Have you ever felt the steering wheel become heavy when turning? Not only does it make your hands sore, but it can also be a sign that something is wrong with the steering system. If it happens suddenly on the road, especially when you need to maneuver quickly, it can cause panic and even be dangerous.

A heavy steering wheel isn’t just about making driving uncomfortable. More than that, it can compromise safety. Because if the steering is difficult to move, the response becomes slow, the vehicle is hard to control, and the risk of an accident increases.

Whether your car has a hydraulic or electric steering system, you should be aware if the steering wheel starts to feel heavy. The sooner it is checked, the lower the risk of further damage and the safer you will be on the road. Imagine if this happened while driving fast on the highway or when you need to avoid a sudden obstacle. The danger is clearly greater.

Understand the Types of Power Steering in Cars

Generally, there are two types of power steering used in cars:

Hydraulic Power Steering (HPS)

This system uses a hydraulic pump and oil to lighten the steering wheel. It is commonly found in older car models or commercial vehicles. If your car uses this system, don't forget to regularly change the power steering oil. Don't wait until the steering wheel feels heavy!

Electric Power Steering (EPS)

This is a more modern technology. It uses an electric motor and sensors to assist in steering. The advantages? It’s more efficient, requires minimal maintenance, and doesn’t need special power steering fluid.

Causes of Heavy Steering

There are several common causes that often make the steering feel heavy:

1. Weak Power Steering Pump. A worn-out pump can’t provide maximum hydraulic pressure. As a result, the steering wheel feels heavier than usual.
2. Power Steering Fluid Issues. If the fluid is dirty, thickened, or low in volume, the power steering system won’t function optimally. This is one of the most common causes.
3. Small Leaks in the Hydraulic System. Sometimes the leak is so small it’s barely noticeable, but it’s enough to reduce pressure and make the steering wheel feel heavy.
4. EPS Motor or Sensor Malfunction. If your vehicle uses EPS, the issue usually stems from the electric motor or sensor. This could be due to a faulty component or an error in the electronic system.

How to Address Heavy Steering

If the steering wheel starts feeling heavy, don’t delay in taking it to a workshop. Typically, the mechanic will:

• Check the level and condition of the power steering fluid
• Look for signs of leaks in the hoses or pump
• Inspect the power steering pump and steering rack
• If it’s EPS, perform a scan to check for error codes and the condition of electronic components

The sooner it’s checked, the safer your vehicle will be on the road!

Indonesia 🇮🇩

Apakah kamu pernah merasakan setir mobil jadi berat saat mau belok? Bukan cuma bikin tangan pegal, tapi ini juga bisa jadi tanda ada yang nggak beres di sistem kemudi. Kalau terjadi mendadak di jalan, apalagi saat butuh manuver cepat, bisa bikin panik bahkan berbahaya.

Setir yang berat nggak cuma soal bikin nyetir jadi nggak nyaman. Lebih dari itu, ini bisa mengorbankan faktor keselamatan. Soalnya kalau kemudi susah digerakkan, responsnya jadi lambat, kendaraan susah dikendalikan, dan risiko kecelakaan pun meningkat.

Baik mobil dengan sistem kemudi hidraulis atau elektrik, kita harus peka kalau setir mulai berat. Makin cepat diperiksa, makin kecil risiko kerusakan lanjutan dan makin aman di jalan. Coba bayangkan kalau ini kejadian saat lagi melaju kencang di tol atau harus hindari rintangan mendadak. Bahayanya jelas lebih besar.

Kenali Jenis Power Steering di Mobil

Secara umum, ada dua jenis power steering yang dipakai di mobil:

Hydraulic Power Steering (HPS)

Sistem ini pakai pompa hidrolik dan oli buat meringankan setir. Biasanya ada di mobil-mobil model lama atau mobil niaga. Kalau pakai ini, jangan lupa untuk rutin ganti oli power steering. Jangan tunggu sampai setir terasa berat dulu!

Electric Power Steering (EPS)

Ini teknologi yang lebih modern. Pakai motor listrik dan sensor untuk membantu meringankan setir. Keuntungannya? Lebih efisien, minim perawatan, dan nggak butuh oli khusus power steering.

Penyebab Setir Mobil Jadi Berat

Ada beberapa penyebab umum yang sering bikin setir terasa berat:

1. Pompa Power Steering Melemah. Pompa yang sudah aus nggak bisa kasih tekanan hidrolik maksimal. Akhirnya setir jadi lebih berat dari biasanya.
2. Oli Power Steering Bermasalah. Kalau oli kotor, mengental, atau volumenya kurang, kerja power steering jadi nggak optimal. Ini salah satu penyebab paling sering ditemui.
3. Kebocoran Kecil di Sistem Hidraulis. Kadang bocornya kecil banget sampai nggak kelihatan, tapi cukup bikin tekanan turun dan bikin setir terasa berat.
4. Motor atau Sensor EPS Rusak. Kalau mobil kamu pakai EPS, masalah biasanya datang dari motor listrik atau sensornya. Bisa karena komponen rusak atau error di sistem elektronik.

Cara Mengatasi Setir Berat

Kalau setir mulai berat, jangan tunda buat cek ke bengkel. Biasanya mekanik akan:

• Cek level dan kondisi oli power steering
• Cari tanda-tanda kebocoran di selang atau pompa
• Periksa pompa power steering dan rack steer
• Kalau EPS, lakukan scanning buat cek error code dan kondisi komponen elektronik

Makin cepat dicek, makin aman mobil kamu di jalan!