Electromechanical Stearing on C7
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 125
Likes: 19
From: Minneapolis MN
Electromechanical Stearing on C7
If I read correctly, the new C7 will be equipped with an electrical steering system. I am just sitting here reading my Swedish Auto Magazine (Teknikens Värld) which has a 4 page article on the problems with the Audi new electromechanical power steering. An electrical motor instead of hydraulic power stealing to save on gas mileage. The Audi drivers do not feel the car is safe as it constantly require the driver to adjust the steering to drive a straight line. I found similar problems reported from US drivers at
http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2013/audi/a4/steering/problem.aspx
I am definitely a very likely C7 buyer, but I want to make sure we all do not get the feeling of the Audi. Also - Audi does not yet have a fix for their problem so all Audi drivers have to try to keep their cars safely on the road. I hope that GM has had more time to assure their design is good and offers a comfortable experience for their drivers.
http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2013/audi/a4/steering/problem.aspx
I am definitely a very likely C7 buyer, but I want to make sure we all do not get the feeling of the Audi. Also - Audi does not yet have a fix for their problem so all Audi drivers have to try to keep their cars safely on the road. I hope that GM has had more time to assure their design is good and offers a comfortable experience for their drivers.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,189
Likes: 18,042
From: DFW Area TX
Electronic power steering is certainly not new technology. In 2005 25.8% of cars made in Europe, Japan, Korea and North America had Electronic Power Steering (EPS). By 2011 that had grown to 58.2% (Car and Driver). C&D did a blind test by a committee of 11 editors with many decades of combined experience over their favorite southeast Michigan test loop: 13.8 miles of whoops and hollows, sweeping lefts, and decreasing-radius rights. Each driver completed one 10-item ballot per car.
Their findings: After griping about EPS for years, the shocking revelation is that C/D’s editorial staff preferred the electric system over hydraulic assistance. Total votes in seven out of ten rating categories favored EPS by two to eight points each. Hydraulic shined in only the three Feedback categories where it won the on-center comparison by four points and tied with EPS in our middle-of-maneuver and at-cornering-extremes performance ratings.
So, it appears that Audi has a problem, but this does not extend to EPS in general.
Their findings: After griping about EPS for years, the shocking revelation is that C/D’s editorial staff preferred the electric system over hydraulic assistance. Total votes in seven out of ten rating categories favored EPS by two to eight points each. Hydraulic shined in only the three Feedback categories where it won the on-center comparison by four points and tied with EPS in our middle-of-maneuver and at-cornering-extremes performance ratings.
So, it appears that Audi has a problem, but this does not extend to EPS in general.
1st Gear
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Herriman Utah
I am planning to by a C7 Roadster, right now I have a02 roadster and a 72 LS5, my wife's car is a 2013 Cruze LTZ with electric steering. To me it has a very good feel to it, and the wife love it, what more could I ask for.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 125
Likes: 19
From: Minneapolis MN
Thank you all for your very uplifting comments. It was very disturbing to read that Audi seems to have had their problem for a while and not until many drivers complained and newspapers took up the issue will Audi start working on a fix for later this summer. I am convinced and will also order my C7 - it will be white with the kalahari interior.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 348
From: My interests are mobile
The fact Audi has a problem with something doesnt amount to much. Great racecars, but notoriously unreliable road cars. It comes down to the company that manufactures the system, and the complexity of the system. Knowing Audi...its as complex as possible.
The C7 has a very simple belt driven motor, and the belt is small in length and wide as a timing belt. It will likely be a bitch to replace, but I bet the belt is good for 75k miles, if not more. Every car has its bugs....the c5 did, the c6 did, the c7 will....lets wait and see what they are!
The C7 has a very simple belt driven motor, and the belt is small in length and wide as a timing belt. It will likely be a bitch to replace, but I bet the belt is good for 75k miles, if not more. Every car has its bugs....the c5 did, the c6 did, the c7 will....lets wait and see what they are!
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 670
Likes: 85
I forgot where I saw it but I recall the C7 using the same ZF-supplied EPS system that is currently used on the 911s. I have heard nothing but positive reviews on the 911's steering so I wouldn't worry too much about this.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14, '16
I saw that too, the 911 steering has received very positive reviews, GM says it's 500%! more stiff than the C6.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
There is a direct mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels being steered at all times. The electric motor assists, the same as happens in a hydraulic assisted system.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,860
Likes: 3
From: 96598
I drove a BMW X3 that had a new steering, think electric. I did not like it. Yes it
tightened and loosened as drove with speed. But I like the heavier feeling of the old
Bimmers. So brought the X5d yesterday. Another did not like is the motor shut off.
Hard too see the benefit. We drove through a residential area. Stop sign after stop
sign, shut off after shut off where is the saving. Could see if idling in a traffic jam but
around town ??????
tightened and loosened as drove with speed. But I like the heavier feeling of the old
Bimmers. So brought the X5d yesterday. Another did not like is the motor shut off.
Hard too see the benefit. We drove through a residential area. Stop sign after stop
sign, shut off after shut off where is the saving. Could see if idling in a traffic jam but
around town ??????
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,251
Likes: 570
From: Margaritaville Daytona
.And another
Last edited by AmmoVet; May 10, 2013 at 11:28 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,629
Likes: 19
From: Chesapeake VA
The only thing different is the method by which power assist is achieved. It's an electric motor instead of a belt driven hydraulic pump.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
In the case of a motor failure there would still be no manual steering unless the pulley de-couples from the gear. It looks like the only reason the wheel is connected to the steering gear is for feedback. Judging by the pulley they have probably designed it to allow a small amount of lateral play to transmit some feel from the tires back through the wheel.
Either way, so long as the electric motors pully is wrapped around that gear you wont be moving the steering wheel without the motors help.
Either way, so long as the electric motors pully is wrapped around that gear you wont be moving the steering wheel without the motors help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,216
Likes: 4
From: ---Phoenix, AZ --- Boiler Up, Hammer Down!
I drove a BMW X3 that had a new steering, think electric. I did not like it. Yes it
tightened and loosened as drove with speed. But I like the heavier feeling of the old
Bimmers. So brought the X5d yesterday. Another did not like is the motor shut off.
Hard too see the benefit. We drove through a residential area. Stop sign after stop
sign, shut off after shut off where is the saving. Could see if idling in a traffic jam but
around town ??????
tightened and loosened as drove with speed. But I like the heavier feeling of the old
Bimmers. So brought the X5d yesterday. Another did not like is the motor shut off.
Hard too see the benefit. We drove through a residential area. Stop sign after stop
sign, shut off after shut off where is the saving. Could see if idling in a traffic jam but
around town ??????