New cars and power steering

MikeHiow

MikeHiow

MikeHiow

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What is it with modern cars and the steering being way over assisted? I first noticed it in the Insignia, A few Chevrolets, then the new Fiesta and now a brand new C3.

The others were annoying but the C3 was so light, I almost felt like I didn't have control of the car - it was beyond horrible.

Is it just me? Is there anyone that actually likes light steering?
 
I have to admit I prefer heavier power assisted steering, although I guess I could deal with speed sensitive power steering (low speeds = highly assisted, high speeds = low assistance).

Most run of the mill cars are far too light, and far too disconnected from driver feedback.
 
I have my Focus on the heaviest setting - the light setting is a bit too light, but not a huge problem, but at least there is an option to change it.
 
I have a C2 and personally love my super duper light steering. Makes driving around town a breeze, can turn the wheel with 1 finger if I wanted.

I can see why not everyone would like this though, but I do. :)
 
Perhaps it's to do with the "masses" interpretation of a nice feeling car? Oooh, isn't the steering easy....

Best car I've driving is a GT6, no assistance, and you could really feel where the wheels were (or weren't!) going.
 
super light steering gives you no confidence in what is going on, you just cant tell what the tyres are doing. you are effectively driving with one sense blindfolded, but most drivers are completely unaware of whats going on around them so not being able to feel the level of grip is hardly going to be an issue to them
 
Stumble Bum said:
I have a C2 and personally love my super duper light steering. Makes driving around town a breeze, can turn the wheel with 1 finger if I wanted.

I can see why not everyone would like this though, but I do. :)
Click to expand...

I can turn my steering with 1 finger and I don't have super over-assisted ... perhaps you need some more muscles
 
rypt said:
I can turn my steering with 1 finger and I don't have super over-assisted ... perhaps you need some more muscles
Click to expand...

I thought the same - I've never thought "ooh, this is far too heavy" even on some of the unassisted cars I've owned.
 
NathanE said:
All power steering is horrible IMO
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Don't agree, for example the power steering in the MX-5 / 944 / 968 / 911 (996) is spot on, perfect amount of assistance without compromising the feel.

However i'm finding it hard to get along with Variable rate steering in modern superminis, i hate when it changes feel mid corner like i'm about to understeer.
 
The only vehicle I get annoyed with when the PAS fails is the Land Rover...mostly as it likes to fail and stop the wheel from actually turning when you're trying to get into a space in a carpark between two cars. Not sure what the current problem is, but in the past it's sheered the bolt that mounts it to the engine and has emptied itself of PAS fluid before now too, really not helpful in an old 110 Defender.

Car-wise I've never had a problem with non-PAS cars, my BMWs are the first cars I've owned that have PAS. Can't say I've noticed the lack of feel on other PAS cars but then as they aren't mine I've never really driven them in a way that would warrant me properly noticing.
 
Another to add to your list is the mk4 mondeo...its mad light, far lighter than my mk3, it's ok round town but everywhere else heavier = better :)
 
Yeah super light steering is awful. In second place is the also common over servo'd brakes on most new cars, at least you can become accustomed to that though.
 
The brakes on my VXR were way over-servo'd (pulling out on the test drive, I nearly put us all through the windscreen), but as you say - you simply get used to that, I don't think its possible to just get used to the complete lack of steering feedback.
 
I did think that when i first got my new corsa (yes, corsa, i know. I got a very, very good deal though in my defence). In comparison to my old one it felt like i was floating on clouds or something. Fortunately the power steering 'adjusts' according to how fast you're going, so in a car park it does feel way too light but as soon as you hit 20mph it stiffens up significantly so you have a better feel of what the car's up to. When driving on NSL roads it's probably tighter than my old car thank christ.

At first i was mighty worried though, if the car had remained like that at all speeds i would have traded it straight back in.
 
I like a bit of heavier steering in car parks and other low speed stuff. It reminds you that you are actually driving a car and not a space pod from The Jetsons.

The only thing power steering seems to do is:

- remove all feel of the tarmac
- make low speed maneouvering a tad easier
- driving through puddles on the edge of the road are no longer a major, borderline dangerous, event
 
It's not just the steering, also the brake pedal and clutch pedal are way too light.

The power steering in my Focus can be adjusted but even when using the 'sports' setting I find it too light.
 
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