The March 2001 Car&Driver article (pg 83) states:

"The crowning touch, we think, is the replacement of the TL's speed-sensitive power-steering assist with a torque-sensitive system that offers much better road feel to the enthusiast driver."

What is "Torque-sensitive" power steering? How will it work? I assume at low engine torque times, the power assist will be high, and then at high torque times it will be less assisted. (Parallel parking, low engine torque, high power steering assist.) Is that right?

But what about when you are coasting down a hill, foot not even on the gas pedal, high vehicle speed, but low engine torque. In that situation, would power assist be high? (Eeeek!! A slight turn of the wheel, and you drift off the road.) Conversely, when I am turning onto the street, low vehicle speed, but high engine torque, then the power steering assist would be low, hard to turn the wheel. That doesn't sound good either.

Anyone know how this system really works, because I am an engineer, and this has me stumped.

 

I to am an engineering type, and this smells of the marketing folks' ignorance. I am sure they mean speed-sensitive.

 

The torque-sensing is the torque you the driver is applying to the steering wheel-not the engine torque.GM calls their version Magasteer.

 

OIC. Now that is so obvious. Thanks! I never thought it would mean THAT torque, since that is what is assisted by the power steering feature. Must be some type of "looped" circuit. Cool!

 

I'm still lost. Can somebody explain in idiot terms the difference between Torque-sensing and speed-sensing steering? tnx

 

Five year old thread revived!

 

From what I remember...

On speed-sensitive, the power steering assist boost is relative to the vehicle speed.

On torque-sensitive, the power steering assist boost is relative to the engine speed (RPM).

It's all possible by a variable-ratio power steering pump that can vary the force of hydraulic pressure to increase or decrease steering assist.


But I'm not 100% sure, so don't quote me.

 

Or does torque-sensitive mean there is a sensor to detect how much resistance wheels get from road surface while turning?

 

Here is the explanation of speed-sensitive:

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/at_010327.htm

Here is the explanation of torque-sensitive from Honda:

Source: http://www.hondanews.com/CatID2006?m...36652&mime=asc



Now maybe this 5 year old thread can

 

Thanks 03C, it now makes the perfect sense. I guess I wasn't using the right search terms. RIP

 

all i know is that in my 96 TL when i hit the gas (even at speed) i get torque steer pretty bad. especially noticable on the interstate when i drop a gear and stomp it. course it also breaks traction to the front tires half the time when i do this...

 

Almost 7 year old thread brought back from the dead.....a 2nd time!