Power Steering

6198 Views 12 Replies 9 Participants Last post by II kings 9:20, Mar 21, 2005

bryanb

Discussion Starter · Dec 20, 2004

Michigan weather has dropped below zero these last couple of days. With saying that my 300C power steering seems to become manual steering all by itself. After the car warms up it appears the steering get's better but not the way it was in the summer. My friend is also experiencing this problem with his 300C. Any ideas what the problem may be before I take it to a dealer and hear their ideas? Also anyone in Michigan near the Sterling Heights area that could recommend a good dealer to take my car to? The few I have taken it to are not very concerned about keeping my interior clean when they service it!

Save

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

Cdnhemi

· #2 · Dec 20, 2004

bryanb said:
Michigan weather has dropped below zero these last couple of days. With saying that my 300C power steering seems to become manual steering all by itself. After the car warms up it appears the steering get's better but not the way it was in the summer. My friend is also experiencing this problem with his 300C. Any ideas what the problem may be before I take it to a dealer and hear their ideas? Also anyone in Michigan near the Sterling Heights area that could recommend a good dealer to take my car to? The few I have taken it to are not very concerned about keeping my interior clean when they service it!

Hey it's cold what do you expect? Once the car warms up it's OK but will never be as free wheeling as when it is summer. It's the price you pay for living in a colder climate. The nice thing about cold weather it sure keeps the mosquitos down.

Save

II kings 9:20

· #3 · Dec 20, 2004

I also live in a cold climate, -1F this morning and none of my cars have any change in steering related to temp. Perhaps a little stiffening is to be expected but it should never feel as if it's manual steering. Is the correct fluid in the pw steering? Over the years even my beater cars don't stiffen up when cold. I do keep mine in the garage but at work it sits outside 8hrs+ with NO change in the pw steering. I would have the dealer check it but don't expect much except a dirty interior (request that they use seat and floor protection. Most dealer's (mine is ok) are not too impressive.

Save

bryanb

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 20, 2004

Power steering

I haven't noticed this in any other vehicle I currently own or have owned either. II Kings - I am not sure if it is the right fluid or not I haven't changed or added fluid to it since I bought it and it goes to the dealer for all maintenance and service. I guess I will check with the dealer and see what they have to say! Don't get me wrong this is one great automobile and haven't had any problems with it (knock on wood) just wondering if this was normal or not for this vehicle.

Save

jeffp

· #5 · Dec 21, 2004

I think we're all seeing that effect with the real cold weather onset. It seems more the Conti tires getting stiff, more so than the steering gear/fluid. The ride is stiffer and with more road/tire noise with the colder weather. Unless you're really having to muscle to make turns, I wouldn't bring it in for a service call (they'd probably mess it up at worst, or at best tell you no problem found).

Save

II kings 9:20

· #6 · Dec 21, 2004 (Edited)

After sitting out all day at work 1-19F the ride is stiffer and steering slower but not significantly,jeffp is right, reminds me of a manual transmission car with a stiff feel until the gearbox oil warms up, a good reason to go to synthetic ps fluid when you are due to change. If yours is excessively stiff I wonder if the wrong fluid is in there from the factory, stranger things have happened. The fewer trips to the dealer (unless really needed) the lower the chance of having FUBAR (fouled up beyond all recognition).

Save

arnoldw

· #7 · Dec 21, 2004

bryanb said:
I haven't noticed this in any other vehicle I currently own or have owned either. II Kings - I am not sure if it is the right fluid or not I haven't changed or added fluid to it since I bought it and it goes to the dealer for all maintenance and service. I guess I will check with the dealer and see what they have to say! Don't get me wrong this is one great automobile and haven't had any problems with it (knock on wood) just wondering if this was normal or not for this vehicle.

I'd say it's normal. It was -28c here the other day and it was STIFF but loosened up after I turned the wheel back and forth a few times and let it warm up a bit. I would never go to the dealer for something like that.

Save

300crocks

· #8 · Mar 20, 2005

Yes and if the weather stays cold outside, the steering never gets as good as when it was summer. It does get alittle better, but not that much.
I am thinking it is something to do with the power steering fluid that is not tested for such low temperatures.

Save

Northern Rider

· #9 · Mar 20, 2005 (Edited)

Mercedes rack and pinion and Conti self seals make for a stiff steer in the cold. I'm talking -30 celcius. these issues went away when I replaced the Contis with Pirelli Scorpions and the car got over 4000 miles on it.

It will take a bit more effort at first, when cold, but hardly noticable. I love the steering on this car. It's the best I've ever had on a daily driver.

Save

Jerry M.

· #10 · Mar 20, 2005

According to the manual, the power steering fluid that is used is the same as the trans fluid. I wonder if this has anything to do with the stiffness.

Save