Stiff Steering in Cold Weather

jasch1124 · January 6, 2016

I live in New York and this morning the temp read 16 degrees in the truck. I noticed the steering was noticeably stiffer. Even after a 10 minute remote start and 15 minutes of driving it continued to feel this way. When I left work in the late afternoon is was 26 degrees and the steering felt the same as it did in the morning. I've lived in NY my whole life and never experienced this in any other car I've owned.

Being it's my first winter with my truck I have to ask-does anyone else experience this or is my issue completely unrelated to the weather?

J-man67 · January 6, 2016

It's weather. I noticed today on my truck, but I'm pretty sure every car gets a little stiff when that cold. My parking brake felt really weird this morning too..?

chevy15 · January 6, 2016

thank you! I thought it was just me...noticed it as well. went away after a few minutes of driving

TJay74 · January 6, 2016

It is normal, the truck has electric power steering (EPS) and this is a normal issue when the temps drop under 35°.

wsk3 · January 6, 2016

My 2014 was stiff its first winter, it is not as stiff this winter, feels more like it did when new.

Victory14red · January 6, 2016

My 2014 feels really stiff in,the extreme cold too. I think it may be the nature of the 100% electric power steering.I assume since there is no pump that they probably use either grease or heavy oil in the steering gear instead of hydraulic fluid and hence would be more susceptible to extreme temps

jasch1124 · January 7, 2016

Today it was around 30 degrees and the steering was back to normal. Thank you all for your replies-saved me a trip to a dealership.

SMiller · January 7, 2016

It's weather. I noticed today on my truck, but I'm pretty sure every car gets a little stiff when that cold. My parking brake felt really weird this morning too..?

Steering doesn't get stiff when using GM cold weather power steering fluid.

Firefighter411 · January 7, 2016

I live in PA and it was 13 degrees the other morning and the first few turns in the morning have been stiffer lately. Once it warms up its good

Victory14red · January 8, 2016

Steering doesn't get stiff when using GM cold weather power steering fluid.

No power steering fluid in the 14+ models. There is no power steering pump as it's 100% electric

akkrezz · January 8, 2016

I live in Alaska and the coldest I've driven my truck in is -40 degrees. I have never experienced any stiff steering or braking. I'd probably get it checked out if i were you. And the average temperature i drive in is -10 to -20 in the winter time where I live and never experience it.

RVJ · January 6, 2017

Mine is very stiff, even to a point that it feels like manual steering. I have a 15 mile drive to work and it never gets easy to steer. Been 30 degrees or colder since I bought it so it may loosen up when it gets a little warmer.

Sean Neilan · January 6, 2017

I'm in NY too and notice no difference in steering due to temp. Maybe a slight difference if I'm in auto 4x but that could just be in my head.

dorkweed · January 6, 2017

JFYI, 16*F isn't COLD.

nluchau · January 6, 2017

I live in ND and was going to post about this same exact thing. I have a 16 Silverado z71 5.3 and the last couple days its been almost -20 F and the steering is really stiff. It gets better as it warms up. I chalked it up as "normal".