Manual Or Power Steering?

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

The learning curve is usually learning to turn the wheel when the vehicle is in motion forward or reverse. It requires just a tad more planning ahead.

Right on. This should be done even on power-steering cars to save some wear-and-tear on the tires.

I always cringe when I see people forcing the wheel to turn when their car is static. Just doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[skygazer6033]

GPA---Fully agree on killing the tires but would also like to mention the steering and suspension components. Wear on ball joints, tie rod ends, steering racks, A-arm bushings and wheel bearings all take a heavy load when the steering is cranked over while sitting still. All of these components are expensive for quality replacements and of course will require an alignment afterwards.

 

[Ekh]

About 40 years ago, I proposed that the simple solution to America's gas guzzlers was to ban power steering except with medical exemption. Instantaneous shift to smaller, lighter cars. Small cars don't need it!

 

[Rickb]

Well, hello to the board. After following Elio's progress for the last year, I decided to reserve one for 100 all in this week. I am in the cult.... I have driven with power steering my whole life. Can someone tell me what it should feel like driving a elio w/o it. Since the autocycle is only 1200 pounds, does it really need it. How much extra would it have cost if they put power steering in it. Thanks..

You will have the option to experience how the Elio handles prior to placing your official purchase order when EM kicks off the Ride and Drive Event.

I personally think the 1200# Elio with rack and pinion steering will be easy to maneuver and fun to drive.

 

[Johnapool]

Just for kicks I looked at the weight of a Chevy 350 engine. Around 600 pounds, or more, depending upon the model and which manifolds it has.
With only 450-500 pounds (loaded) of weight on each Elio front wheel, I have a hard time thinking it will be difficult to steer without power assistance.

 

[zelio]

Well, hello to the board. After following Elio's progress for the last year, I decided to reserve one for 100 all in this week. I am in the cult.... I have driven with power steering my whole life. Can someone tell me what it should feel like driving a elio w/o it. Since the autocycle is only 1200 pounds, does it really need it. How much extra would it have cost if they put power steering in it. Thanks.


Moderator Comment: Merged into existing power steering discussion

I drove a Daihatsu without power steering in the mid 1990s and had no trouble. I am fairly certain it was heavier than the Elio but it was a 3 cyclinder. I'm not worried about the Elio even though I am fully aware my shoulders are both bone on bone because of injuries. However, I also have had physical therapy to improve my mobility and now swim 3 days a week. The combination of therapy and frequent use have helped me maintain a level of control that I feel certain will aid and abet me in driving my Elio. In fact I suspect driving my Elio will strengthen my upper body even more. :-) Z

 

[goldwing06]

Just for kicks I looked at the weight of a Chevy 350 engine. Around 600 pounds, or more, depending upon the model and which manifolds it has.
With only 450-500 pounds (loaded) of weight on each Elio front wheel, I have a hard time thinking it will be difficult to steer without power assistance.

i have to go with john on this one. with rack and pinion steering, the effort to palm the wheel, even sitting still, should be possible for anyone. but even if it is a little firm, it's a sporty vehicle and u need to feel the leather when u ride, as the late phil harris would say. same for the brakes. a full up goldwing weighs approximately the same, and i can lock the wheel with one finger, if need be. not a safe manuver but just to prove a point of how much force is needed to apply control to a non power assist system. i think my riding mower requires more effort to steer than the elio would. at least, i hope that's the case.

 

[Mark Ambrose]

I just can't get over that 0-100 mph in 9.6 seconds. With that performance I wouldn't need a stick shift. I'll go for automatic transmission. The bad part is my wife will be able to drive it! LOL.

The 9.6 seconds is to 60 mph. 100 mph is the vehicle's top speed. Actually they say "over 100 mph".

 

[goofyone]

The 9.6 seconds is to 60 mph. 100 mph is the vehicle's top speed. Actually they say "over 100 mph".

They used to state 107 MPH but I don't think the exact number really matters. The fact that it does over 100 MPH tells you it can cruise at 75 down the interstate without being close to maxed out.

 

[Joshua Caldwell]

Well, hello to the board. After following Elio's progress for the last year, I decided to reserve one for 100 all in this week. I am in the cult.... I have driven with power steering my whole life. Can someone tell me what it should feel like driving a elio w/o it. Since the autocycle is only 1200 pounds, does it really need it. How much extra would it have cost if they put power steering in it. Thanks.


Moderator Comment: Merged into existing power steering discussion

Welcome