What Does the Power Steering Wheel Do?

The power steering wheel lets you turn a vehicle’s front wheels with far less effort by using hydraulic or electric assist, while also relaying road feel and working with modern driver-assistance features. In practice, it amplifies your input, helps the wheel return to center, and can deliver gentle corrective nudges for lane-keeping on many newer cars.

What “power steering wheel” really means

People often say “power steering wheel” when they mean the steering wheel in a vehicle equipped with power steering. The wheel itself is a driver interface; the assist comes from a power steering system—hydraulic, electric, or a hybrid—that boosts your effort so you can maneuver at parking-lot speeds without wrestling the wheel, and still maintain stability and feedback at highway speeds.

How the system works, step by step

The power steering system adds torque to your steering input only as needed, based on vehicle speed, steering angle, and driver effort. Here’s the typical flow of what happens from your hands to the road wheels.

1. You apply torque to the steering wheel, turning the steering shaft.
2. Sensors (torque, angle, and speed) detect your input and vehicle conditions.
3. A controller calculates the amount of assist required.
4. An assist device—either a hydraulic pump and valve or an electric motor—adds force to the steering mechanism (rack-and-pinion or steering box).
5. The steering rack moves the tie rods, turning the front wheels.
6. Feedback from the tires and road transmits back through the system, providing feel at the wheel, while software or valves modulate how much of that feel reaches you.

Together, these steps reduce steering effort at low speeds and preserve stability and feedback at higher speeds, making the vehicle easier and safer to control across driving situations.

Power steering types you’ll encounter

Automakers use several designs to provide assist, each with trade-offs in feel, efficiency, and integration with safety tech.

• Hydraulic Power Steering (HPS): Engine-driven pump pressurizes fluid; a valve in the steering gear meters assist. Known for traditional road feel, but consumes engine power continuously.
• Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS): An electric motor drives the hydraulic pump, reducing parasitic losses and allowing limited assist when the engine is off.
• Electric Power Steering (EPS): An electric motor (on the column, rack, or via a belt) provides assist without fluid. It’s now standard in most new cars, enables features like lane centering and park assist, and improves fuel economy.

While heavy-duty trucks may still favor hydraulic systems for high loads, EPS dominates modern passenger vehicles due to efficiency and advanced control.

What you feel at the wheel

Good power steering balances light effort with clear information from the road. At very low speeds you get strong assist for easy parking; at highway speeds the system dials back assist to keep the car stable around center. Many vehicles use variable-assist mapping and variable steering ratios to make the wheel feel natural, self-center confidently, and resist overcorrection.

Benefits and why it matters

A well-calibrated power steering system makes driving easier and safer while enabling modern assistance features. Key advantages include:

• Lower steering effort: Easier low-speed maneuvers and reduced driver fatigue.
• Better control: Stable on-center feel and predictable response at speed.
• Efficiency and features: EPS saves fuel and supports ADAS like lane keeping, lane centering, and automated parking.
• Accessibility: Helps drivers of varied strength operate vehicles safely.

These benefits are foundational to how today’s vehicles deliver comfort, confidence, and expanding active safety capabilities.

If power assist fails

Power steering is designed with fail-safe behavior: you can still steer, but it will be much heavier, especially at low speeds.

• Symptoms: Steering becomes very heavy; a steering or EPS warning light may appear; you might hear whining (hydraulic) or experience intermittent assist (electric).
• What to do: Reduce speed, increase following distance, and avoid sharp low-speed turns until repaired. Check fluid level in hydraulic systems; for EPS, a restart can temporarily clear a sensor glitch but seek service promptly.

While drivable in many cases, a loss of assist can be hazardous in tight spaces or emergencies—schedule inspection as soon as possible.

Maintenance and care

Basic upkeep preserves steering performance and prevents costly repairs.

• Hydraulic systems: Periodically check fluid level and condition; inspect hoses, pump, and rack for leaks; replace the drive belt if cracked or noisy.
• EPS systems: Keep the 12V battery and charging system healthy; software updates may refine steering feel and ADAS performance.
• Tires and alignment: Maintain proper pressure and wheel alignment—both strongly affect steering effort and feel.
• Suspension health: Worn tie-rod ends, ball joints, or struts can cause play, noise, or wandering.

Following the manufacturer’s service schedule and addressing small issues early helps maintain consistent steering effort and feedback.

Common misconceptions

Power steering terminology can be confusing; here are quick clarifications.

• “Power steering wheel” is not a special wheel—it’s the steering wheel in a vehicle with power-assisted steering.
• Electric assist does not inherently mean “numb” feel; modern EPS calibrations can be precise and tunable.
• Steer-by-wire is emerging but rare; most systems still have a mechanical linkage. Some advanced systems (e.g., certain luxury models) add electronic control with mechanical backups.

Understanding the terms helps distinguish the driver’s interface (the wheel) from the assist mechanism (the power steering system).

