Speed Sensing Steering Function and Working Principle

Power steering systems are found in most modern vehicles. The benefit of a power steering system is that it lets you steer your vehicle with minimal effort or strength. Some drivers think that power steering systems provide too much steering support, especially when traveling at high speeds. Drivers don’t feel as if they have good enough control over their vehicles when they accelerate faster. At least with classic manual steering systems, drivers have total control over their steering. Of course, the problem with manual steering is that it requires a lot of upper arm strength to make turns around corners at slower speeds.

Basic Function and Working Principle

Wouldn’t it be great to have the best traits of power steering merged with the best traits of manual steering? Well, that is what you get with the speed sensing power steering function. No matter how fast you’re driving, you’ll have more control over your steering without needing that upper arm strength. For instance, if you need to drive slower to make a turn or some maneuver around a corner, you will receive power steering assistance like normal from the speed sensing steering system. But if you accelerate at faster speeds, the power steering assistance is reduced by the speed sensing steering system. Then you have a lot of manual steering control until you slow down again.

Therefore, you get power assistance control at slower speeds and better manual control at faster speeds. This solves the problem that drivers had before with power steering. The speed sensing steering system depends on various modules and sensors throughout the vehicle to provide it with speed data. They can detect whenever you step on the gas pedal to go faster or the brake pedal to slow down.

For example, when you step on the brake pedal to slow down, the steering system knows to increase the power steering assistance because the sensors detect the brake pedal being pressed. Once the steering system receives this information, it automatically activates the power steering mechanism. And if you go faster by stepping on the gas pedal, the sensors will detect that as well. The steering system then takes away some of the power steering to give you additional manual control at higher speeds.

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How to Get Speed Sensing Power Steering

Do not get confused about speed sensing power steering because it is still basically a power steering system. It could be an electric power steering system or hydraulic power steering system like in any modern vehicle. However, the difference here is the power steering system has basically been enhanced with this speed sensing technology. Sometimes the manufacturer of the vehicle will integrate the technology into their existing power steering system. Other times, they’ll leave it up to the consumer to perform their own upgrade.

There are certain models of the Ford Fusion which come with speed sensing power steering technology already. But in most cases, your vehicle will only be manufactured with a basic power steering system. To find out whether you can upgrade the steering system, check your owner’s manual to see if speed-sensing steering upgrades are allowed. If they don’t mention anything about it, contact the manufacturer directly and ask them.

Even if you happen to own a vehicle that can be upgraded to this technology, you still need to have a mechanic perform the upgrade for you. This will cost you a considerable amount of money for their labor because they need to upgrade your entire steering system. For this reason, it is better to research vehicles which already have speed sensing power steering before you go and purchase one.

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