Electronic Steering 2017 RDX - stiff driving when turning
11-03-2017, 02:22 PM
#1
Electronic Steering 2017 RDX - stiff driving when turning
Hi,
I am new to this forum and totally a newbie when it comes to cars, so please bear with me. That said, I have a quick question - I have a 2017 AWD RDX (tech package) and noticed today that the steering wheel seems to have gotten a little stiffer when doing a low speed turn. I am aware that the RDX has electronic steering, and I brought it to the dealer to get t checked at and they said nothing wrong it it. But I swear, the drive seems off. But with no warning lights on or anything, they said that there is nothing to be done with it. My car is only two months old and I remember the selling point to me was how smooth it is when turning. Now it feels like there is more resistance when I turn. Am I just going crazy? Normally for non-electronic steering, I would guess it needs power steering fluid or something, but with the RDX, there is no need for any of that. And it should drive like 'butter.' I checked the tire pressure and they are at 30 PSI. So I have no idea.. it is getting colder here in terms of weather, so could that be one of the reasons? Anyway, thanks for your time and I appreciate any input you have.
I am new to this forum and totally a newbie when it comes to cars, so please bear with me. That said, I have a quick question - I have a 2017 AWD RDX (tech package) and noticed today that the steering wheel seems to have gotten a little stiffer when doing a low speed turn. I am aware that the RDX has electronic steering, and I brought it to the dealer to get t checked at and they said nothing wrong it it. But I swear, the drive seems off. But with no warning lights on or anything, they said that there is nothing to be done with it. My car is only two months old and I remember the selling point to me was how smooth it is when turning. Now it feels like there is more resistance when I turn. Am I just going crazy? Normally for non-electronic steering, I would guess it needs power steering fluid or something, but with the RDX, there is no need for any of that. And it should drive like 'butter.' I checked the tire pressure and they are at 30 PSI. So I have no idea.. it is getting colder here in terms of weather, so could that be one of the reasons? Anyway, thanks for your time and I appreciate any input you have.
11-03-2017, 02:25 PM
#2
Electronic Steering 2017 RDX - stiff driving when turning
Hi,
I am new to this forum and totally a newbie when it comes to cars, so please bear with me. That said, I have a quick question - I have a 2017 AWD RDX (tech package) and noticed today that the steering wheel seems to have gotten a little stiffer when doing a low speed turn. I am aware that the RDX has electronic steering, and I brought it to the dealer to get t checked at and they said nothing wrong it it. But I swear, the drive seems off. But with no warning lights on or anything, they said that there is nothing to be done with it. My car is only two months old and I remember the selling point to me was how smooth it is when turning. Now it feels like there is more resistance when I turn. Am I just going crazy? Normally for non-electronic steering, I would guess it needs power steering fluid or something, but with the RDX, there is no need for any of that. And it should drive like 'butter.' I checked the tire pressure and they are at 30 PSI. So I have no idea.. it is getting colder here in terms of weather, so could that be one of the reasons? Anyway, thanks for your time and I appreciate any input you have.
I am new to this forum and totally a newbie when it comes to cars, so please bear with me. That said, I have a quick question - I have a 2017 AWD RDX (tech package) and noticed today that the steering wheel seems to have gotten a little stiffer when doing a low speed turn. I am aware that the RDX has electronic steering, and I brought it to the dealer to get t checked at and they said nothing wrong it it. But I swear, the drive seems off. But with no warning lights on or anything, they said that there is nothing to be done with it. My car is only two months old and I remember the selling point to me was how smooth it is when turning. Now it feels like there is more resistance when I turn. Am I just going crazy? Normally for non-electronic steering, I would guess it needs power steering fluid or something, but with the RDX, there is no need for any of that. And it should drive like 'butter.' I checked the tire pressure and they are at 30 PSI. So I have no idea.. it is getting colder here in terms of weather, so could that be one of the reasons? Anyway, thanks for your time and I appreciate any input you have.
The following 2 users liked this post by justnspace:
AZuser (11-03-2017),
chiliwings (11-06-2017)
11-03-2017, 02:28 PM
#4
30PSI is on the low end, i think the threshold for TPMS is 28PSI..
Fill them tires up!
Fill them tires up!
The following 2 users liked this post by AZuser:
chiliwings (11-06-2017),
justnspace (11-03-2017)
11-03-2017, 02:38 PM
#6
LOL what the?
11-03-2017, 02:55 PM
#7
Moderator
MODERATOR NOTE: Merged for 
Trending Topics
11-03-2017, 02:56 PM
#8
Moderator
2ND MODERATOR NOTE: Moved to model-specific forum.
11-03-2017, 06:55 PM
#9
Pro
The proper tire pressures are 35 PSI on the front and 33 PSI on the rear. So yes, inflating the tires to the higher pressure may make it easier to turn the wheel.
A more likely problem is that your battery was not completely charged. Perhaps you were driving at slow speeds with the heater, lights, radio, etc all running and the alternator couldn't keep up with the load at those speeds. The power steering in the RDX is electrical (EPS), and it consumes very large amounts of current, probably more than any other device in the vehicle. If your battery had been run down, that would explain the reduction in power assist.
Another reason could be that you recently drove another vehicle which had more steering assist than the RDX and the RDX just appears to take more force than you remembered.
A more likely problem is that your battery was not completely charged. Perhaps you were driving at slow speeds with the heater, lights, radio, etc all running and the alternator couldn't keep up with the load at those speeds. The power steering in the RDX is electrical (EPS), and it consumes very large amounts of current, probably more than any other device in the vehicle. If your battery had been run down, that would explain the reduction in power assist.
Another reason could be that you recently drove another vehicle which had more steering assist than the RDX and the RDX just appears to take more force than you remembered.
The following users liked this post:
chiliwings (11-06-2017)