Deleted member 53226
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On a related topic, this is exactly why self driving cars are an absolute disaster waiting to happen. Imagine the software freezing up at 75 mph on the highway while you're snoozing. Good Lord.
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I think were all in awe about the steering ..I drive buses for a living... 50,000 pound ones, and even those turn while ur in motion ..of course not all that easy without power steering but once u slow down and stop a regular person wouldn't be able turn that steering wheel, it has to roll at least a certain speed , I would say about 5mph at least , even so, quick turns are impossible without power to the steering. I steered my car rolling (acc off) into my parking space and it felt a bit heavier then steering my Honda with no power . Almost no difference though. I don't think that wranglers have collision avoidance steering (forgot what they call it but u get the idea) so I can't even imagine what mechanism might have done what u explainedIn the JL the computer controls the vast majority of electrical power distribution. No computer means the electrical power is not going were and how it should. Hence MALFUNCTIONING / HAYWIRE/ CRAZED failure of the computer=all but NO brakes because without the computer directing electrical power to the appropriate brakes systems the brakes are hugely diminished especially at freeway speeds. So to keep it simple NO computer NO properly working brakes.
Its one thing to try a “dead stick stop” “no power stop” in a relatively safe environment at very low speed with a working vehicle. Its an entirely another thing to do it with at high speed in a dangerous environment and with all your other major control systems malfunction at the same time.
I find it interesting the focus of comments are more worried about the brakes then the steering. Had this last incident happen on a turn at the speed we where traveling, with the greatly inhibited steering, even fully functioning brakes would not have helped avoid a crash.
And this is one of the things that has me concerned. I have driven other SUVs and large sedans when failures of the power steering have occurred and not one has ever been this heavy to steer.I think were all in awe about the steering ..I drive buses for a living... 50,000 pound ones, and even those turn while ur in motion ..of course not all that easy without power steering but once u slow down and stop a regular person wouldn't be able turn that steering wheel, it has to roll at least a certain speed , I would say about 5mph at least , even so, quick turns are impossible without power to the steering. I steered my car rolling (acc off) into my parking space and it felt a bit heavier then steering my Honda with no power . Almost no difference though. I don't think that wranglers have collision avoidance steering (forgot what they call it but u get the idea) so I can't even imagine what mechanism might have done what u explained
Is this even a think on the JL?Also keep in mind there was no stable power and turning the wheel to far could have engaged the “parked” wheel lock with no way to unlock it.
It was on my JK and has been on all my past Jeep’s, cars and trucks I have ever owned or operated so in my thinking at the MOMENT everything was happening it was a real possibility that the steering wheel could lock.Is this even a think on the JL?
No. Go to the garage and check yours.Possibly yes
Just tried it so it seems that it doesn't lock after all (just my observation) apart from the fact the fob was to far the car to detect it when I did the test it still doesn't absolutely disprove that it cant lock. It would take disconnecting the batteries to be absolutely sure . The older key cars can lock up if u pull the key or something goes wrong with the system in steering column.. This also make me nervous because anyone can sit in ur car and just push and steer it away onto a truck bed without making much noise.Is this even a think on the JL?
I did ur probably correct . I didn't disconnect the battery though. Not worth itNo. Go to the garage and check yours.
That's to be expected. The old cars that didn't have power steering, had some mechanical advantages built in. For example a larger diameter steering wheel gives you more torque to turn the wheels. Likewise a larger gear (or pinion) diameter will require less force to move the rack. With new cars being dependent upon the power assist they don't build those advantages in anymore.....The steering was far heavier then vintage 1960 non power truck steering. One would think it would be at least better then that. Nope not without electrical power.
........ there is still a mechanical link to the steering wheel and brake pedal. It's not like the throttle where the gas pedal is just a sensor with wires coming out. At least not yet
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The reason the steering and braking are still physically linked to the driver is because NHTSA said it has to be. They do that for cases just like this. It may suck to maneuver without power, but it can be done. If it were completely electronic you'd be free rolling with no way to do anything about it but brace for impact. A failsafe may not be ideal, but it's better than nothing.One would think the NHTSA would require some sort of stopping distance and steering effort spec when a vehicle is "off". .....