Why is the car steering wheel a bit stiff?
2 Answers
There are several main reasons why a car's steering wheel may feel stiff: 1. For hydraulic power steering systems, the common cause is dirty power steering fluid. This situation is similar to how dirty engine oil affects engine power and performance. 2. For electric power steering systems, you should check whether the fuse is blown, or if there are any open circuits or short circuits to ground in the wiring. 3. With electric power steering, repeatedly turning the steering wheel while stationary or at low speeds puts extreme load on the power steering system, which can easily cause the steering gear to overheat and enter protection mode, resulting in heavy steering. This will return to normal after cooling down, which is a normal phenomenon. 4. Insufficient tire pressure can also make the driver feel the steering wheel become noticeably heavier. Simply inflating the tires to standard pressure will restore normal operation.
While driving, I noticed the steering wheel suddenly became a bit stiff, requiring much more effort to turn, which worried me that there might be an issue. Looking back, possible reasons for the stiff steering wheel include a failure in the power steering system, such as insufficient power steering fluid or a problem with the hydraulic pump. Sometimes, low tire pressure can also make the steering wheel stiff, especially when the front tires are underinflated, increasing steering resistance. Another common situation is wear or sticking of internal components in the steering gear, requiring a check for leaks or unusual noises. Safety comes first—steering issues are no small matter; it's dangerous if the power steering suddenly fails on the road. I recommend going to a professional repair shop for a comprehensive inspection as soon as possible—don’t delay. Regularly monitoring your car's condition and changing the power steering fluid periodically can prevent many failures. Developing good habits, like keeping a tire pressure gauge in the car and checking the pressure monthly, can save money and give peace of mind.