Power Steering or NO

[a2jack]

Originally Posted by Westfield 11

Simply because the smart is so short and light, it must have been difficult to balance light effort when parking with high effort at speed. You don't want the car to be twitchy on the freeway nor do you want it shooting into a ditch if you sneeze while driving over 60mph. With power steering you can have lots of boost to assist @ low speed and remove boost as the speed increases to decrease sensitivity and prevent PIO/DIO (Pilot Induced Oscillations).

Westfield. Right you are.

I got behind two 18 wheelers and was being buffeted with their vortex. I let go of the wheel as a test and the steering tracked through the twistys just fine.

Duly impressed with smart power steering.

A2Jack.

[rotate]

Originally Posted by OneThinkingGuy

My Passion does NOT have power steering . . . and frankly, I would NEVER know it. There's so little weight over the front wheels. Perhaps the only moment one might notice is when parking in a tight space. It's not a question of effort - if anything, it's more natural, less artificial feeling. One less thing to go wrong and not having the PS adds to the fun. My 2 pennies! Pete

I was wondering if you could further elaborate about the effort involved when not moving. I'm in Manhattan, and I don't have the power steering ordered, but I'm concerned that its going to be impossible to squeeze out of tight spaces. I don't mind a little effort, or even a moderate amount. How hard would you say it is to turn the wheel when the car is completely stationary? Thanks

[Learn2relax]

Out of curiosity

Are you able to turn the corner using just 1 finger (with powersteering vs without) ?

I test drove a BMW 3 the other day and i had to use my both hands to turn the steering wheel.

I was wondering if you can use only 1 finger on the smart with PS installed

.

[4-2NV]

Originally Posted by rotate

I was wondering if you could further elaborate about the effort involved when not moving. I'm in Manhattan, and I don't have the power steering ordered, but I'm concerned that its going to be impossible to squeeze out of tight spaces. I don't mind a little effort, or even a moderate amount. How hard would you say it is to turn the wheel when the car is completely stationary? Thanks

I can't tell it's not power steering. I often turn out of parking spots rotating the steering wheel with an open palm, like power steering. On this car, IMHO, there are better ways to spend $450 and one less thing to go wrong.

[El Kabong]

Thanks to all for your input. As of right now, I'm thinking NO. I don't really want the Comfort Group, so $450 seems a bit steep. It might be worth $100 more in Blue Book value later, but not enough to matter. That being said, I'm still going to try to drive, or at least sit in a non power steering equipped unit before committing.

[Smartdavis]

All of our cars have always had power steering until we got the Smart. Interestingly my wife likes the Smart better without the power steering and says it is no problem to turn the wheel. She likes the way the car "feels" when she drives it even at low speed. I have no trouble turning the wheel when the car is stopped but there is more resistance than if you had ps. My advice is that if you are going to be doing a large amount of parallel parking in very tight spaces, or on hills, the ps will be easier, but not all that much. If you are driving in and out of normal parking spaces you are better without the ps and won't even miss it. I don't miss it.

[Beth in L.A.]

I ordered with the PS and had second thoughts. I had test driven the cars when they were on the road trip, but forgot since it was so long ago.

I went to the dealer and first drove one without.......ok, it was a bit hard to steer for me, but I'm 5' - 55 years old and had shoulder and back surgery last year.

Then I drove the PS. Now I wouldn't buy the NPS and where initially I didn't think the $$ was worth it, after driving, you bet I'm glad I ordered it.

It's just so much easier. Sure I can work harder without it, but why.......

Beth

[Smartdavis]

Originally Posted by Beth in L.A.

It's just so much easier. Sure I can work harder without it, but why.......

Beth

Turning a Smart without ps is not work. That's why.

[dennyrex]

I chose no power steering. I've had heavier cars without power steering and never wished I had it then.
Any additional effort will be acceptable ... it's cheaper than going to the gym.

[Smartdavis]

It's not even like going to the gym. If you've ever driven a golf cart it's about that "hard".