New cars and power steering

[[TW]Fox]

The biggest problem is electric power steering which everyone is moving to for economy purposes

 

[mrk]

I like a chunky heavy steering wheel which doesn't have lack of feel when turning - like my car!

I don't like uber light wheels like on almost all Jap cars I have driven from Civics to Accord Type-Rs to Lexus RX300 and various Nissans, just way too light!

 

[InvaderGIR]

- driving through puddles on the edge of the road are no longer a major, borderline dangerous, event

I loved that... "Am I going to hedge it in this big puddle...who knows." went through one in the 318 and was a bit upset that the car hardly even twitched, I liked the challenge.

 

[blun]

As someone's mentioned - the problem is that the general 'cars are for A to B' public consider 'good handling' to mean 'light steering'.

I really like the way its set up on my e90 - its heavier than a lot of other cars I've driven but still easy for parking / 3 point turns etc..

 

[Gaijin]

The power steering in both the Civic and the Evo are very similar - heavy and connected, but the assistance is there if and when you need it.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

I drive two very different cars. One with zero power anything.

When I get back in the fiesta, I quite appreciate everything being light and effortless. It may not be as 'fun', but after a long drive, I dont feel like I've been doing it Flintstone style.

In a day to day car, the lighter the better IMO.

 

[Ricochet J]

I've driven a variety of newer cars and totally agree about overly assisted power steering.

It's not just the steering, also the brake pedal and clutch pedal are way too light.

Again, 100% agree with the clutch. It's as if you're not pressing anything!



I love the power steering and clutch feel in my Focus. To me, it's just right. Which is remarkable for a ten or so year old car.

 

[Westyfield2]

Every time I get in Mum's Fiat 500 I have to hit the Sport button as otherwise the steering is the softest walloweyest thing ever. I can't drive it like that!

 

[snowdog]

Personally prefer as assisted power steering as possible, want to be able to steer with my pinky so to speak... In my opinion the lighter the steering the better.

That said, having driven unassisted cars, it's not that hard at all from the moment you are moving, which you are supposed to do anyhow when turning the wheel. But parking is simply easier/less of a hassle with power steering, especially when it's nice and light.


I like the steering in my Volvo, the clutch is a tad hard though imo and the brake is a little bit too soft imo.

 

[Dave85]

My caddy steering was mental it was meant to know how you where driving and adjust but near the end of my time with it it would stop power assist going round corners at low speed and you had no steering untill you gave it power and in an auto you cant hold the clutch. Parking was a deadly game especially turning in streets

I think power steering in my grans punto is awesome you press city and it makes parking so light you can turn it with 1 finger.

 

[Participant]

Super light power steering serves a purpose for the masses that want a car that's easy to live with, and that do not give two hoots about how much feedback is provided by the steering, etc.

 

[markweatherill]

'Feedback' is something provided by other aspects of suspension design than simply the steering gear, isn't it?
Only an aficionado could tell, but I'd guess that two models of the same car, one with PAS and one without, would have similar lack of 'feedback'.

 

[Participant]

'Feedback' is something provided by other aspects of suspension design than simply the steering gear, isn't it?

This thread is about steering though. Is 'feedback through the steering wheel' incorrect terminology?

 

[VFR_KID]

I think power steering in my grans punto is awesome you press city and it makes parking so light you can turn it with 1 finger.

My partner has this its easy enough to park without it.

I have a 98 fiesta with no form of power steering. I tried to drive her car the other week after months of never driving anything but my Fiesta. turned the wheel and wondered where the hell it was going.

 

[Demon]

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.

This is something I wish more manufacturers would introduce, just give us some 'control' over how much assistance we have...

 

[NathanE]

I really hate watching a car apply full lock whilst totally stationary. Those poor tyres

The way I see it, uber light steering (and especially those cars with a special button for a "parking steering" mode) encourages the driver to turn the wheel excessive amounts whilst stationary.

 

[Jez]

I really hate watching a car apply full lock whilst totally stationary. Those poor tyres

The way I see it, uber light steering (and especially those cars with a special button for a "parking steering" mode) encourages the driver to turn the wheel excessive amounts whilst stationary.

I am really unconvinvinced that dry steering actually creates any form of notable wear on tyres?

 

[Participant]

I really hate watching a car apply full lock whilst totally stationary. Those poor tyres

I thought that the wear and tear on the pump itself was more significant than that of the tyres in that situation.

 

[Jez]

I thought that the wear and tear on the pump itself was more significant than that of the tyres in that situation.

Surely the pump will be specced with a massively higher capacity than that to be affected by...its job?

 

[Participant]

Maybe it's just a problem on older cars then, or maybe it's just an urban myth. One thing's for sure: the pump suffers more load with static turning than it does when you're moving.