Manual Or Power Steering?

[trock59]

I posted on this elsewhere ... Elio is too light to need PS. Now if 20 years ago, power steering had been banned except for medical necessity, we'd have a whole fleet of MUCH lighter, simpler, and more fuel-efficient cars today.

And a whole fleet of much lighter and more food efficient people too!

 

[Eric 100]

No power steering. At less than 1000 lbs it is not needed.

I love geo 3 cyl cars. No power steering doesnt bother me at all. But it could be added as an accessory after the build with the other options. Some cars and ATVs have gone to electric which just installed in the steering column basicly . I added one to my Kawasaki 750 brute force. It may be come an option if they ever build the cars.

 

[Eric 100]

It does mention that the steering does have power.

That is a No on Power Steering but with this new electric PS they have , it probably will be an option. Really not needed and let them keep the price down.

 

[Eric 100]

Originally they said 70hp, then down-graded it to 55hp. Latest info posted is 60hp and 55 ft-lbs of torque.

I dont think the motor is built yet so Im sure the figures will change on the actual engine. I would say we have guess ta ments now ,they are using a 91 geo metro motor in the prototype if you can call it that , Car. I love the metro 3cly motors. It would be great if they even used those by me. I have seen those go up to 400K miles.

 

[Smitty901]

No power steering should not be a bit issue. Not having it will save weight money and parts. Also make it easier to repair.
My daughter had a GEO metro in college she loved that car. The free price helped I bet. She took out pictures of it to show our 16 year old granddaughter what my daughters first car was.

 

[goofyone]

Manual steering should not be an issue at all once the vehicle is outfitted with its correctly sized rack and pinion system however for those who absolutely need it in the recent Town Hall Meeting Paul Elio said that the production steering would be able to accommodate an electric power assist module and they were leaving enough space to allow for this to be installed as an option.

 

[skygazer6033]

Back in the old days very few cars had power steering. We didn't go to the gym. We went for a drive.

 

[AriLea]

Back in the old days very few cars had power steering. We didn't go to the gym. We went for a drive.

We are definitely very spoiled. We figure that if it takes two fingers to turn the steering, it's too much. On a large car, yes I think it's needed.
When the Rack&Pinion design came into vogue that felt like heaven compared to the older gear-boxes. My 78 Fiesta took two fingers at dead stop. I suspect the manual rack on an Elio will be about as easy or better.

 

[Smitty901]

Showed my granddaughter a picture of the huge steering wheel in my first car. A 1964 Chev Impala.
It needed to be that big to run it. No power steering or brakes. 3 speed on the column

 

[skygazer6033]

It seems like we have too much concern about power steering. Everyone is aware of the light weight but another factor is the tires. Very narrow LRR tires are hard and stiff for efficiency and should therefore make it even easier to steer. My concern is it may even be too easy. Making the car skittish at high speed. This is something that can only be tested by actual driving of a prototype. Elio and Cooper engineers may have to compromise on efficiency to get a solid feel at speed.