Energy steering is without doubt one of the key developments in automotive know-how that has given drivers extra management over their autos. It solely turned frequent for the common automobile within the 1950s and 60s, and earlier than that individuals needed to management the steering wheel all on their very own. Fortuitously, as we speak’s vehicles are a lot simpler to deal with. 

As a model that prides itself on precision and management, BMW has been a world chief in growing energy steering know-how for many years. Look beneath the hood and take a look at how BMW’s superior energy steering techniques work.

Hydraulic Energy Steering

The commonest kind of energy steering system is the hydraulic selection. You could find this method in most BMWs made earlier than 2000, particularly the basic fashions from the 60s by way of the 80s. In case you’re involved in bimmers from this period, you’ll be completely happy to study that energy steering wasn’t so difficult again then.

Hydraulic energy steering (HPS) depends on stress generated by an influence steering pump to help the driving force’s steering movement. The facility steering pump is related to the engine, which sends pressurized hydraulic fluid to steering gear to make the wheel simpler to show.

Listed here are the opposite key components of an HPS:

• Energy Steering Fluid: Energy steering fluid is the hydraulic liquid that gives lubrication and stress to make sure easy steering operation. It’s positioned in a reservoir subsequent to the engine, which should retailer an satisfactory provide to maintain the HPS practical.

• Steering Gear: The steering gear consists of a rack and pinion meeting, which converts the spinning movement of the steering wheel right into a lateral motion within the automobile’s axle, inflicting the wheels to show. 

• Steering Rack: The steering rack horizontally connects the steering wheel to the steering gear, changing the steering power utilized by the driving force to the turning wheels by way of the rack and pinion meeting.

• Steering Column: The steering column vertically connects the steering wheel to the steering gear, permitting the wheel to switch its torque to the gear throughout a flip.

• Energy Steering Hoses and Hydraulic Strains – The Energy steering hoses and hydraulic strains transfer the pressurized energy steering fluid from the pump to the steering gear. They’re designed to deal with extraordinarily excessive stress and preserve the fluid flowing in any situations.

In case your BMW begins to make wider turns than traditional and also you discover that the steering wheel is more durable to regulate, there may be possible an issue with the facility steering. This downside is called “understeering” as a result of the wheel fails to finish the flip regardless of the driving force making the right maneuver.

You’re technically nonetheless able to driving with dysfunctional energy steering. You’ll discover a clunkier and heavier really feel to the steering wheel, but it surely’s nonetheless attainable to regulate the car by yourself. Nonetheless, it isn’t secure to depend on HPS with out energy steering fluid. It is advisable change this fluid roughly each 80,000 miles or two years relying on how typically you drive.

Electrical Energy Steering

Electrical Energy Steering (EPS) is the newer kind of steering system with a lot of the identical components, however with one key distinction. As an alternative of counting on stress from hydraulic fluid, an EPS makes use of an electrical motor to help with the driving force’s steering enter. This motor is related to the steering column and may account for the car’s pace and the general driving situations.

BMW first began utilizing EPS within the Z4 E85 and E86 coupes from 2002 to 2008 and has adopted the know-how for almost all of its new releases ever since. 

Listed here are the opposite distinctive elements of an EPS together with the electrical motor:

• Steering Column Torque Sensor – This sensor detects the quantity of torque or rotational power that the driving force applies to the steering wheel. This info goes to the facility steering controller.

• Energy Steering Controller: The facility steering controller is positioned within the car’s digital management unit (ECU) and is the brains of the operation. It receives enter from the sensors within the motor and the steering column torque sensor and estimates the precise power the motor should exert to help with the flip. 

• Car Velocity Sensor – This sensor tracks the pace of the car and offers the facility steering controller fixed enter, permitting it to alter the extent of help based mostly on the pace and driving situations.

EPS has a number of advantages over HPS. For the reason that electrical motor solely consumes energy when the driving force requires help, it’s extra fuel-efficient than HPS. The torque sensor additionally permits for larger steering response flexibility based mostly on the driving force’s preferences, the car’s design or the street’s situations.

Lastly, drivers can pair EPS with different digital car techniques, together with driver help and stability management techniques. These combos result in improved car efficiency and far safer driving.

Know Your BMW’s Energy Steering

In case you personal a more recent BMW mannequin, you’ll want to study the ins and outs of your automobile’s electrical energy steering system. Those that personal basic bimmers ought to give attention to studying about hydraulic energy steering. In both case, you’ll want to know your BMW’s energy steering elements to make sure a constant driving expertise.

Associated