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Does anyone know how to turn off variable power steering?

Discussion in 'VT - VX Holden Commodore (1997 - 2002)' started by Milesvtcalais, May 14, 2020 at 5:57 PM.

  1. May 14, 2020 at 5:57 PM #1
    Milesvtcalais

    Milesvtcalais Member

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    Hi all, kinda had a bit of a scare today, story was I was coming out of a woolies car park and it was absolutely pissing down with rain and I couldn't see ****, I was waiting for a safe time to exit and the prick behind me kept beeping his horn at me trying to make me go, long story short I gave it too it and it cut loose sideways (stupid I know but I was mad) like full lock sideways and I went to correct it but the steering was super heavy, heavier than when I started the skid. I'd imagine this is due to the Calais standard valvatronic power steering because its speed sensitive and I was thinking it made the steering super heavy due to the wheel speed being 80km/h.
    Just wondering if my claim is correct and if so is there anyway to turn it off so it will be like a normal commodore steering wise?
    Thanks all
     
    Milesvtcalais, May 14, 2020 at 5:57 PM
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  2. May 14, 2020 at 6:59 PM #2
    BlackVXGTS

    BlackVXGTS Well-Known Member

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    The speed sensitive power steering effort is related to car speed not wheel (spin) speed. Don't be an idiot and let other people (idiots) influence your behaviour in a car.
     
    BlackVXGTS, May 14, 2020 at 6:59 PM
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  3. May 14, 2020 at 8:10 PM #3
    Milesvtcalais

    Milesvtcalais Member

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    I understand it's related to the cars speed not the "wheel spin speed" but I thought the speed the car thinks your going is determined by your rear wheels. That's my question, did the power steering stiffen up because the car thought it was doing 80km/h or is my idea false.
    Feel free to correct me it's just an idea that I don't know the answer to
     
    Milesvtcalais, May 14, 2020 at 8:10 PM
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  4. May 15, 2020 at 2:45 PM #4
    falcodore

    falcodore Member

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    I would've thought the opposite. Your car thought you were doing 80km/h that's why your steering went hard.

    Surely it can't be determined by actual speed, as that could only be determined by GPS.
     
    falcodore, May 15, 2020 at 2:45 PM
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  5. May 15, 2020 at 2:53 PM #5
    gossie

    gossie Well-Known Member

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    Whew.
     
    gossie, May 15, 2020 at 2:53 PM
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  6. May 15, 2020 at 7:42 PM #6
    BlackVXGTS

    BlackVXGTS Well-Known Member

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    I think there is a misconception here. The speed sensitive power steering provides extra assistance at lower parking-type speeds. At higher speeds it just provides the normal amount of power assistance - the same as other model Commodores.

    The only time I have had a similar experience to what you described is with my wife's VS Clubsport (non-speed sensitive steering) going around a roundabout when the car was cold. Since it did happen consistently, I thought it could have been caused by belt slip, low power steering fluid, or the (original) power steering pump on its way out. Anyway, the belt was adjusted OK, I topped up the power steering fluid, and haven't had a problem since.
     
    BlackVXGTS, May 15, 2020 at 7:42 PM
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    Milesvtcalais likes this.
  7. May 16, 2020 at 8:53 PM #7
    Milesvtcalais

    Milesvtcalais Member

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    Seems like you and your wife have a good taste in cars
    It's not an issue that really needs to be fixed its just something I was curious about
    Thank you for the information though, maybe it was just a surge of fluid because it was a quick turn and that's why the steering went super hard instead of the light calais steering like I was expecting, to be honest it went from super light to a similar type of steering ergonomics as my dads 220i senator which feels nice and stiff all the time ‍♂️
     
    Milesvtcalais, May 16, 2020 at 8:53 PM
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  8. May 17, 2020 at 5:05 PM #8
    BlackVXGTS

    BlackVXGTS Well-Known Member

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    Some HSV wheels and tyres will fix your super light steering (and look much nicer).
     
    BlackVXGTS, May 17, 2020 at 5:05 PM
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