What are the symptoms of a damaged power steering pump in a Vios?
2 Answers
Vios uses electric power steering and does not have a power steering pump. Power steering mainly assists the driver in adjusting the direction of the car, reducing the effort required to turn the steering wheel. It also plays a role in the safety and fuel economy of the car. Causes of power steering pump noise: 1. Oil leakage in the power steering pump, leading to low oil level, which causes noise when turning the steering wheel; 2. Poor lubrication of the power steering pump when the engine is cold, leading to internal wear and resulting in noise; 3. Loose installation of the power steering pump, causing noise during operation. The exterior dimensions of the Vios are 4435mm in length, 1700mm in width, and 1490mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2550mm.
Recently when I was driving my Vios, the power steering pump failed and the steering wheel suddenly became extremely heavy, like moving bricks when turning, requiring full body strength to pull. The car also kept making a buzzing noise, giving me a headache, and parking became even more difficult, almost causing a scrape. The mechanic said it was due to power steering fluid leakage or internal pump wear causing insufficient hydraulic pressure, and advised me to regularly check the fluid level and top it up if low. Continuing to drive with heavy steering can easily lead to fatigued driving, and lane changes on the highway become slower, increasing the danger significantly. Don’t skip this small check during regular maintenance—if the steering gear gets damaged as well, repairs will be much more expensive. Safety should always come first when driving.
