What does a steering wheel with an exclamation mark mean in a car?
2 Answers
An exclamation mark appearing on the steering wheel indicates the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) warning light, which should disappear immediately after the engine starts. The Electric Power Steering (EPS) system is a power steering system that directly relies on an electric motor to provide assistive torque. Compared to the traditional Hydraulic Power Steering (HPS) system, the EPS system offers many advantages. The EPS mainly consists of components such as a torque sensor, vehicle speed sensor, electric motor, reduction mechanism, and Electronic Control Unit (ECU). The Electric Power Steering system evolved from the traditional mechanical steering system. It utilizes power generated by an electric motor to assist the driver in steering operations. The system primarily consists of three major parts: signal sensing devices (including torque sensor, steering angle sensor, and vehicle speed sensor), steering assist mechanism (electric motor, clutch, reduction transmission mechanism), and electronic control device. The motor operates only when assistance is needed. When the driver manipulates the steering wheel, the torque and steering angle sensor generates corresponding voltage signals based on the input torque and steering angle. The vehicle speed sensor detects the speed signal, and the control unit issues commands to control the motor's operation based on the voltage and speed signals, thereby generating the required steering assistance.
Yesterday I drove to the countryside for an outing when suddenly a steering wheel with an exclamation mark icon lit up on the dashboard. Feeling nervous, I promptly pulled over to a safe spot by the roadside. After checking the manual, I realized this likely indicated a power steering system issue—the steering wheel would become heavier and turning more strenuous, which is quite dangerous. I recalled the technician mentioning during the last maintenance that this car has electronically controlled power steering, possibly due to a sensor or wiring malfunction. I hurried to a nearby repair shop, where they confirmed it was a loose connection in the electric pump. It took some time to fix. From now on, I'll pay more attention to dashboard warnings—when this kind of light appears, don't delay, lest the steering wheel fails on the highway, leading to minor scratches or major accidents. Regular maintenance should include checks on the electronic systems, as car safety is no trivial matter. Everyone should stay vigilant while driving and not overlook such warning lights to save trouble.
