What Causes the Steering Wheel to Become Stiff on Rainy Days?
2 Answers
Car steering wheel becomes stiff on rainy days due to the following reasons: Power steering pump: If the steering wheel uses vacuum-assisted steering, the stiffness may be caused by a damaged power steering pump. Steering wheel: The steering wheel automatically locks. This situation does not occur every time the vehicle is started. Generally, after starting the car with the key, the steering wheel naturally unlocks. The automatic locking of the steering wheel is a simple anti-theft feature. Sometimes, when parking, the steering wheel is positioned at a certain angle, and this angle happens to allow only the key to turn for ignition without unlocking, resulting in this situation. Oil leakage: The steering wheel may suddenly become tight and almost impossible to turn. After turning off the engine and restarting, the issue may disappear automatically. This could be due to air not being completely purged from the system after an oil leak. If the pump operates for a long time without sufficient oil, it can lead to severe wear and reduce the performance of the steering system. As long as there is no wear, the fluid level is sufficient, and there is no air in the system, the steering system should function normally.
That day it was pouring rain, and as I was driving home, I noticed the steering wheel felt extremely heavy, as if stuck in mud—no matter how hard I turned it, it wouldn’t budge. It was truly frightening. The issue might have been rainwater seeping into the steering system, increasing resistance in the power steering pump or gears, or the tires slipping on the wet road, affecting responsiveness. In such a situation, I would first pull over to check if there were any foreign objects or water buildup in the tires while also inspecting whether the power steering fluid was at the proper level. Over time, maintenance is crucial—aging seals in the steering system can easily let water in, and driving slower in rainy conditions is key to avoiding accidents on curves. But that’s not all—steering malfunctions in rainy or foggy weather double the risk, as poor visibility combined with loss of control significantly increases the chance of an accident. So, getting the power steering and chassis components checked by a professional shop promptly is essential—don’t wait for a minor issue to turn into a major problem.