Does Turning the Steering Wheel While the Car is Stationary Damage the Vehicle?
3 Answers
Turning the steering wheel while the car is stationary can damage the vehicle. Rotating the steering wheel when the car is not moving not only places a significant load on the steering system but also causes considerable wear and tear on the tires, making it a behavior that is considered harmful to the car. Below is an introduction to relevant content about steering wheel usage: Precautions for Turning the Steering Wheel: When turning the steering wheel, it's advisable to turn more and return more, or turn less and return less; the speed of returning the steering wheel should be quick and accurately back to position. Avoid applying excessive force when the steering wheel is about to reach its limit, as this can easily damage mechanical components. When driving in hazardous mountainous areas or on poor road surfaces, always grip the steering wheel with both hands to prevent accidents. Try to avoid turning the steering wheel while the vehicle is stationary. Reasons to Avoid Turning the Steering Wheel While Stationary: Turning the steering wheel while the car is stationary means that part of the tire tread is in direct friction with the ground. Due to the camber angle set for the front wheels, the inner side of the tire tilts inward when the steering wheel is turned (the outer side forms a negative camber angle, and the inner side forms a positive camber angle). In such conditions, the tires alone bear the weight of the vehicle, which can also cause significant damage to the tires.
I can relate to this issue deeply. I used to think that turning the steering wheel while stationary was no big deal until one time during maintenance, the mechanic pointed out that my power steering hose was leaking. He explained that when the car isn't moving, the tires and the ground are like glued together, forcing the steering gear to exert maximum effort to turn, putting two to three times the normal pressure on the hydraulic power steering pump. Over time, it's like asking you to lift dumbbells to your limit every day—it's bound to cause damage. Now, I always let the car move slightly before turning the wheel. Not only does the steering feel much lighter this way, but the precision components in the steering system also last longer.
As a veteran driver with nearly twenty years of experience, it pains me to see novices struggling with steering in parking lots. When you turn the steering wheel while the car is stationary, you can hear the strained sound from the steering system—this is damaging the power steering. Especially with many new cars now equipped with electric power steering, although not as delicate as hydraulic pumps, the motor's overheating protection will frequently activate. Additionally, the tires suffer as the rubber is forcibly twisted in a fixed position, accelerating the aging and cracking of the tread edges. I remember a friend whose steering gear failed prematurely because of this, costing over three thousand in repairs.
