What does the steering wheel icon on the car dashboard mean?
2 Answers
When the steering wheel icon appears on the car dashboard, it indicates a problem with the steering system that requires immediate attention. It is recommended that the owner stop the vehicle as soon as possible to identify the cause. If the owner cannot resolve the issue themselves, they should drive to the nearest repair shop for professional assistance. When the yellow light is on, it means the steering system is partially malfunctioning, and higher force is required to turn the steering wheel. If the red light is on, it indicates a complete failure of the steering system, where the power assist system will not provide any assistance, and all the force to turn the steering wheel must come from the driver's hands. There are three common types of power steering systems in cars: electric power steering (EPS), electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS), and hydraulic power steering (HPS).
Don't ignore that little yellow steering wheel warning light! Last time I encountered it, the steering suddenly became as heavy as trying to move a concrete block. This is the electric power steering system warning light, indicating either an impending failure or complete shutdown of power steering assistance. The most common causes are a malfunctioning steering torque sensor or poor contact in the steering column motor. If you suddenly lose power assistance on the highway, steering requires tremendous effort, which is extremely dangerous. I recommend pulling over immediately and trying a system restart - sometimes temporary glitches can self-correct. If the light remains on, head straight to a repair shop to read the fault codes. Never attempt to keep driving with this issue.