Bottom line

The power steering wheel, working with its assist system, reduces the effort needed to steer, preserves road feedback, and integrates with modern safety features. It turns a demanding mechanical task into a smooth, precise action, enhancing maneuverability at low speeds and stability at high speeds.

Summary

By amplifying your input and modulating feedback, the power steering setup lets you steer easily and accurately, supports features like lane keeping and automated parking, and remains controllable even if assist fails—though with much heavier effort. Keep the system maintained, and it will deliver the blend of comfort, efficiency, and control modern drivers expect.

Do you put your hands at 10 and 2 or 9 and 3?

Also have controls in the steering wheel. Which can be accessed easily from this position. Again without your hands leaving the wheel another reason to not drive at 10 and two has been shown.

What is the point of power steering?

Power steering assists drivers by multiplying the force applied to the steering wheel, making it easier to turn the vehicle’s front wheels, especially at low speeds, in parking lots, or during tight maneuvers. It provides control and reduces physical effort by using either hydraulic fluid or an electric motor to assist the steering system, allowing for a smooth, quick, and responsive directional change. 
How it Works
Power steering systems use hydraulic pressure or electric motors to amplify the driver’s input, reducing the strain on the steering mechanism. 

• Hydraulic Power Steering (HPS): Opens in new tabAn engine-driven pump circulates hydraulic fluid. When you turn the wheel, a valve directs pressurized fluid to a power ram, which helps move the steering gear and turn the wheels. 
• Electric Power Steering (EPS): Opens in new tabA small electric motor is mounted on the steering column or rack. When you turn the wheel, the vehicle’s computer signals the motor to apply assistive torque, turning the wheels without using the engine’s power. 
• Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS): Opens in new tabA hybrid system that uses hydraulic assistance, but with an electric motor driving the pump instead of the engine, providing better fuel efficiency than traditional HPS. 

Benefits of Power Steering

• Reduced Effort: Significantly lowers the physical force needed to turn the wheel, especially at low speeds. 
• Improved Maneuverability: Makes it much easier to park, turn in tight spaces, and navigate complex traffic. 
• Enhanced Safety: Allows drivers to react quickly to obstacles or changes in the road by responding immediately to even small steering adjustments. 
• Better Control: Provides a stable and responsive steering feel, which can be adjusted for different speeds to offer more feedback at higher speeds. 

If Power Steering Fails
If the power steering system fails (e.g., due to a broken belt in an HPS system or a motor issue in an EPS system), the steering will become very heavy and difficult to operate. You can still steer, but you will need to physically overcome the resistance of the steering mechanism.

Can you still drive if electric power steering goes out?

Yes, it’s possible to drive without power steering. However, power steering failure in an electric or hydraulic power steering system can make normal steering challenging and risky. Driving through traffic, making low-speed turns, and parking may require more steering effort.

What happens when power steering fluid is low?

When power steering fluid is low, you may notice the steering wheel becoming hard to turn, hearing whining or groaning noises when turning, or the steering wheel jerking or feeling stiff. Low fluid can cause air to enter the system, lead to pump overheating, and ultimately damage the pump or other components, which can be a dangerous and costly problem. You should check your power steering fluid level and add more if it’s low. 
Symptoms of Low Power Steering Fluid

• Difficulty Steering: Opens in new tabThe most common sign is a steering wheel that feels heavy or stiff, requiring more physical effort to turn, especially at low speeds or during parking. 
• Noises: Opens in new tabWhining, groaning, or squealing sounds when turning the wheel are signals that the power steering pump is struggling to circulate fluid, which can be due to air in the system. 
• Jerking or Inconsistent Steering: Opens in new tabThe steering wheel may feel like it’s skipping, resisting, or jerking unexpectedly due to fluctuations in hydraulic pressure. 
• Warning Light: Opens in new tabA power steering warning light on your dashboard may illuminate to indicate a low fluid level or other issues within the system. 
• Fluid Leaks: Opens in new tabYou might notice reddish or light brown fluid stains under your vehicle in the area where you normally park. 

Potential Dangers

• System Damage: Running the pump with low fluid can lead to pump overheating, damage, and ultimately a costly repair or replacement. 
• Safety Hazard: A sudden loss of power steering can make the vehicle difficult to control, increasing the risk of an accident, especially when turning or in a curve. 
• Component Failure: The lack of lubricating and cooling fluid can cause other components, such as the steering rack, to fail over time. 

What to Do

1. Check the Fluid Level: Opens in new tabLocate the power steering fluid reservoir under the hood and check the fluid level using the dipstick or markings on the reservoir. 
2. Add Fluid: Opens in new tabIf the fluid is low, add the correct type of power steering fluid as specified in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. 
3. Inspect for Leaks: Opens in new tabIf you have to add fluid frequently, have a mechanic inspect the system for any leaks in the hoses or seals.