How Power Steering Affects your Vehicles Handling

Free First Look Richard Gauthier
Call now to schedule! 661-679-7957

Almost all vehicles today feature power steering. Power Steering helps make parking easier. It also is a necessity for heavier vehicles. Power steering is great for vehicles that constantly drive at low speed. But just how does it affect your vehicle’s handling?

Power steering or power-assisted steering sounds like what it is: a power system that works to help and assist in the turning of the wheels. This system uses hydraulic or electric power. Or, both work in tandem. It’s a system that works in response to the motion of the steering wheel. When the system detects the wheel being turned in either direction it responds by assiting and helping turn the vehicles drive system

Automotive power steering systems vary greatly in design, but a typical hydraulic setup includes the following:

How does hydraulic power steering work

There are many different designs of the power system steering. Here is what a typical hydraulic system will look like:

  • Sensors attached to the steering wheel that senses torque – These sensors will sense when a driver turns the wheel and the vehicle’s wheels haven’t responded yet. Steering systems will then provide the assistance to allow the wheels to catch up
  • Steering Pump – This pump is driven by a belt. The belt will help to raise the pressure of the power steering fluid.
  • Valves to direct the pressurized fluid – The power steering fluid is directed through a system of tubes and hoses on either side of the steering system according to which way the wheel is turned
  • Actuating controls – This helps to push the wheels to one side or the other.

 

The goal of the system

Typically, power steering makes the job of turning the wheel easier, while not negatively affecting the handling. The steering would be quick and responsive without affecting the sensitivity of the steering. Sensitive steering can be hard to control. You never want to be steering a vehicle without knowing what the wheels are doing or the direction that they are moving. Vehicle manufacturers attempt to achieve this goal with power systems, for the most part, they achieve this goal. Properly functioning power systems do not have an adverse impact on handling.

 

How these systems affect the handling

No matter how well designed a system may be there are still adverse effects. It can be difficult for manufacturers to design a system that will allow for low-speed maneuvers. This is hard while still providing a good feedback loop. This is commonly referred to as road feel. There is not a system designed that can give the exact match and feel of a good manual system of a sports car. There are differences and trade-offs when dealing with this system. Well-designed steering systems can give a good road feel to the driver. A Porsche Boxter is a good example of quality design. Other vehicles emphasize ease of driving. These ease of driving systems are commonly found inside Chevy’s (Suburbans). The steering of these vehicles is very responsive. Almost to the point of fingertip-light, even when parking.

A related phenomenon is that there could also be what seems like a “dead spot” when the wheels are centered — in other words, a small turn of the wheel could seem to not turn the car in the least or the steering could seem sluggish until the wheel is turned tons. This dead spot varies from vehicle to vehicle; again, performance cars usually offer more accurate feedback and thus have less of a dead spot but as a consequence, they’ll feel somewhat twitchy at high speed, while luxury models may feel a touch more sluggish in exchange for fewer twitchiness. Manufacturers are constantly performing on improvements that will let drivers have the simplest of both worlds, but the systems aren’t perfect yet so there’s always a trade-off.

Bakersfield Californian Best Of

Ready to work with one of Bakersfield best auto repair and maintenance shops? With years of experience, our team knows exactly what to look for to help get your vehicle back on the road.

Call Now! 661-679-7957

What our customers are saying...

G&G Specials

G&G Auto Repair can handle your vehicle's oil change and tire installation. Call 661-679-7957 to schedule today.

Oil Change
Semi-Synthetic
69.99

5 Quarts Oil and Filter. Includes oil change, filter, fluids level check, battery condition test, tire pressure check, and inspection for safety and reliability concerns.

Pricing may vary for certain European vehicles. Mention this special at check-in.

Oil Change
Full-Synthetic
89.99

5 Quarts Oil and Filter. Includes oil change, filter, fluids level check, battery condition test, tire pressure check, and inspection for safety and reliability concerns.

Pricing may vary for certain European vehicles. Mention this special at check-in.

Diesel Oil Change
Starting at
109.99

Duramax $109.99.
Dodge Cummins $119.99.
Ford Powerstroke $139.99.

Diesel oil change, multi-point inspection and battery test.

Mention this special at check-in.

Tires & Alignment
We do it here
CALL US

G&G offers tire replacement and alignment services. Call us today for more details.

G&G checks your tires for wear and date code. If needed, we can install tires while your vehicle is at our shop.

Call Now Button