2009 Vibe - Electric Power Steering

[jake75]

There are apparently a couple of other reasons to be wary of electric power steering - safety and repair costs. The Bob & Ray Car Talk column in today's newspaper reports on the electric power steering going out abruptly on a 2003 Toyota Prius. A lot more difficult to steer manually than if hydraulic power steering fails, and the repair cost was $2,000.

[WaveAction]

ya i never did like the electric power steering..such as the torrents and stuff..dont like them

[scooter]

Like them or not, EPAS is here to stay. They are more efficient - improve fuel economy slightly, take up less space, are more environmentally friendly (eliminate hydraulic fluid in addition to fuel economy) and *should* be more reliable than the old hydraulic systems (less complex, less moving parts).

[ColonelPanic]

I haven't driven anything with EPS but I always hear how people complain about how artificial the steering feels. Although I really haven't noticed a "feeling" in the steering in anything I drive, I just turn the wheel. Those complainers better get used to it since I don't see this technology going away. One cool thing about it though, if you're a hypermiler you can engine off coast to your heart's desire without losing assist. (removed)!Once it becomes more commonplace, I would say repair costs will probably drop and reliability will no doubt increase.

[WaveAction]

well the only thing i dont like is the response to it..like my dads torrent..i gotta turn the wheel like 3 times to go around a 90 degree turn..where as my vibe..it's half a turn and im around the same corner..

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by WaveAction »well the only thing i dont like is the response to it..like my dads torrent..i gotta turn the wheel like 3 times to go around a 90 degree turn..where as my vibe..it's half a turn and im around the same corner..That has nothing to do with EPS. Don't forget, EPS does NOT replace the physical linkage between the steering column and the rack. It simply replaces HPS as the method of steering assist. If you have to turn the wheel 3 times in the torrent, that's gotta do with the ratios and gearing of the steering system, and not EPS.I have EPS in my G6, don't have any complaints. I actually like how I can control the car literally with a finger or two if I want. I guess I'm not a "true enthusiast" though to be able to detect the difference between the feel and feedback of EPS and HPS.

[WaveAction]

ohh gotcha..ok well i dont like how the torrents steer..feels like im turning a bus or something

[lowincash]

maybe the torrent has a wider turning circle that's why it takes more turns to turn. my current car is a 2002 maxima and it has a 40ft turning circle...i feel fat whenever i want to make a turn lol but when i test drove the vibe i loved how i'm able to turn with little effort. so maybe it's just the turning circle =/

[farles]

Having gone from a 2005 to a 2009 Vibe I can definitely tell the difference. At first, it felt really loose on centre at slow speeds, like there was a play in the steering. After driving it for a month now, I can see the benefits of this and the way in which the steering changes with speed and driving style. Not to drag this out, but the steering feels well assisted puttering around at slow speeds, backing up, parking, etc. When the car is being 'driven' it tightens up noticeably. Cruising along the highway it seems to loosen up again. I dont know all the ins and outs of how they engineered when the EPS works with more or less assistance, but in the real world it feels right.To me, nothing beats pure manual steering. My old MR2 Turbo was a great example. My dad has a 1980 Porsche that is a workout to drive, but the steering is so direct and responsive...unbeatable Fact is, these days, everything is going electronic and assisted...EPS, ABS, Stability Control, Traction Control, GPS, OnStar...soon we wont be driving at all

[ToolGuy]

You can always buy an extended warranty and make sure power steering is covered.

[dianebrat]

Quote, originally posted by farles »Fact is, these days, everything is going electronic and assisted...EPS, ABS, Stability Control, Traction Control, GPS, OnStar...soon we wont be driving at all you left out drive by wire.. I'm still not sure how I feel about it.. Diane

[JohnC]

Quote, originally posted by farles »To me, nothing beats pure manual steering. My old MR2 Turbo was a great example. My dad has a 1980 Porsche that is a workout to drive, but the steering is so direct and responsive...unbeatable Same here...they can keep all thier power robbing steering, especially on these small cars that are easy to turn anyway. Less stuff= less stiff to go wrong!

[Paragon]

Old thread but a lot of the feeling is the speed sensitive power steering. My Sable had it (VAPS Variable assist power steering).More force is needed the slower the car is moving so the power steering adjusts to compensate.One note is that yes there can be more issues that cause it to go out. A bad wheel speed sensor caused the PS to go out on the sable but a restart and I was able to drive fine (just no speedo)If you want a really bad turning car.. try a TP Cruiser.

[jake75]

I had a PT Cruiser - the turning radius was larger than expected but the handling was fine. My main issue with the PT was the gas mileage. The 1.8L Vibe has better/about the same responsiveness as the 2.4L PT Cruiser and the Vibe gets another 6 mpg overall. Also I had more faith that the Vibe would have better long term reliability.As for the 09 electric power steering, I think I preferred the hydraulic ps on my 2003 better but it's not that big a deal. I was also skeptical about the drive by wire - but again, I can live with it.All in all I think the 2009 is an improvement over the 2003. I was most concerned about being able to see out of the smaller windows but that has not really been an issue.

[Paragon]

I hear you on the windows in the rear. Hard to see at times when backing out.. but hey.. Ihad a Cooper ebfore that was way shorter with glass everywhere and a Sable sedan so of course I need to get used to the change a little.The steering is a little different. I do not recall what the Cooper had but the overall handling was better than the vibe.Don't get me wrong, the vibe actually handles fairly well (steering response is better than the Sable from what I can gather) Would be nice to have a little less body roll but it will be fine.

[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by WaveAction »well the only thing i dont like is the response to it..like my dads torrent..i gotta turn the wheel like 3 times to go around a 90 degree turn..where as my vibe..it's half a turn and im around the same corner..Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't they car speed variable? The faster you are moving the less you need to turn the wheel to turn the wheels the same amount? Going slow requires multiple times to turn the wheels than is required when going faster.Dave

[Old Tele man]

...2004 vs. 2009 power steering comparison:1) at SLOWER speeds (up to 45 mph) the 2009 electric p/s feels better than the 2004 hydraulic p/s...more responsive somehow.2) at HIGHWAY speeds (>45 mph) the 2004 hydraulic p/s wins "handsdown" for stability, because the 2009 electric p/s seems to constantly doing a single-plane version of a "Dutch Roll"...a back-n-forth rearend 'twitch' at speed, regardless of road surface...almost like the rear wheels don't want to EVER stay in a 'trailing' position exactly behind the front wheels.