Why Does the Steering Wheel Become Hard to Turn on Rainy Days?
2 Answers
There are two scenarios when a car's steering wheel becomes hard to turn on rainy days: The first scenario occurs when starting the vehicle, and the second happens when the steering wheel, which was previously functioning normally, suddenly becomes difficult to turn. Below is a detailed analysis of why a car's steering wheel may become hard to turn on rainy days: 1. Steering wheel hard to turn when starting the vehicle: This is usually due to the activation of the steering wheel lock feature. This happens because the steering wheel was turned after the vehicle was turned off, leading the car's computer to assume a potential theft situation, thereby automatically activating the anti-theft function. 2. Steering wheel suddenly becomes hard to turn when it was previously fine: It is recommended to visit a repair shop for maintenance.
A few days ago, I encountered a situation where the steering wheel became extremely hard to turn while driving in the rain—it really scared me! Later, I asked a mechanic and learned that rainwater had seeped into the steering system, causing the steering column to rust or the power steering pump to become damp, resulting in significantly increased resistance. My car is an older model with hydraulic power steering, and when the fluid absorbs moisture, it thickens, making steering particularly difficult. For cars with electronic power steering, rainwater might enter the sensors, causing the computer to misinterpret that the steering wheel isn’t moving. In such cases, never force the steering wheel to avoid damaging the steering gear or tie rods. Let me remind you: before driving in the rain, it’s best to check if the power steering fluid level in the reservoir is normal. If it’s abnormal, pull over immediately, turn on the hazard lights, and contact a professional repair shop. Similar issues are quite common during humid seasons. Regularly replacing the steering system’s dust covers and adding desiccants can help prevent this. Remember, safety first—don’t take risks!
