steering control

[Postville]

If the motor quits on a 2010 Jetta, is there still steering? Someone told me it is electronic controlled steering. Bob

 

[Ol'Rattler]

Not absolutely sure, but I think that the TDI's never went back to the hydralic steering like the gassers did. If you do not have a power steering reservoir, then you have electro-mechanical steering.

With electro-mechanical steering, you can turn the engine off on a downhill and the steering will work until about 3 MPH.

 

[sgoldste01]

Maybe I'm wearing rose-colored glasses and the glass is half full, but I can't believe that any auto manufacturer would design a steering system that provides no functionality without the engine running. Having an engine stop while the car is in motion (due to failure, running out of fuel, or whatever) is just too likely of a scenario, and there's no way the manufacturer would leave the operator with zero control of the vehicle in that situation.

Yes, the steering wheel will likely require extra muscle when turning, but it's got to provide some fundamental control over the vehicle.

Right?

 

[kjclow]

Should be that as long as the key is still in the on position, you should have electrical power from the battery for steering.

 

[B25guy]

You will always have steering control, engine running or not, key in ignition position or not (as long as you don't remove the key...it'll most definitely lock the steering). I routinely move my JSW in my driveway after turning the key to the first click (not ignition on, so assist is off) and steer it quite handily reaching through the window.

Marc

 

[kjclow]

Kind of hard to do with the DSG though.

 

[Ol'Rattler]

Maybe I'm wearing rose-colored glasses and the glass is half full, but I can't believe that any auto manufacturer would design a steering system that provides no functionality without the engine running. Having an engine stop while the car is in motion (due to failure, running out of fuel, or whatever) is just too likely of a scenario, and there's no way the manufacturer would leave the operator with zero control of the vehicle in that situation.

Yes, the steering wheel will likely require extra muscle when turning, but it's got to provide some fundamental control over the vehicle.

Right?

Well, that is the real beauty of Electro-Mechanical steering.

Unlike a hydraulic system, if the engine quits, the steering assist is 100% functional. The steering does not get harder to turn if the engine quits and even if you turn the key off, the steering controller remains operational until the cars speed drops to something like 3 MPH.

With any steering system, the primary steering control is mechanical with hydraulic or electric providing steering assist.

With a hydraulic system, if the hydraulics stop working, the system still functions mechanically, however the force required to steer is harder.

 

[Ol'Rattler]

Kind of hard to do with the DSG though.

Huh? What does a DSG have to do with steering function?

Oh I gotcha. With a DSG, to move it without the engine running, you would just turn the key on and put the trans in N. No problem that I can see.

 

[specsalot]

Think electronic steering is scary? Earlier this century I was in a BMW motorcycle dealer. Chatting up the salesmen picking up my bike after service. Discussions moved to my 93 K1100RS and the electro-hydraulic ABS fitted to the motorcycle. A top notch system that pulsed brake pressure by modulating (electric motor driven positive displacement hydraulic pumps) control volumes within the hydraulic brake circuits.

Salesman said the new BMW's had that beat. The brakes were 'electronic'. With the key off the brake lever went 'right to the rubber' on the handle bar. I was floored. Anyone with a new BMW with ABS tell me this ain't so.

 

[Ol'Rattler]

That is amazing. Things like brakes and steering should always be primarily mechanical in my mind.................

 

[B25guy]

Steering and brakes in cars is nearly as important as primary flight controls for small and mid-sized airplanes and helicopters...boost is good for reducing pilot workload but you'd better be able to get it down (pulled over in terms of cars) with no power and the accumulators have given their all.

With the exception of large commercial aircraft and modern fighter jets, I'm certain it will be decades before we see "fly-by-wire" proliferate and certainly not on our roads (throttle excluded).