Steering & Power Steering

Steering converts wheel input into front-wheel angle. The handbook's interior inspection sets two requirements: the wheel must have its full range of motion (lock to lock, nothing binding), and it must effectively turn the front wheels — input in, response out, without slack.

Power steering is engine-driven assistance that reduces effort. Its failure mode matters more than its mechanism: if the engine dies or the system fails, the steering doesn't lock — it goes suddenly, enormously heavy. Drivers who don't know this read the weight as a locked wheel and stop steering; in fact full control remains available, for full effort. Expect it, muscle it, and pull over safely. (Same engine-dependency family as the brake servo — Lesson 5.2 — and the reason towing or coasting engine-off is heavier work than expected.)

Key takeaways

Handbook standard: full lock-to-lock motion and effective front-wheel response — steering is checked, not assumed
Power-steering failure is sudden heaviness, not a lock — full control remains for full effort, so expect it once and it never panics you

Quick check

Mid-corner your engine stalls and the steering suddenly goes very heavy. What's happened, and what do you do?

A) The steering has locked — let go and brace

B) A front tyre has blown — brake hard immediately

C) Power-steering assistance died with the engine — the steering isn't locked, it just needs full effort; keep steering with force and bring the car to a safe stop

D) The suspension has failed — pull the handbrake