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Steering effort

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by yibo829, May 1, 2015.

  1. yibo829

    yibo829 Junior Member

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    I've noticed that steering effort changes with the road surfaces. When I'm on a non-paved surface, the steering effort is much lighter than on a paved road. The same when the road is wet or on grass, the steering is not heavy.
    On regular streets I find the steering to be a little heavy, requiring too much effort to turn, especially when in parking lots or dry steering. The Chevy Cruze I drove required very little steering effort, it's one of those turn using one finger type.

    Did anyone else notice the changes in steering effort with different road surfaces?


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    #1 yibo829, May 1, 2015
  2. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    This is pretty typical for any car. The only reason you don't feel it on Cruize b/c it is so light.
     
    #2 cyclopathic, May 1, 2015
  3. yibo829

    yibo829 Junior Member

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    Chevy Cruze weighs more than the Prius actually.


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    #3 yibo829, May 1, 2015
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You need to drive another Prius and compare the difference. This is all subjective.
     
    #4 JC91006, May 1, 2015
  5. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    The XBOX-360 steering is one of the things that I love to hate about the Prius, and the Prius system is twitchier than it needs to be and it leaves the driver almost completely disconnected from the road.
    However (comma!) this isn't a Prius-only thing, and as JC91006 pointed out above, steering is very subjective.
    Handling isn't one of the things that Priuses are lauded for..... ;)

    Electric vs. Hydraulic Steering: A Comprehensive Comparison Test - Feature - Car and Driver
     
    #5 ETC(SS), May 1, 2015
  6. tanglefoot

    tanglefoot Whee!

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    Hmm...I hadn't noticed. I find the steering effort to be pretty light on all surfaces. I saw somewhere where someone modified the electric assist (with a variable resistor, I believe) to increase effort and feel. I wouldn't want to put more stress on the steering shaft, myself.
     
    #6 tanglefoot, May 1, 2015
  7. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    One of the cars I learned to drive on had old style manual steering. My first car frequently suffered engine stalls, causing its power steering to revert to manual steering. And several farm machines I still operate in summer lack power steering.

    So, no, I've never noticed my Prius 'requiring too much effort to turn'.

    Have you had the steering checked to see if the power assist is still functioning? With the car parked, is it easier to turn the wheel when ignition is 'Ready' than when all power is turned off?
     
    #7 fuzzy1, May 1, 2015
  8. yibo829

    yibo829 Junior Member

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    Oh yes. It is definitely easier to turn the steering wheel with the car in ready. I'm sure the car's power steering is still working but just not as light as I want it to be.


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    #8 yibo829, May 1, 2015
  9. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You've done the steering shaft recall right?
     
    #9 JC91006, May 1, 2015
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what are your tyres pressure at?
     
    #10 bisco, May 1, 2015
  11. yibo829

    yibo829 Junior Member

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    Yes. The steering shaft recall has been done.
    And my tire pressure is at 32 front and 30 rear. I purposely set them that way for a more cushy ride.


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    #11 yibo829, May 1, 2015
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that may be it. try them at 42/40 for comparison.
     
    #12 bisco, May 1, 2015
  13. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    Light steering
     
    #13 cyclopathic, May 1, 2015
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