What are the reasons for the heavy steering wheel of Honda Civic?
2 Answers
The main reasons for the heavy steering wheel of Honda Civic are dirty power steering fluid and repeatedly turning the steering wheel while stationary or at low speeds. Dirty power steering fluid can cause the steering wheel to feel heavy, and a lack of power steering fluid can also lead to a heavier steering wheel. If the issue is related to the power steering fluid, it should be promptly topped up or replaced. Repeatedly turning the steering wheel while stationary or at low speeds places a significant load on the power steering system, which can cause the steering gear to overheat and enter a protective mode, resulting in heavy steering. This condition usually returns to normal after cooling down, which is a normal phenomenon. The solutions for a heavy car steering wheel are as follows: Top up the hydraulic power steering fluid; replace the circuit fuse; replace the flat bearing and add grease to the kingpin; increase the lubrication of the steering tie rod ball joint. The steering wheel is a wheel-shaped device used to control the direction of cars, ships, and airplanes. Its function is to convert the force applied by the driver to the edge of the steering wheel into torque and then transmit it to the steering column. Steering wheels are mainly categorized into single-spoke, double-spoke, three-spoke, and four-spoke types. Their working principle involves transmitting torque to the rack-and-pinion mechanism, thereby pushing the wheels to turn left or right.
After driving a Civic for several years, I've found that a heavier steering wheel usually has several possible causes. The most common issue is with the power steering system—it could be due to insufficient or deteriorated power steering fluid, or an electric power steering pump not functioning properly. Last time my car had this issue, inspection revealed a leaking hose connection causing fluid loss. Additionally, insufficient tire pressure can make steering more strenuous, especially when tire pressure drops significantly in cold weather—it's good to keep a tire pressure gauge handy for regular checks. Problems with the steering mechanism itself are also not uncommon, such as worn or loose steering linkage ball joints, or aged/cracked lower control arm bushings—any issues with these chassis components can affect steering feel. When encountering such situations, it's best not to force driving as it may damage more components.
