s Xbox FAQ confirms that ES wheel mods work on the ESX because both wheels use the same format, so the ESX keeps its Xbox licensing with either rim.

ES Formula Wheel Mod

The MOZA ES Formula Wheel Mod turns the ESX into a formula-style wheel with the grips placed close to the controls. MOZA builds it from 4 mm aviation-grade aluminum with TPU rubber grips. It suits F1 24 and F1 25 on Xbox, plus any open-wheel or prototype car where steering inputs stay small.

12-inch Round Wheel Mod

The MOZA ES 12-inch Round Wheel Mod enlarges the ESX to 305 mm with microfiber leather grips. MOZA lists the rim at about 850 g, or 1.4 kg with the ESX button box installed, and includes shifter paddle extension blocks so the paddles stay within reach of the larger rim. The bigger diameter suits Forza Horizon, Forza Motorsport, rally titles and drifting, where hands move around the rim more.

Can you upgrade MOZA pedals on Xbox?

Yes. MOZA pedals that plug into the wheelbase are passed through to the Xbox with the rest of the setup, so the SR-P Lite set from the R3 bundle is a starting point, not a limit. You can add to the SR-P Lite or replace it with a load cell set, a brake that measures how hard you press rather than how far the pedal moves. Load cell braking is easier to repeat lap after lap because your leg learns pressure, not position.

Step 1: complete the SR-P Lite set

The MOZA SR-P Lite clutch pedal adds a third pedal for manual-gearbox cars and launches. MOZA also makes the RS22 brake performance kit, a spring and damper block that stiffens the SR-P Lite brake for a firmer, more progressive feel. MOZA states the RS22 fits the SR-P Lite only, not the older SR-P.

Step 2: move to load cell pedals

• MOZA SRP2 dual pedals: MOZA specifies a 100 kg load cell combined with a 15-bit angle sensor, plus 25 brake feel combinations out of the box. MOZA markets the SRP2 as PC and Xbox compatible. The SRP2 clutch pedal completes the set.
• MOZA CRP2 pedals: MOZA’s higher-tier load cell set, listed on MOZA’s compatibility chart for every current base.
• MOZA mBooster pedal set: an active brake pedal driven by a motor, also on MOZA’s chart for every current base.

Do MOZA shifters and handbrakes work on Xbox?

MOZA shifters and handbrakes work on Xbox when they are plugged into the wheelbase and the game allows custom button binding. MOZA’s Xbox FAQ states that peripherals connected directly to the base inherit Xbox support, but each game decides whether it accepts them.

MOZA’s Xbox games list shows the MOZA HBP handbrake working in titles such as Forza Horizon 5, Forza Motorsport, EA Sports WRC, The Crew Motorfest and Dirt Rally 2.0. The MOZA HGP H-pattern shifter and MOZA SGP sequential shifter are listed for fewer games, including Dirt Rally 2.0, V-Rally 4 and WRC 8. Check the game you play most before adding a shifter for Xbox use.

What doesn’t work with MOZA on Xbox?

MOZA on Xbox delivers full force feedback in supported games, but the Xbox platform imposes limits that do not exist on PC. Knowing them before buying avoids surprises:

• Some ESX buttons are inactive in Xbox mode. MOZA says this comes from Microsoft’s wheel development agreement. Every button works in PC mode.
• No telemetry. In Xbox mode, the RPM lights do not follow engine speed and a MOZA dashboard will not sync with the game.
• Game support varies. MOZA notes that some games, F1 23 and Assetto Corsa Competizione among them, check a device list before enabling plug and play. A few games need buttons bound by hand.
• No Pit House on the console. Base tuning happens in the MOZA Racing mobile app. Pit House on a Windows PC remains the tool for firmware updates and deeper tuning.
• Controller conflicts in Forza. MOZA says switching between a controller and the wheel in Forza games can leave the controller vibrating; turn the controller off while racing.

R3 bundle or ESX alone: which path fits you?

The right MOZA Xbox purchase depends on what you already own. The R3 bundle is the complete answer for a first setup. The standalone ESX is the answer for anyone who already has a MOZA base or wants more torque from the start.

The upgrade path is what sets the MOZA ecosystem apart on console. Start with the R3 bundle, add a clutch and a load cell brake, swap the rim for a formula or 12-inch mod, then move the ESX onto a stronger base. Every step keeps Xbox compatibility because the licensed wheel stays the same. Retailers such as NOX Gaming, an authorized MOZA dealer based in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, ship this full lineup across Canada and the US, so you can plan the whole path with one supplier.

How do you set up a MOZA wheel on Xbox?

Setting up a MOZA wheel on Xbox takes a few minutes once the firmware is current. These steps apply to the R3 bundle and to an ESX added to another supported MOZA base.

1. Update the firmware. Connect the base to a Windows PC, open MOZA Pit House and update the base and the ESX. A firmware update is MOZA’s first fix for pairing problems.
2. Mount the ESX. Lock the wheel onto the base with the MOZA quick release and plug the pedals, shifter or handbrake into the base ports.
3. Switch to Xbox mode. Hold S1 and S2 for 5 seconds. The base restarts, and the RPM lights sweeping toward the center confirm Xbox mode.
4. Connect to the console. Plug the base’s USB cable into the Xbox and power on.
5. Tune and calibrate. Open the MOZA Racing app on your phone to set force feedback and calibrate the pedals, then load the in-game wheel preset.