Power steering?

[shark2k]

So I did a search before posting this and a few threads came up mentioning power steering but it was never really mentioned.

So, I was wondering if you guys think the Model S will have power steering? Talking with people in the Mini E program, they Mini E does have power steering. During my search walk_n_wind said:

And then there's the power steering (not sure I'll want to leave it in there, but then again those are *huge* wheels.) It's always more fun to feel the road without the dampening fluid pressure. Plus you can save some battery power by getting rid of that electric pump!

from this thread: http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/tesl...47-better-lease.html?highlight=power+steering

I got to drive MPT's Roadster back in October and the steering was definitely something that would take getting used to when the average person is so accustomed to having power steering. When I went to a Mini E meetup in November is when I found out the Mini E does have power steering. I'm curious as to how much energy that requires and how much that affects the mileage. I think power steering would probably be something that I would like to have.

So what are people's thoughts on this, i.e., do you want it? do you think it will be put in?

-Shark2k

 

[OwlsCat]

Power steering...

I'm an older female, and I would want power steering. I had occasion to have to drive a car that had a stuck throttle, had to turn off the ignition and negotiate through traffic to the shoulder, and it was tough to steer with the power off, so I know what being without power steering feels like.

 

[doug]

For the type of car the Model S is, it will almost certainly have power steering.

For smaller sports cars, I know people that actually remove the power steering.

 

[shark2k]

For the type of car the Model S is, it will almost certainly have power steering.

For smaller sports cars, I know people that actually remove the power steering.

That's good to hear. I didn't know that about smaller sports cars. Thanks for that info Doug.

-Shark2k

 

[dsm363]

I agree. They keep saying this will go up against the BMW 5 series in terms of what you can expect. I can't imagine they wouldn't have power steering but you never know.

 

[bolosky]

I'm curious as to how much energy [power streering] requires and how much that affects the mileage.

Think about this: while it's harder than you're used to, manual steering works. That means that you can get all of the energy needed for steering out of your arms (or in my case my left arm, since steering my Roadster hurts my right shoulder). It's hard to imagine that you're putting out as much as 100 watts that way, and then only for a few seconds. When the car's moving faster, it takes much less.

So we're talking about hundereds of watt seconds, which is nothing compared to a battery measured in kilowatt hours.

The power steering would have no noticable effect on range, except that it might add some weight. That and the fact that some people like manual steering on sports cars is most likely why it's not in the Roadster. I'd be amazed if the S doesn't have it.

 

[TEG]

These days manual steering is unusual except on some mid engined sports cars.

My old Toyota MR2 has manual steering.
My old Bertone X 1/9 had manual steering.
The old VW beetle had manual steering.

I can't think of any front wheel drive cars that have manual steering.
(There is more mechanism attached to the wheels to have to move, and the extra weight on the front wheels makes them harder to turn).
The Mini-E is front wheel drive, so it has the extra weight and mechanism to move so really needs power steering.

The Elise is such a lightweight car that it can make due with manual steering and retain a "pure", "unadulterated" steering feel and still not tire you out too much. The Roadster weights quite a bit more than the Elise so it starts to test the limits of what is OK to do and still have manual steering.

Like others have said, at-speed the steering boost isn't really needed. It is slow parking maneuvers where you will really wish you had it in a heavier car.

Like others, I assume that the Model S will have power steering.
Hopefully they have an electric power steering rack (like on Acura NSX for instance), and don't have an electro-hydraulic system (motorized pump) like I have on my Ranger EV. (It works fine but is heavier and more complicated than it needs to be).

 

[shark2k]

I can't think of any front wheel drive cars that have manual steering.
(There is more mechanism attached to the wheels to have to move, and the extra weight on the front wheels makes them harder to turn).
The Mini-E is front wheel drive, so it has the extra weight and mechanism to move so really needs power steering.

That makes sense. I didn't think of those reasons, but my car (Ford Focus ZX3 manual trans) is a front wheel drive and when I let it roll forward without turning the car on I need to really use some muscle to turn the wheel.

Like others, I assume that the Model S will have power steering.
Hopefully they have an electric power steering rack (like on Acura NSX for instance), and don't have an electro-hydraulic system (motorized pump) like I have on my Ranger EV. (It works fine but is heavier and more complicated than it needs to be).

It's not a car but I keep seeing commericals for a Honda ATV that mentions having a "state of the art" electric power steering. This question had been on my mind for a while (and, obviously, I wasn't aware that smaller cars sometimes didn't have power steering and that heavier cars did). I was never a car guy although I had an interest in cars.

Basically, I thought since the Roadster didn't have power steering the Model S might not, but since what a lot of you said, I feel better that it should.

Thanks for all the replies.

-Shark2k

 

[tdelta1000]

I would think so... here's what I found on the web:

Denso Electronic Power Steering

Here's a picture of another system:

 

[ShantJ]

I hope that there is an option to NOT have power steering.

 

[storm9]

It will probably have electric power steering. Less weight. Also I hope it has speed sensitive steering it helps make the car feel a lot lighter in low speeds.

 

[walk_n_wind]

Funny this thread came up...

...because I asked Tesla back in May of 2009. Of course, a lot can change in that time, but this was their response:

...The Model S will use a power steering system. The Roadster can get away without power assist because of the lightweight carbon body and rear-biased weight distribution.

In general, the Model S will be much more like a BMW 5-Series or a Mercedes E-Class than the Roadster. The drivetrain is obviously similar but Model S will have all the same features and high quality materials used by BMW and Mercedes Benz.

Regards,
Ted

My guess is that the S wheels would be nearly impossible to turn @ a stand-still w/out power steering. The contact patch must be gigantic. Doesn't mean I wouldn't like to remove it temporarily to confirm it's necessary

 

[trevorlsciact]

does anyone think that they might use drive by wire? just throwing it out there

 

[ChrisC]

I didn't think it was possible, but this thread has now gotten even sillier.

 

[Kevin Harney]

Why is that so silly ?!?!?!? Many of the luxury manufacturers use it now .... although not for steering i guess...

 

[TEG]

HowStuffWorks "How Car Steering Works"
HowStuffWorks "How GM's Hy-wire Works"
Citroen Develops Drive-by-Wire System for Mainstream Family Sedan