Power Steering

[Ender]

Hey, I'm deciding wether or not to get a smart car and I had a question about it for anyone to answer if they own one. I was wondering if you had power steering on it and if it was really needed on a smart. I have always had power steering on my cars, I've had a Plymouth Voyager van, a Chevy Malibu, and an Oldsmobile Cutlass and they all had it. I don't really know of any cars in the US that don't have power steering but does it really make that big of a difference? Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

[dbwill]

Originally Posted by Ender

Hey, I'm deciding wether or not to get a smart car and I had a question about it for anyone to answer if they own one. I was wondering if you had power steering on it and if it was really needed on a smart. I have always had power steering on my cars, I've had a Plymouth Voyager van, a Chevy Malibu, and an Oldsmobile Cutlass and they all had it. I don't really know of any cars in the US that don't have power steering but does it really make that big of a difference? Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

Don't think it is needed but it come with one of the accessory packages

[Twojjs]

The cars at the Tampa show had no power steering and my opinion is it is not needed for a Smart?

[SmartBob]

That seems to be the general feeling. I drove one as well and didin't even realize it had no power steering.

[RLove]

Originally Posted by SmartBob

That seems to be the general feeling. I drove one as well and didin't even realize it had no power steering.

That's exactly what happened to me as well. I was told afterward when the conversation turned to ordering, and found that my test car didn't have it. We drove at relatively low speeds and the steering effort was minimal.

[Ender]

Thanks everyone, I found another thread on it with similar opinions too...

[Peddlecar]

I wonder about the power steering design. Is it such that it can easily be removed later or is it integral to the car if you order it that way?

[Lewis]

rack ratio differs- major component=major$

[DaveInTexas]

The manual rack is 22:1 and the power is 21:1 gear ratio.

In Miata's, a lot of the track cars have Depowered the racks in their cars. I am sure it wouldn't be too hard to do the same here.

[Old smart]

The difference in steering ratios (21:1 vs 22:1) isn’t that much. If the ratios were determined by the number of steering wheel rotations lock-to-lock (vice rack length : pinion diameter), it may argue that they use the same basic rack and pinion and that the P/S installation slightly shortens the useable length of the rack, perhaps more robust rack end-stops. If so, that may translate to a 5% greater turning circle for the P/S car.