What causes heavy steering?
Wednesday 30th October 2024
Is your steering wheel heavy when turning into corners or parking in a bay? Heavy steering can impact your car’s safety and performance, making it harder to steer. If you find your vehicle difficult to drive, we recommend taking it to your local garage and getting the issue inspected and fixed immediately.
Learn what causes heavy steering and how to prevent it with Formula One Autocentres’ helpful guide.
What is heavy steering?
Heavy steering is when your car’s steering wheel feels stiff and difficult to turn. This makes it harder to control your vehicle while compromising its performance. There are many reasons why your steering feels stiff or compromised. However, if your steering wheel is unresponsive, you must get it checked by an expert technician at your nearest branch as soon as possible.
tHE Causes of heavy steering
Incorrect tyre pressure
If your tyres are not inflated to the recommended tyre pressure, your vehicle’s steering can become heavy. Under-inflated tyres reduce the grip between the tyres and the road surface, causing the steering to become heavier and less cooperative. Over-inflated tyres can create an uncomfortable driving experience, making it harder to control as less of the tyre’s surface is in contact with the road surface, this will reduce the tyre’s grip, making braking and cornering more difficult.
A lack of power steering fluid
Low fluid in the power steering system can reduce pressure, making it harder to steer your car.
Like many parts of your vehicle, the power steering will incur wear and tear over time, creating the conditions for leaks or a power steering pump failure. Also, if your power steering fluid is too thick, it can affect your car’s steering. The fluid will pick up dirt and debris, restricting it from flowing and lubricating parts of the power steering system.
Issues with wheel alignment
If your vehicle’s tyres are misaligned, you could have uneven tyre wear or vibrations from your steering wheel. This causes your vehicle’s steering to become heavy or pull to one side while driving. If your vehicle’s wheels are misaligned, you should book a free wheel alignment check with us at one of our nationwide branches.
What can I do to prevent my car’s steering from becoming heavy?
There are many things you can do to prevent your car from having heavy steering, such as:
- Check your car’s tyre pressure.
- Replace a worn or damaged power steering pump.
- Inspect your vehicle’s steering rack for signs of damage.
- Regularly service your vehicle.
Is it safe to drive with heavy steering?
No, you should not drive your car if it has heavy steering. Driving a car that’s difficult to steer can make handling difficult while increasing the likelihood of being involved in an accident on the road.
How Formula One Autocentres can help
Formula One Autocentres has over 50 years of experience delivering MOTs, servicing and vehicle maintenance for our customers. A regular service will check your vehicle’s wheel alignment, tyre pressure and power steering fluid. These checks ensure your car continues to run safely while helping to fix heavy steering issues or prevent them from occurring.
Locate your local Formula One Autocentres branch and book your car service online. If you have any questions, contact our team to speak to one of our expert technicians today.