Electric-assisted power steering
 

As I was parking tonight, I noted the dimming of my headlights as I turned the wheel due, I'm sure, to the assist from the electric servos in the steering gear. This reminded me of a question I wanted to pose to the Forum:

What other makes/models have a similar system? Any word on how it's holding up?

You should make sure your battery is fully charged and in good shape. A low battery can reduce cranking speed and make the car difficult to start. I'd recommend sticking a trickle charger on it overnight or for the weekend.

I have not noticed anything similar although I have the 1SP package with the Xenon lights, I doubt they would dim (rather, just go off or flicker if the voltage got too low) - I havent noticed any dash lights or anything dimming though.

Simon.

I believe that I read that the 3-series BMWs use an electric assist power steering system too. A friend of mine has a 330 (about 2 years old) with 75,000 miles and no problems.

The 8 is not just equipped with electric assist, it is completely electric; no hydraulics at all. I think the S2000 has electric assist.

Wait a minute, so if a fuse blows, battery dies, or the engine stalls, will I LOSE STEERING??? That'll take your mind off the cold shut-down issue.

I'm not worried, because there is no way that could happen, right? Please clarify...

MEDICAL EXAMINER:
"Cause of death - Blown Fuse"

I will test that tomorrow to see exactly how the steering behaves with an electrical failure.

No, you would lose steering ASSIST - the steering will still work fine, it will just take a bit more effort to turn the wheel. At highway speeds, no problem, in a parking lot it would be noticeably more work. It's the same for cars with hydraulic power steering - if the engine dies, the steering gets heavier, that's all.

Regards,
Gordon

So whats new there.

I had an old car that stalled on me from time to time.

No power steering, no servo brakes. U can deal with it.

Since I don't have the Xenon lights, certain electical events do cause a very small amount of flicker at idle. The A/C compressor and the electric power steering are the ones I've noticed.

From what I've experienced, the power assist in the '8 is a marvel. Essentially, it shuts down at speed. On one bumpy, tight corner nearby, I've noticed the effects of the sensor-based system which provides instantaneous increase to counter bumps which would normally change your course.

In theory, our electric system should be more reliable than traditional hydraulic systems since there's nothing to leak and no belts to break or slip. I wonder if any other Japanese makers have used it yet in a larger scale production car.

If you mess with the EPS you may set a code only the dealer can remove (though you can do it by disconnecting the battery for a while). The car is quite sensitive to EPS problems (and rightly so, I guess).

Gordon, from what I've heard, steering in a parking lot without EPS doesn't just get "hard", it gets near impossible. ;)

It's those crazy 18" wheels, I guess.

What Gord96BRG sez. Man, the guy does his homework! Anyway, after just reading this thread today, I started the car and began backing up with the front wheels turned about 2/3 of the way toward lock, (the engine was warm as I was in the midst of running errands) I saw the dreaded steering warning light on the instrument panel. And yes, the steering wheel was quite a bit more difficult to turn in the parking lot. (felt like my first gen!)

I turned out of the lot and drove about a mile until I hit a a red light, and I shut off the engine, and re-started it right away. Ahh, back to normal steering. I think the computer just freaked out (Windows ME?)

I know if the steering wheel is turned a lot when the car is stationary the power to it shuts down to protect the motor, but the temp. was -9F, and I hadn't turned it much. Anyway, the steering without power felt fine but a little firmer at 40 mph, so I'm sure the lack of power assist would have been barely noticeable at highway speeds.