Electric Power Steering

[TheGrandK-Man]

Originally Posted by snowtired14

The only difference between the two systems is, one uses a hydraulic motor to power assist, and one uses an electric motor. The main reason you'll feel the difference is that electric responds instantaneously and with hydraulic there is a latency from valves and application of pressure. So, that's why you feel a pull going through water, the hydraulic system needs time to react whereas the electric just amplifies the power to maintain the assist boost. They could boost the signal and over assist, and some car makers did, but it's a simple software fix if you don't like the feel. Drive by wire, where electric motors will actually turn the steering and your steering wheel is just a dial, are still further away, I think the Q50 tried it, but drivers hated it, but it's coming as we move to autonomous cars.

I seriously doubt most dime-a-dozen EPS systems installed on mass-produced cars constantly regulate the boost over minor road imperfections. Some are variable assist speed-sensitive: superboosted for parking lots under 20mph, and then gradually reduce assist from 20-40mph down to a nominal level of boost.

I'd say suspension design, and amount of boost either conventional or EPS provides, determines amount of road feel, far more than simply being electric steering. It's like saying digital audio sounds like crap just because it's digital. No: it sounds like crap because the mastering engineer was ordered to squash it and make it a loud hot mess for all the teeny-boppers who listen on pocket music players over ear-buds with the bandwidth of an antique telephone, on a bus full of screaming fellow students, or while mowing the lawn!

Same goes for Conventional vs EPS: #1 difference is level of assist designed in, purely comparing systems, and not including other factors like suspension design, tire pressures being correct, et al.