power steering lighter in Indica Xeta than in Turbo

greenhorn · 22nd September 2008, 19:36

Drove a friend's xeta, and got noticed how light the controls feel. The lighter clutch I can understand, same of the much better feel of the gearbox, but the power steering was substantially lighter. how can the feel of a power steering change with the engine type?
Is it because of the 14" wheels i have ( xeta has 13")
is it because of the weight of the diesel engine ?

or do i need to get my steering checked ?

trrk · 22nd September 2008, 19:43

Hi greenhorn,

> is it because of the weight of the diesel engine ?

Could be!

> or do i need to get my steering checked ?

Why don't you try another model similar to yours?

I don't feel the power steering in my Marina is heavy!

greenhorn · 22nd September 2008, 19:46

I didnt feel my steering heavy in an absolute sense, but this one felt lighter. Have my third service coming up this week, will ask them to check anyway

hrag · 22nd September 2008, 20:01

The petrol's steering does feel lighter - no cause for worry unless you find your car's steering heavier than another turbo's.

bottle · 22nd September 2008, 21:30

probably because of the tiny engine. xeta is a nice enough car to drive though

itwasntme · 23rd September 2008, 09:20

Probably the same PS unit serves both the Xeta and the Diesels. With the Xeta's lighter engine (especially the 1.2 GLE, GLS and GLG) and smaller 13" wheels, there will certainly be a perceptible difference.

greenhorn · 26th September 2008, 20:58

Problem solved. seems there was something wrong with the Power steering after all. Was detected and fixed when i took it to the TASS!

sugam · 16th January 2009, 21:16

Hi All
I have an Indica Xeta 1.2L GLS.
Recently I noticed that when I turn the steering towards the extreme right or left sides, I hear a motorised sound and the engine RPM dips down to about 400 to 500 RPMs. This thing happens till the time I hold the steering in one of the extreme directions (completely left or right).

I don't think there's anything wrong with my power steering. Was just wondering if someone well versed with the wonderful Tata Motors engineering could explain the phenomenon to me??

Thanks
Sugam.

ilangop · 21st January 2009, 14:12

Hi Sugam,
You are right. You can hear this phenomenon on any Hydraulic assisted power steering vehicle. When the steering system reaches the extremes, the hydraulic valves are at full open condition during which the assisting system let oil at its maximum flow rate. Since the steering system has reached its limits and cant move further, the pressure built by the Hydrauic pump reaches the maximum to crack open the pressure relief valve inside the pump.

This means that the pump operates at the maximum pressure condition and zero output flow. All the pumped oil is returned back to the reservoir. Engine feels as an over load due to the overload on the pump.

Finally this sound and fall in engine RPM is no harm either to the pump or to the engine. The ECU controlled engines immediately stabile to the idle RPM as soon as the RPM falls down due to the pump over loading.

Nothing to worry about this and enjoy your ride.

-Ilango

xandercage · 30th December 2009, 12:41

A noteworthy point.. The hydraulic steering does feel a lot lighter at high speeds and I must add that this kinda scared me during my drive back to Pune from Baroda on NH8..

Anything wrong or its just the high speed?

BTW: I was clocking only around 120Kmph

22nd September 2008, 19:36	#1
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,402 Times View My Garage	power steering lighter in Indica Xeta than in Turbo Drove a friend's xeta, and got noticed how light the controls feel. The lighter clutch I can understand, same of the much better feel of the gearbox, but the power steering was substantially lighter. how can the feel of a power steering change with the engine type? Is it because of the 14" wheels i have ( xeta has 13") is it because of the weight of the diesel engine ? or do i need to get my steering checked ?
	() Thanks

22nd September 2008, 19:43	#2
trrk Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Alleppey, Kerala Posts: 2,114 Thanked: 34 Times View My Garage	Hi greenhorn, > is it because of the weight of the diesel engine ? Could be! > or do i need to get my steering checked ? Why don't you try another model similar to yours? I don't feel the power steering in my Marina is heavy!
	() Thanks

22nd September 2008, 19:46	#3
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,402 Times View My Garage	I didnt feel my steering heavy in an absolute sense, but this one felt lighter. Have my third service coming up this week, will ask them to check anyway
	() Thanks

22nd September 2008, 20:01	#4
hrag BANNED Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bangalore / Madras Posts: 1,982 Thanked: 31 Times	The petrol's steering does feel lighter - no cause for worry unless you find your car's steering heavier than another turbo's.
	() Thanks

22nd September 2008, 21:30	#5
bottle Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,634 Thanked: 274 Times View My Garage	probably because of the tiny engine. xeta is a nice enough car to drive though
	() Thanks

23rd September 2008, 09:20	#6
itwasntme Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: BANGALORE Posts: 6,984 Thanked: 12,541 Times View My Garage	Probably the same PS unit serves both the Xeta and the Diesels. With the Xeta's lighter engine (especially the 1.2 GLE, GLS and GLG) and smaller 13" wheels, there will certainly be a perceptible difference.
	() Thanks

26th September 2008, 20:58	#7
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,402 Times View My Garage	Problem solved. seems there was something wrong with the Power steering after all. Was detected and fixed when i took it to the TASS!
	() Thanks

16th January 2009, 21:16	#8
sugam BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 98 Thanked: 94 Times	Hi All I have an Indica Xeta 1.2L GLS. Recently I noticed that when I turn the steering towards the extreme right or left sides, I hear a motorised sound and the engine RPM dips down to about 400 to 500 RPMs. This thing happens till the time I hold the steering in one of the extreme directions (completely left or right). I don't think there's anything wrong with my power steering. Was just wondering if someone well versed with the wonderful Tata Motors engineering could explain the phenomenon to me?? Thanks Sugam.
	() Thanks

21st January 2009, 14:12	#9
ilangop BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 992 Thanked: 903 Times View My Garage	Hi Sugam, You are right. You can hear this phenomenon on any Hydraulic assisted power steering vehicle. When the steering system reaches the extremes, the hydraulic valves are at full open condition during which the assisting system let oil at its maximum flow rate. Since the steering system has reached its limits and cant move further, the pressure built by the Hydrauic pump reaches the maximum to crack open the pressure relief valve inside the pump. This means that the pump operates at the maximum pressure condition and zero output flow. All the pumped oil is returned back to the reservoir. Engine feels as an over load due to the overload on the pump. Finally this sound and fall in engine RPM is no harm either to the pump or to the engine. The ECU controlled engines immediately stabile to the idle RPM as soon as the RPM falls down due to the pump over loading. Nothing to worry about this and enjoy your ride. -Ilango
	() Thanks

30th December 2009, 12:41	#10
xandercage Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 6 Thanked: 0 Times	A noteworthy point.. The hydraulic steering does feel a lot lighter at high speeds and I must add that this kinda scared me during my drive back to Pune from Baroda on NH8.. Anything wrong or its just the high speed? BTW: I was clocking only around 120Kmph
	() Thanks