Adaptive Steering at Speed
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 108
Likes: 9
Adaptive Steering at Speed
The feeling of the steering seems to be reversed from what I would expect. Not in respect the the number of wheel turns to lock but the effort to turn the wheel.
I find the adaptive steering to be very heavy at slow parking lot speeds and a bit to loose on the highway.
Is there anyway to tighten it up at highway speeds?
I find the adaptive steering to be very heavy at slow parking lot speeds and a bit to loose on the highway.
Is there anyway to tighten it up at highway speeds?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,334
Likes: 306
From: Mills River
Here's how Ford says it's supposed to work:
More info.
HTH.
Jim / crewzer
The system – all contained in the steering wheel itself – has an electric motor, a small computer and a gear unit. Based on driver input and vehicle speed, adaptive steering can add or subtract rotations to driver input at the steering wheel. Up to one full revolution can be saved at low speeds when steering lock-to-lock.
At low speeds, the system increases the angle of the front wheels as the steering wheel is turned – resulting in the driver needing to steer less to maneuver, explains Lodewijk Wijffels, Ford adaptive steering technical specialist. “At high speeds, the ratio is changed in such a way that vehicle response is more relaxed, more precise, and smoother than without the system,” he says.
At low speeds, the system increases the angle of the front wheels as the steering wheel is turned – resulting in the driver needing to steer less to maneuver, explains Lodewijk Wijffels, Ford adaptive steering technical specialist. “At high speeds, the ratio is changed in such a way that vehicle response is more relaxed, more precise, and smoother than without the system,” he says.
HTH.
Jim / crewzer
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Upstate, NY
The steering wheel is attached to a motor assembly and serves as an input to the system (along with vehicle speed and readings from sensors at the front wheels which measure the actual direction the wheels are pointing). An algorithm is applied to to determine how many turns the output side of the motor should apply to the actual steering shaft based upon speed.
I will have to go back and read the patent again but I suspect any steering feel is created by the motor itself and therefor should be able to be changed via the algorithm.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Bothell Wa
I've heard a lot of complaints about adaptive steering and here's my take. It's so seemless you don't even know it's there which is great. I think it's awesome with slower speed driving and parking situations and I'm glad I ordered it! As far as the heavy steering, I have no complaints and effort is on par with my 2008 pathfinder suv. Mostly I think it matters what people are used to but I see no problems at all!
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 108
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 451
Likes: 41
From: Carstairs Alberta Canada
I like the adaptive steering most of the time except it is very heavy when maneuvering in a tight spot
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,775
Likes: 7
From: Lewisberry, Penn
Looking at the patent, it appears that there is not a mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the rest of the steering system. The electric motor sits in between.
The steering wheel is attached to a motor assembly and serves as an input to the system (along with vehicle speed and readings from sensors at the front wheels which measure the actual direction the wheels are pointing). An algorithm is applied to to determine how many turns the output side of the motor should apply to the actual steering shaft based upon speed.
I will have to go back and read the patent again but I suspect any steering feel is created by the motor itself and therefor should be able to be changed via the algorithm.
The steering wheel is attached to a motor assembly and serves as an input to the system (along with vehicle speed and readings from sensors at the front wheels which measure the actual direction the wheels are pointing). An algorithm is applied to to determine how many turns the output side of the motor should apply to the actual steering shaft based upon speed.
I will have to go back and read the patent again but I suspect any steering feel is created by the motor itself and therefor should be able to be changed via the algorithm.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Upstate, NY
The steering wheel is connected via the adaptive steering, but it's not like on a F150 or passenger car where it's a electronic power steering that can manipulate the steering pressure like a sport mode, comfort mode, etc. What it does is change the steering ratio. The wheel is connected to the steering via the adaptive steering module, but it's a mechanical connection the entire time, just one which can be adjusted. At least that's my understanding.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,775
Likes: 7
From: Lewisberry, Penn
I've held the parts, but it was several months ago. In my memory, the steering shaft is the center gear and then you have a ring gear around that. The motor can advance or retard the steering wheels turn into the the steering shaft. It sounds much more complex than it is in reality. The best ideas are simple ones. I'm too lazy to search, but i priced the part out once and posted it on the forum, I think the whole thing cost less than $200 as a replacement unit, gear and motor. It all tucks in the steering wheel.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 8
From: Over Yonder, MN
Frantz is correct, think of the motor in the steering wheel like a multiplayer for your own steering efforts. At low speeds, when you turn the wheel, the motor turns in the same direction. So for every 1 turn of the wheel, the steering shaft rotates twice. I'm not sure if that's the true ratio, but you get the idea. Then at highway speed, the motor just locks into position and provides no extra rotations. Again, i'm not sure if it actually locks completely up, but again... you get the idea.
This also explains why it's harder to turn at low speeds, you are loosing mechanical advantage. It's like sticking your bicycle in high gear, it's a lot harder to pedal.
This also explains why it's harder to turn at low speeds, you are loosing mechanical advantage. It's like sticking your bicycle in high gear, it's a lot harder to pedal.
