Advanced Driving Hub

ChristianAB wrote:

Astraist wrote:many modern steering system are too far below that point, because they have to accomodate a wide range of drivers, some (most) of which might not be positioned close enough to the wheel to exert enough force on it.

How easy would it be for cars to have steering set-up that can be modulated, at the push of a button, to suit a wider range of preferences? I need to research the topic more, especially on hydraulics vs electric trade-offs, but it strikes me as odd that if a 120Kg rugbyman and his 55Kg sister drive the same car, they should somehow find a way to be happy with the same controls.

jont- wrote:

ChristianAB wrote:But enough said. I guess I should just sell an organ then buy a lotus, any lotus, and shut up and enjoy this disappearing delicacy that is a truly talkative steering wheel.

Or a caterham. Although until you fix things, that produces an excess of bump steer that makes the car somewhat unpleasant (especially on Fen roads) It's not much use if you can't feel the important bits for all the inane chatter going on.

As well as the caterham, I have a Clio which has EPS. Yes, it has light steering. No, it doesn't bump around the way the caterham does. However it's still perfectly possible to feel how much/little grip the car has. But I think you do need to develop a degree of sensitivity to what's going on as Astraist has said. A couple of years ago I would have sided with Christian, but having spent a relatively small amount of time with Don Palmer it has helped me develop my feel a bit more.

Astraist wrote:One trick that helps get an idea as to the ease of touch, is to actually use just a couple of fingers to operate the steering wheel, ideally around a closed piece of tarmac or at least an empty road.

It's not that the grip is more efficient. Clearly it isn't because you have less mechanical grip on the wheel and less leverage, but you also tend not to exert as much force on it so the signal-to-noise ratio improves.

Once the concept of an ease of touch is engrained, one can resort back to a power grip. I also exert leverage on the spokes with the thumbs which usually helps maintain the grip with less grip tension in the forearms.

TheInsanity1234 wrote:I believe a lot of Fiats come with a "city steering" mode which is where the steering assistance is ramped up to make the steering much lighter so parallel parking is made easier, amongst various other scenarios.

Horse wrote:Indeed. A friend with a Punto called it her 'Girlie steering' switch

Allied with great awareness of the size of her car, she could park in almost inconceivably small spaces.

GTR1400MAN wrote:

Horse wrote:Indeed. A friend with a Punto called it her 'Girlie steering' switch

Allied with great awareness of the size of her car, she could park in almost inconceivably small spaces.

While killing her tyres and steering components. But then, these small family hatchback/city cars are almost seen as disposable white goods nowadays with the majority bought on purchase plans (effectively long term rental)... also explains all the parking door dings in MY car's doors as people just don't care.

TheInsanity1234 wrote:I would've thought that as long she's not dry steering, no harm is being done to the steering components and tyres.

If she is dry steering, then I'm afraid you'll probably find that the damage it causes is so minor that it'd take 10 years of constant dry steering before it wears out the power steering systems.