Can You Continue Driving When the EPS Light Is On?
4 Answers
The EPS light on indicates a malfunction in the vehicle's Electric Power Steering system. In this situation, you should safely pull over as soon as possible and have the issue diagnosed at the nearest repair shop. Unlike hydraulic power steering systems that use hydraulic pumps, lines, and steering column valve bodies, electric power steering systems directly transmit motor-generated assistance to the steering system through a reducer using pure mechanical means. The working principle of electric power steering is: when the vehicle starts, the system activates. At speeds below a certain threshold, signals are sent to the control module, which then issues commands to the servo motor based on steering wheel torque, turning direction, and vehicle speed data. The servo motor outputs corresponding torque magnitude and direction to provide steering assistance. When not steering, the ECU doesn't send torque signals to the servo motor, causing its current to approach zero.
I've been driving for decades and once encountered the EPS warning light turning on while on the highway. The steering wheel suddenly became very heavy, requiring tremendous effort to turn, and I almost veered out of my lane. That moment made me realize that the EPS system is the core of electronic power steering—when the light comes on, it indicates a fault, possibly due to a damaged sensor, broken wiring, or module issues. Continuing to drive would only worsen the problem, making steering increasingly difficult and raising the risk of losing control during turns—it's essentially gambling with your life. My advice is to pull over immediately, turn off the engine, and contact a professional repair shop for towing and inspection. Safety comes first—never ignore this small light, as it signals significant risks. Regular maintenance of the steering system, such as checking connections and lubrication, can help prevent similar failures.
From my understanding of cars, the EPS warning light is like an emergency signal from the body. Electric Power Steering helps with easy steering, and when the light comes on, it means the assist function has failed. Common causes include sensor failure, motor overheating, or short circuits in the wiring. If you insist on continuing to drive, steering will become very difficult, especially in crowded areas or sharp turns, making it hard to control the direction and increasing the risk of a crash. This isn't an issue you can delay fixing—it's best to stop and use an OBD scanner to read the fault codes for a preliminary diagnosis, or drive directly to a repair shop. Ignoring it could damage the entire system, leading to higher repair costs. During daily driving, pay attention to unusual steering noises or vibrations—early inspection can help avoid bigger problems.
The first thing I did after buying a car was learning basic troubleshooting. Never keep driving when the EPS light is on—it signals a steering system issue. Once illuminated, power steering may fail, making the wheel as heavy as a rock and impossible to turn, drastically increasing accident risks. Start by checking simple spots yourself, like blown fuses or loose connectors, but these are only temporary fixes for short distances. For safety, the best move is to pull over and head to the nearest repair shop for diagnosis—don’t hesitate. Ignoring this fault carries far greater hidden dangers than imagined.
