2016 power steering

SMiller · December 1, 2015

Stopped in and drove a '16 gas HD today, huge difference in steering, lots of assist at lower speeds and super stiff at speed, only big complaint is 15mph is the cut off from lots of assist to zero, needs to be a lot bigger spread in which the assist eases off, it is like a light switch the way it is, again the low speed assist is light and allows for easy steering but at 16mph you still need a lot of assist and the new steering gets very stiff, makes for a nice easy steering experience on the highway.

Hard to explain but again night and day difference between the old system and new.

Hopefully GM will work on the tuning of this system as I know Ford will be using it on their '16 Super Duty's as well.

Cosmic Charlie · December 2, 2015

New Old Tech ...

my 1993 Lincoln Mark 8 had variable steering that worked more or less seamless - so much for GM's new tech offerings ...

FWIW

Early 1970's luxury cars had way over powered power steering and nobody complained ... you could turn the wheel with a Q-tip - though the feel on the highway was nearly non-existant - still worked fine (for me) - the car still drove straight

SMiller · December 9, 2015

I have drove a few more '16 HD's this week and one thing I am positive on is they have a VERY annoying vacuum sound from the power steering that can be heard inside the truck, only does it at idle and off idle and goes away with rpm and steering pressure. I don't know what GM was thinking, did they even sit in one of these trucks when after they swapped the power steering???

At this point I have drove 4 '16's and they all make the noise, if you were to drive one even around a parking lot you would hear it and it would drive you nuts!

2TrakR · December 16, 2015

Like the easier steering at slow speeds on my 16 Denali HD, very noticeable over my 12 SLT, can spin the wheel with 1 finger in the parking lot maneuvers. It's a nice update.

I'm not sure I like the stiffness at higher speeds, but probably just something to get used to and hasn't really been an "issue".

Have not noticed any "vacuum" sounds at idle with mine. Will have to listen a little more closely. Saw in the manual that you are not supposed to hold the wheel at full lock for more than 15 seconds or it may break itself.

SMiller · December 17, 2015

Like the easier steering at slow speeds on my 16 Denali HD, very noticeable over my 12 SLT, can spin the wheel with 1 finger in the parking lot maneuvers. It's a nice update.

I'm not sure I like the stiffness at higher speeds, but probably just something to get used to and hasn't really been an "issue".

Have not noticed any "vacuum" sounds at idle with mine. Will have to listen a little more closely. Saw in the manual that you are not supposed to hold the wheel at full lock for more than 15 seconds or it may break itself.

If holding the wheel for 15sec breaks it I would hate to see what low speed snow plowing will do, pushing in small housing editions is brutal on the power steering and trans.

2TrakR · December 18, 2015

Noticed tonight as I was passing a line of 3 cars, around 85 as I was turning back into my lane, the steering was VERY stiff. So much, that I had difficulty getting it to turn back into my lane with the one hand I had on the wheel. So much, that when I did get it to go, I have to overcorrect to bring it back to center. Not caring for the stiffer steering at speed.

I'm sure it's like to that help drivers not make rapid input changes at speed, but it would be much nicer if was adjustable/disable/not-so-dumb.

wctieman · December 19, 2015

I have drove a few more '16 HD's this week and one thing I am positive on is they have a VERY annoying vacuum sound from the power steering that can be heard inside the truck, only does it at idle and off idle and goes away with rpm and steering pressure. I don't know what GM was thinking, did they even sit in one of these trucks when after they swapped the power steering???

At this point I have drove 4 '16's and they all make the noise, if you were to drive one even around a parking lot you would hear it and it would drive you nuts!

That explains what I'm hearing

SMiller · December 20, 2015

Wow, just read that using tow/haul mode makes the steering 10% lighter, good read.

http://m.gmc.com/gmc-life/trucks/five-advantages-of-2016-sierra-hd-digital-steering-assist-system.html

2TrakR · December 20, 2015

Now having towed (2 tons of enclosed trailer) for about 1000 miles, I'll say I'm not impressed with some of the effects. Slow speed stuff - yes, it's fantastic. Towing, with a crosswind, no, I find it's fatiguing to fight the wheel because they've made turning it "heavier" when at speed (speed = 74MPH).

Sometimes feels like it is trying to steer for you (may be that "we adjust if it they have been fighting it for a long time" situation) but most of the time it's just you making small adjustments against a heavier wheel.

Comparing directly to my 2012 towing.

Today not much crosswind and very little adjustments needed by me, so steering was not an issue. Yesterday with a gusty crosswind, it was worse than another truck. Last night through the mountains with a lot steering changes, the heavier steering was there and definitely not impressing me.

Hoping they can do a program update to give it lighter steering for more of the time.

SMiller · December 20, 2015

Now having towed (2 tons of enclosed trailer) for about 1000 miles, I'll say I'm not impressed with some of the effects. Slow speed stuff - yes, it's fantastic. Towing, with a crosswind, no, I find it's fatiguing to fight the wheel because they've made turning it "heavier" when at speed (speed = 74MPH).

Sometimes feels like it is trying to steer for you (may be that "we adjust if it they have been fighting it for a long time" situation) but most of the time it's just you making small adjustments against a heavier wheel.

Comparing directly to my 2012 towing.

Today not much crosswind and very little adjustments needed by me, so steering was not an issue. Yesterday with a gusty crosswind, it was worse than another truck. Last night through the mountains with a lot steering changes, the heavier steering was there and definitely not impressing me.

Hoping they can do a program update to give it lighter steering for more of the time.

Did you use tow/haul? I just stated that it lightens steering 10%.