Thanks for the info. My biggest concern regarding safety is high speed, wondering if it makes the steering so that a slight movement in the steering wheel wouldn't jerk the truck too quickly one way or another. Or does it act as if there is no adaptive steering at high speeds? Just for low speeds?

 

Yes, a slight movement of the steering wheel will not jerk the truck as much. Reaction time will be the same. The magnitude of the reaction will be less. I think that can be considered not jerking the truck too quickly.

 

You guys are correct..... It still didn't feel amazing when pulling in and out of tight spots. I would also like to say, maybe, just maybe this is subjective.....

 

The adaptive steering is awesome when backing a trailer. With less turns of the wheel, it makes that experience much better.

 

Where did you rent this vehicle? Thanks

 

For someone who is always maneuvering trailers, plowing snow and in tight confines the adaptive is excellent. Where I dont like it is the reduced sensitivity or tightness of the steering at high speeds. But that is what the o/p is wanting. I really wish the adaptive would shut off above about 40 mph. That would be perfect IMHO. Cj

 

I had a 17 without a 19 with it almost got a 21 today without. Drove another 21 with it had to have it. It drives so much better way better tracking. The ride seems smother as well. Its floats straighter over bumps. The only time didn't like Adaptive was with dual stabilizers.

 

Concur 100% and like you glad I got it! Yes, takes a bit relearning to get used to it but I like it...would order it again.

 

X 2 And for me it makes backing my trailer easier in tight spaces with a crew cap than a straight truck without.

 

Slightly off topic but this came up in a 450 FB group earlier this evening discussing adaptive steering:
One guy was concerned it was just another motor to fail stating that it was a windshield wiper sized motor.

So it begs the question for the ones that have adaptive steering and that component fails what happens? Does it simply become non adaptive steering or would it be more like the old trucks when the p/s pump went out where you could drive it but had to manhandle the wheel at low speeds?

I'm about to order a 450 so I'm all in trying to absorb as much info as I can.

 

To reiterate: Adaptive steering changes only the ratio, meaning less steering wheel turns lock-to-lock at low vehicle speed. It does not vary the amount of assist to make the steering lighter or heavier at various speeds. It also does not have anything to do with lane assist to pulse the steering wheel.

Just less steering wheel turns at what you might call parking lot speed. That's it. Nothing more.

There are various threads on this forum where the adaptive steering has failed. The steering wheel ends up about 90-degrees off center. It drives like a non-adaptive steering truck just with the steering wheel off 90-degrees.

 

Actually there is more. It is also more steering wheel turns at high speeds. Adaptive steering affects both low speed and high speed operation.

I'm not sure your comment on failure is entirely accurate. Yes, members have reported the steering wheel off center and driving fine. That doesn't mean adaptive steering is not working. It could still be changing the ratio at various speeds. The system has lost track of the straight steering wheel position. Turning off the truck and restarting usually resets the system. I don't recall reading anything about an actual motor failure. I think there have been reports of noise in the steering wheel and the motor was replaced. According to the OM, there is a warning light on the dash for the adaptive steering and if it comes on the OM instructs not to drive the truck.

 

Actually, that is not more. The ratio goes to normal, unaffected ratio at road speed. It doesn't go to a slower than fixed ratio at highway speed. It changes only at parking lot speed. It would seem to most that is perfectly obvious and requires no elaboration but I guess there are a few out there...

 

I should have reread the OM before responding. C12H24 is correct during normal operation. It is when in tow/haul mode that adaptive steering reduces the steering sensitivity at higher speeds. The OM also discusses failure modes. If the system detects a fault, the system is shut down and normal steering function will be maintained.

 

I Have found this thread interesting, especially from the view point regarding steering input at speed. I also have the lane departure stick shake. I will generally turn off the lane departure when driving around town because it gets annoying and causes vibration at wrong times such a long crack in the pavement along the path I am driving. When I do my 14 to 15 hours drives i definitely engage it. So I do think if I were going to buy a new truck, I'd get the option.

The adaptive steering function is not a must have for me, plus after reading some of the above comments, it might explain an oddity I have experienced several times. Going into a curve at speed, what I consider the proper steering input caused me to go wide. It is more prominent when entering the first curve. Each time I have been trying to figure what I did wrong or different from my normal driving habits. It is as if I giving the steering input too late into the curve, which is a little concerning towing a trailer. After reading previous posts, I am thinking the normal minor steering inputs are being somewhat dampened and I need to provide additional steering input to over come it. As for the usefulness in parking lots and the like, it has been a relearning experience to get the truck evenly between the parking space lines. The old saying about muscle memory applies here.