Not Sold on Electric Power Steering
11-07-11, 12:13 AM
#1
Moderator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 12,050
Likes: 0
Received 73 Likes
on
44 Posts
Not Sold on Electric Power Steering
Sometimes when I am parallel parking (which is often in San Francisco, and often on hills!) the steering is so stiff that it requires a lot of effort to turn the darn thing from one side lock to the other. I thought the point of electric power steering was that it could adjust to be light when parking and in town, and heavy during highway speeds.
Perhaps something is wrong but I think it is a quirk I have to live with.
Anybody else experience something similar or want to chime in?
Of course, this is only for the RX450h because I think the 350 still uses hydraulic.
Perhaps something is wrong but I think it is a quirk I have to live with.
Anybody else experience something similar or want to chime in?
Of course, this is only for the RX450h because I think the 350 still uses hydraulic.
11-07-11, 03:25 AM
#2
I parallel park several times a week and have not noticed a difference. I don't remember doing it on a hill however, so maybe that makes the difference.
See if parking on a level surface makes a difference, then talk with your dealer. I would think that since it is by "wire" that there would be a programmable feedback loop in there somewhere that could be adjusted.
See if parking on a level surface makes a difference, then talk with your dealer. I would think that since it is by "wire" that there would be a programmable feedback loop in there somewhere that could be adjusted.
11-07-11, 03:27 AM
#3
No, I don't play soccer!
RXSF, the steering is noticeably stiffer on the 450h. The 19" tires add to it. I noticed this the first week I got the RX. More two hands on the wheel to make turns than one. And is the steering wheel bigger or is it just me 
Given that though, I haven't experienced difficulty turning the wheel more than 'normal.'
Given that though, I haven't experienced difficulty turning the wheel more than 'normal.'
11-07-11, 04:29 AM
#4
I thought the 450h had electric variable ratio power steering?
.
I thought the variable thing was done hydraulically. I had more trouble the first month driving down a straight road. It was back and forth an inch or so constantly. After that first month one of us, the car or I, learned to drive a straight line.
I too, don't parallel park on hillsides.
From how stuff works:
Some cars have variable-ratio steering, which uses a rack-and-pinion gearset that has a different tooth pitch (number of teeth per inch) in the center than it has on the outside. This makes the car respond quickly when starting a turn (the rack is near the center), and also reduces effort near the wheel's turning limits
Some cars have variable-ratio steering, which uses a rack-and-pinion gearset that has a different tooth pitch (number of teeth per inch) in the center than it has on the outside. This makes the car respond quickly when starting a turn (the rack is near the center), and also reduces effort near the wheel's turning limits
I thought the variable thing was done hydraulically. I had more trouble the first month driving down a straight road. It was back and forth an inch or so constantly. After that first month one of us, the car or I, learned to drive a straight line.
I too, don't parallel park on hillsides.
11-07-11, 04:58 AM
#5
Variable ratio means that the faster you're going the less power is needed, and the slower you go more power assist is given.
RE: being stiff, Anita brought up the normal 19" wheels on the 450h and that does have an effect. Also make sure you're tire pressures are at least in the 32 psi area when cold. A 'too soft' tire will also require more effort.
RE: electric power steering. By nature it will feel slightly different but in the case of the hybrid where the (ICE) is not always running, there needs to be a power supply hence 'electric' power steering. Also you're not losing engine power to work it.
RE: being stiff, Anita brought up the normal 19" wheels on the 450h and that does have an effect. Also make sure you're tire pressures are at least in the 32 psi area when cold. A 'too soft' tire will also require more effort.
RE: electric power steering. By nature it will feel slightly different but in the case of the hybrid where the (ICE) is not always running, there needs to be a power supply hence 'electric' power steering. Also you're not losing engine power to work it.
I thought the 450h had electric variable ratio power steering?
.
I thought the variable thing was done hydraulically. I had more trouble the first month driving down a straight road. It was back and forth an inch or so constantly. After that first month one of us, the car or I, learned to drive a straight line.
I too, don't parallel park on hillsides.
.
I thought the variable thing was done hydraulically. I had more trouble the first month driving down a straight road. It was back and forth an inch or so constantly. After that first month one of us, the car or I, learned to drive a straight line.
I too, don't parallel park on hillsides.
11-07-11, 09:16 AM
#6
Moderator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 12,050
Likes: 0
Received 73 Likes
on
44 Posts
Well if it was stiff while driving in all conditions, then I can understand it. But it actually takes effort to park sometimes, not all the time. It is like the computer doesnt know to tell the steering wheel to loosen up
Trending Topics
11-18-11, 12:14 PM
#8
Driver School Candidate
The electric power steering on my wife's 2006 GS300 is a little tedious to drive on long, straight highway trips because it seems to steer in increments rather than as smoothly as a hydraulic system. So it seems that I'm always making little adjustments just to go straight. However, my (electric steering) 2010 RX450h is very smooth; I'm loving it.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
