Mini Cooper steering probe may signal industry-wide issue (Electric power steering)

[sonomak]

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2010-09-28-min-cooper-nhtsa-probe_N.htm

Mini Cooper steering probe may signal industry-wide issue
By James R. Healey, USA TODAY

BMW's iconic Mini brand is under federal investigation because power steering on as many as 80,000 2004 and 2005 Mini Cooper models could fail — the latest in a rising tide of steering-related problems. It also could be harbinger of a deluge of future steering complaints as automakers overhaul the most basic control system on a car, often making it feel unfamiliar, in a quest for the last one-tenth of a mile per gallon in fuel economy.

The probe by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, begun Friday and disclosed Tuesday, cites 54 complaints and "a confidential number of field reports" from Mini about sudden and unexpected loss of power-steering assist. That makes the car hard to steer and could cause the driver to lose control...

Automakers are switching to electric motors instead of hydraulic pumps to provide power-steering assist. Electric power-steering systems (EPS) can add 0.1 of a mpg, or more, by eliminating drag on the engine caused by hydraulic pumps. But EPS is hard to tune to make it feel similar to the age-old hydraulic systems. It can seem numb or too light to drivers. Mechanical systems often give warning — harsh sounds, for example — of imminent failure. EPS systems, "when they fail, they fail completely," says Jesse Toprak, vice president at auto researcher TrueCar.com.

NHTSA says that since about 2006, it has "seen an increase in investigations of vehicles equipped with electric power steering." It's unclear, though, if that's because EPS is inherently troublesome or simply is more common, the agency says. Champion says, "We'll see more issues where the steering system feels vague" as carmakers eliminate normal, slightly off-center, alignment of tires and steering. That customary "toe-in" or "toe-out" of tires improves steering response, but uses slightly more energy than when tires are aligned straight. "We have an overwhelming number of steering cases this year," Toprak says, most involving EPS...

[Redstone]

1. I've always had doubts about electric power steering. Guess I was right.

Redstone

[physioex]

2. Doesn't matter....

The problem is manufactures implement technolgy on a mass scale without the rigors of testing. AKA throttle by wire on Toyotas. But like it or not, the technology will be perfected and head in that direction. On an individual level, I suppose the trick would be to hang on to your older car until the technology gets furthur perfected.

[Fumesucker]

3. With hydraulic power steering if the engine shuts off you lose your power assist..

That is not so with electric power steering which will continue to work from the battery in case of engine shut down.

Run out of gas in you car with hydraulic power steering and the assist goes away, I'd be surprised if that's not more common than electric power steering failure.

[TexasProgresive]

4. I own a Saturn Vue with electric power assist steering

I don't understand why cars the size of mine and especially the Mini have any power assist, it's just not necessary.

[Redstone]

5. Good point. People have gotten too lazy. Even a car the size of mine

(a Volvo C70 convertible) would be just fine (for me) with a helluva lot less boost in the steering. As my Uncle Tom once told me: "I have your power steering right here," pointing to his forearm.

Redstone