Electric Steering
- Thread starter LubeOiler
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Friend of mine, his Saturn Ion has this. Had a problem with it a few months ago, some circuit fried - Thank God it was under warranty. Except for that, It's been fine.
For Toyota, all 1.5L and below vehicles have electric power steering. Definately not as reliable as the hydraulic counterpart. I've seen one fairly new 1.5L corolla sitting in a workshop waiting for its replacement electric steering circuit board to arrive from Japan.
I believe the Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, Chevy Cobalt, '05 Volkswagen Jetta, Saturn Vue, Chevy Equinox, and GM's 1500 Quadra Steer (rear) have the electric assist steering, too.
First generation GM units ('03 Ion) were 'querky' for lack of a better term. Most manf's have a good grip on the system, now, and it is eaiser to tune, that is adjust boost from model to model and drivng speed.
Just think of all the hoses, seals, fluid, pump, rack, etc... done away with. Oh, but better up-size that alternator and battery!
First generation GM units ('03 Ion) were 'querky' for lack of a better term. Most manf's have a good grip on the system, now, and it is eaiser to tune, that is adjust boost from model to model and drivng speed.
Just think of all the hoses, seals, fluid, pump, rack, etc... done away with. Oh, but better up-size that alternator and battery!
My 1991 Subaru XT6 has electric assist steering. It was standard on all XT6s. It's a very good and reliable system. No quirks, nothing funny. About the worst that happens to these is the electric motor brushes might need to be cleaned (or you can just replace them). My 14-year-old car with a low 103,000 miles has never had steering troubles since I bought it a few years ago.
It's not the same as pure electric, though. It simply uses an electric motor to power the hydraulic pump rather than direct electric movement. It still saves energy, though, because you're only turning the steering pump when it needs to be turned, and only as fast as it needs to based on steering boost required.
It's not the same as pure electric, though. It simply uses an electric motor to power the hydraulic pump rather than direct electric movement. It still saves energy, though, because you're only turning the steering pump when it needs to be turned, and only as fast as it needs to based on steering boost required.
I rad a while back that vehicles will be going to 24 volt systems in the future.
Many a moon ago, I had a friend that had a Firebird I believe it was that had 'drive by wire' or the electric steering. This was in the very early 90's in fact. I never got to see the car so I dont know for fact it had the electric steering. I dont know all the facts, but as I understand it the steering failed and my friend had a bad accident and was injured pretty bad. He won a law suit against GM (I guess one could say who hasnt) and I never heard of the drive by wire system again until a co-worker bought a Malibu Maxx and told me it had a drive by wire system with force feedback. He hasnt had any problems with it.
I too have read a few articles that automobiles are supposed to be transitioning to a more powerful voltage system.
I too have read a few articles that automobiles are supposed to be transitioning to a more powerful voltage system.
40 something volts.
42 volts. Apparently arcing at electrical connectors is much more of a problem with the higher voltage.
I think the Fiero had the electric pump too. But today's system are typical racks, connected to the steering wheel, however the ram is an (linear?) electric motor, not hydraulic.
Electric steering should raise HP....i think?
GM has had quite a few of the Malibu electric steering units fail. Most during warranty. I'd hate to see what that would cost out of warranty. Sounds like the latest successor to the intake manifold gasket debacle.
Give me a hydraulic system every time. I think they still have a better feel and are very reliable.
Give me a hydraulic system every time. I think they still have a better feel and are very reliable.
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Actually, VW and Audi have in recent years said they plan on putting fly-by-wire steering into cars. The biggest benefits will be the lack of a potentially dangerous steering column and saving space. Personally, I wouldn't trust it. I want a mechanical linkage.
The BMW Z4 has Electric steering assist, but a standard clolumn to rack interface(collapsable). . IT took a little getting used to becasue it is actually more powerfull than the hydraulic PS counterpart and the feedback is well.vague.
Anyone remember playing those video games at the arcade with the sterring wheel that returned to center but didn't have any feedback? That's what it feels like.. You turn hard..HOLD on! The car turns QUICK, no progreessive feedback... I am just glad it sticks to the road.
After some time I have actually grwon more sensitive to the feel of it and take whatever feedback I get seriously lest my rear end pass up the front. I am now fond of it.
Anyone remember playing those video games at the arcade with the sterring wheel that returned to center but didn't have any feedback? That's what it feels like.. You turn hard..HOLD on! The car turns QUICK, no progreessive feedback... I am just glad it sticks to the road.
After some time I have actually grwon more sensitive to the feel of it and take whatever feedback I get seriously lest my rear end pass up the front. I am now fond of it.
My son's Honda S2000 has full electric power steering. It just feels like a good responsive steering system with good feedback.
Of course there are going to be some development pains when introducing a new technology, especially when introducing it on a cheaper high-volume car like a Malibu. Heck, Ford hydraulic PS systems were not trouble free clear up to the 1990's, the famous "whine".
Getting rid of hydraulic systems save space, weight, horsepower and potential leaks as well as eliminate a lubrication service point.
The Boeing 787 airliner will replace a lot of hydraulic and air-bleed systems with electric ones for the same reasons.
42 volts is about as high as you can go without risk of electric shock to humans. The reason for higher voltage is to reduce current (amps), decreasing the weight of wire, motors, alternator, etc.
Getting rid of hydraulic systems save space, weight, horsepower and potential leaks as well as eliminate a lubrication service point.
The Boeing 787 airliner will replace a lot of hydraulic and air-bleed systems with electric ones for the same reasons.
42 volts is about as high as you can go without risk of electric shock to humans. The reason for higher voltage is to reduce current (amps), decreasing the weight of wire, motors, alternator, etc.
Not "raise it" per say as you don't gain HP, but just free up what was being used to turn the pump before.
Never seen or driven one but I think it would be nice.
As I understand it, "drive-by-wire" is a system used only in the largest aircraft/ships that has no direct connection between the controls and the rudders/ things being controlled. Midsize airplanes on down have a direct hydraulic connection that still works, with more effort, if power assist is lost.
The cars with electric steering simply have electric power assist. The column is still directly connected to the rack, and wheels, and will work albeit with more effort if the car is turned off.
The only exception is those rear-wheel-steering trucks but their front wheels are still steered the normal way.
The cars with electric steering simply have electric power assist. The column is still directly connected to the rack, and wheels, and will work albeit with more effort if the car is turned off.
The only exception is those rear-wheel-steering trucks but their front wheels are still steered the normal way.
Kestas
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Our company has a prototype vehicle called FILO (Italian for "wire"), which highlights the use of by-wire driving. Three functions are featured with by-wire technology..... throttle, steering, and braking.
It also uses 42v to power this technology. It can't do it with 12v.... in fact we are nearly at the practical limit right now with 12v technology on present-day cars to power all the goodies we like.
The FILO car has no pedals. Throttling is done at the modified steering wheel, much like a motorcycle. Braking is done by squeezing the grips. The car can go from LHD to RHD by simply swinging the steering unit over to the other side.
It also uses 42v to power this technology. It can't do it with 12v.... in fact we are nearly at the practical limit right now with 12v technology on present-day cars to power all the goodies we like.
The FILO car has no pedals. Throttling is done at the modified steering wheel, much like a motorcycle. Braking is done by squeezing the grips. The car can go from LHD to RHD by simply swinging the steering unit over to the other side.
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