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It can improve, And already is. It's easier to design too much 'boost' into an EPS motor assist than into conventional(hydraulic). I've driven some recent EPS examples, and while the steering is light, it no longer needs constant corrections to keep centered down the road.
I just drive my man as long as my car goes were I want it that's all I care about. I've driven every type of steering, I was driving electric steering on hilos before cars had it. I've driven manual steering cars in the early 70's then the old power steering cars in the late 70's and 80's, to power assist rack and pinion when it first came out. So steering doesn't excite mee it's just a car.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by easy62
I just drive my man as long as my car goes were I want it that's all I care about. I've driven every type of steering, I was driving electric steering on hilos before cars had it. I've driven manual steering cars in the early 70's then the old power steering cars in the late 70's and 80's, to power assist rack and pinion when it first came out. So steering doesn't excite mee it's just a car.
So answer this: If you were given the opportunity to drive 4 different cars, two recent ones, two from 30, 50 years ago, one maybe a sport coupe, a minivan, a big sedan, and a smaller sedan, you are saying you wouldn't feel any differences in the way they all steered?
So answer this: If you were given the opportunity to drive 4 different cars, two recent ones, two from 30, 50 years ago, one maybe a sport coupe, a minivan, a big sedan, and a smaller sedan, you are saying you wouldn't feel any differences in the way they all steered?
Sure I would feel the difference but I would not get excited about it, I would just drive steering is just steering as long as I can turn the wheel I don't care what type of steering it is. I don't get excited about cars of today unless they are retro cars like the muscle cars of the 70's my time period when I was a 18
older BMWs used to have a nice feeling when steering was hydraulic, now with electrical power it is way too soft...
I know higher end cars have an adjustable steering control by software, but it is not as real as the old hydraulic one.
My preference would be lots of help at speeds under 20-30 mph but no help much above that. (Depends greatly, however, on the weight of the vehicle and size of tires.) For my first new pickup that I ordered in 1968, I ordered non-power steering. It was great on the road, not so good in the parking lot, etc. My wife struggled with it, as parking did require a little muscle. I think I also had an '85 Toyota pickup and a '78 Porsche 924 without P.S., but most everything has had P.S.
I think power steering is more apt to get you into trouble, as it's too easy to yank on the wheel at 80 mph (to miss a deer, for example), and find yourself sideways and out of control, all set up for leaving the roadway and rolling. I hit a deer with my Prius last year while driving 80 mph on the interstate. (It actually hit me, but it was close.) I didn't yank on the wheel much because I've told myself over and over not to, but after I hit it and slowed some, then looked around and saw no traffic, I yanked just a little to see how it would handle. I mean, I was maybe at 40-50 mph at that point, and I was glad I didn't turn any harder as it got squirrelly real quick. But I love how the Prius handles in town. I voted the no. 2 answer.
Road feedback? I've never noticed that it matters much. Good tires properly inflated and a good, not-too-soft suspension provides most of the feel for me.
I've got a theory about this. Its like coffee. If you ask 10 people what they want in a cup of coffee, they will tell you a rich, bold dark taste. If you give them a confidential taste test they prefer milky and sweet.
So it is with steering. People say they want heavy, planted steering and a planted performance suspension, but for everyday driving, I think they'd take something that steers a lot lighter most of the time.
I'm crazy particular about steering in my cars. It'll literally make-it-or-break-it on a decision to buy a car.
I like very direct response without feeling darty on highway. Weight should make sense for the speed. Low speed should be heavier and get lighter at speed, get heavier with G load in corners linearly, and light when experiencing understeer. A bit of road vibration is welcome too.
Too many flexy bits, and too much power steering boost ruins steering. Many American cars, and Japanese brands like Lexus cater to the crowd that don't want to be reminded they're driving.
I've also driven a ton of cars, and have track experience. Of sportier cars I've either owned or had significant seat time in, here's how I rank them, from best to worst:
Lotus Elise/Exige (by a lot)
987 Cayman S
Mitsubushi Evo VIII
997 911 Carrera S
Porsche 944
996 911 Carrera 4S
E46 M3 Competition
958.1 Cayenne S
Acura NSX (3.0)
MK5 Volkswagen GTI
Nissan 350Z
C5 Corvette Z06
FD3S Mazda RX7
Audi S5 V8
E92 M3
E90 328
Honda S2000
C6 Corvette Z06
C6 Corvette Z51
2006 WRX STi
F30 328i
MK4 Toyota Supra Turbo
Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4
5th Gen Camaro SS
I found that after driving on the track and autocross and really learning how to drive, the car communicating and giving feedback suddenly became really important in a practical/objective way. On the street, it just feels oh so good.
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Stylo wrote:
"I like very direct response without feeling darty on
highway. Weight should make sense for the speed.
Low speed should be heavier and get lighter at speed,
get heavier with G load in corners linearly, and light
when experiencing understeer. A bit of road vibration
is welcome too. "
I'm the oppsosite: Low speed(parking lots) lighter(more assist), and progressively heavier(less assist) and higher speeds.
"Road vibration"? That's what a small dose of scrub radius is desireable for.
I prefer heavy steering. I don't like manual steering, but prefer an power hydraulic rack with assist for low speed parking with wide tires, but have a heavy feel on the highway. I also prefer a 15:1 ratio or about 2.25-2.5 turns lock to lock.
I have a couple older cars that I've installed modified racks into to achieve this feel. My new car with EPS actually does impress me by not having an overly boosted feel. Fairly heavy on the highway and not twitchy at all. I'm actually fairly satisfied with it given my disdain for EPS.
As for ease of self-centering, just dial in more caster on the front suspension provided you can find a shop willing to stray from the OEM specs. It really helps with centering the wheel after a turn and tracking perfectly straight at highway speeds. I find some OEM's don't dial in enough.
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