Steering

[Noah Harbinger]

I know I'm not the only person who has commented on the C-Max's steering - specifically, that there does not seem to be any free play on the steering wheel, and the slightest turns of the steering wheel at freeway speeds produce a surprising degree of turning, at least relative to my previous car and others cars I have driven. I just want to add some follow up thoughts on that.

 

I think the reason this was a problem for me is that I would tend to hold the steering wheel from the bottom - one hand at 5-o-clock, the other on the seat rest, out the window, whatever. When a gust of wind or an uneven road surface produced some motion to one side, the tendency is for your hand to move in the opposite direction (just from inertia), and hence turn the wheel a little in that direction. E.g. the wind blows the car to the left, my hand moves to the right, and since I'm holding the bottom of the steering wheel, it turns the wheel counter-clockwise, further steering the car to the left. So small sideways movements would get exaggerated. 

 

When I figured that out, I started keeping my hand in the proper position, at 1 or 2 o'clock. That helps a lot, although my arms get somewhat tired on long trips. 

 

Today was the first time I really realized how much that actually dampens sideways movements as well. I was driving for a couple hours with 15-30MPH winds coming from about 10 o'clock, which was buffeting the car around madly. But the steering response, combined with the inertia of my hand, made the movements almost perfectly self-correcting. It was like magic! I tried steering with my hand at the bottom of the wheel and it was definitely much more difficult to keep a true course. 

 

Anyhow, I wonder if anyone else noticed this, how many of you are "lazy" bottom-steerers, and how many of you are "attentive" 10-and-2 steerers?

[obob]

Just today I was going along around 65 mph and avoided a big pot hole that came up real quick.  I was surprised as how hard the car moved to the right, actually thinking I could have killed myself. and equally surprised at how stable it was steering it back.  I hope not to do that again.  I basically steered it as though I were going more like 40.

  

It's like the sport version without the designation.

 

I did avoid the pot hole.  (But I think the pot holes are winning.)

Edited May 12, 2014 by obob

[plus 3 golfer]

I know I'm not the only person who has commented on the C-Max's steering - specifically, that there does not seem to be any free play on the steering wheel, and the slightest turns of the steering wheel at freeway speeds produce a surprising degree of turning, at least relative to my previous car and others cars I have driven. I just want to add some follow up thoughts on that.

 

I think the reason this was a problem for me is that I would tend to hold the steering wheel from the bottom - one hand at 5-o-clock, the other on the seat rest, out the window, whatever. When a gust of wind or an uneven road surface produced some motion to one side, the tendency is for your hand to move in the opposite direction (just from inertia), and hence turn the wheel a little in that direction. E.g. the wind blows the car to the left, my hand moves to the right, and since I'm holding the bottom of the steering wheel, it turns the wheel counter-clockwise, further steering the car to the left. So small sideways movements would get exaggerated. 

 

When I figured that out, I started keeping my hand in the proper position, at 1 or 2 o'clock. That helps a lot, although my arms get somewhat tired on long trips. 

 

Today was the first time I really realized how much that actually dampens sideways movements as well. I was driving for a couple hours with 15-30MPH winds coming from about 10 o'clock, which was buffeting the car around madly. But the steering response, combined with the inertia of my hand, made the movements almost perfectly self-correcting. It was like magic! I tried steering with my hand at the bottom of the wheel and it was definitely much more difficult to keep a true course. 

 

Anyhow, I wonder if anyone else noticed this, how many of you are "lazy" bottom-steerers, and how many of you are "attentive" 10-and-2 steerers?

You are likely experiencing the benefits of FORD EPAS with no free play and "nibble" and "drift" control. :)  IMO, you have to get used to EPAS. It is a different feeling especially in crosswinds.  I think that with hands at bottom of steering wheel one feels more of and can't control as easily the movement of the wheel like hands in 10-2 position.  Ford says most drivers once they get used to EPAS like it.

 

Electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) automatically adjusts to deliver precise feel and control at higher speeds, and the required assistance at slower speeds when needed. EPAS features drift control and active nibble control. Drift control technology detects road conditions – such as a crowned road surface or crosswinds – and adjusts the EPAS to compensate. The active nibble control feature uses the EPAS motor to reduce unwanted vibrations in the steering wheel. The result is a comfortable driving experience and responsive steering.

 

[HotPotato]

Yep, I hold the wheel at 10 and 2, and find the steering quite nice. Just did a rather rushed left-lane run from Orange County to the Central Coast yesterday, and the first 70% of that trip is nonstop freeway construction with uneven surfaces, sudden lane shifts, narrow lanes, and zero clearance between the lane edge and the K-rail. Unnerving, but the C-Max was steady as she goes all the way. 

 

Side note: the car was packed with four tall people and their luggage, and aside from a bit of sag in the rear, handled the extra load admirably. Several times we had to haul arse across four to six lanes to accommodate unexpected detours or pee breaks. One passenger even commented "this has a lot of power for a small car! I bet that's why you bought it." Not far off.   

[Noah Harbinger]

You are likely experiencing the benefits of FORD EPAS with no free play and "nibble" and "drift" control. :)  IMO, you have to get used to EPAS. It is a different feeling especially in crosswinds.  I think that with hands at bottom of steering wheel one feels more of and can't control as easily the movement of the wheel like hands in 10-2 position.  Ford says most drivers once they get used to EPAS like it.

 

I will never be 10-2... but 2, and occasionally 10 for some rest works fine. 

 

What are 'nibble' and 'drift' control?

[ScubaDadMiami]

I love the way that the C-MAX steering feels. Of course, if I had it my way, I would eliminate the concept of a steering wheel, which makes no sense for tired arms and neck on long drives. However, for a car with a steering wheel, it is pretty nice, I think.

[Noah Harbinger]

Of course, if I had it my way, I would eliminate the concept of a steering wheel, which makes no sense for tired arms and neck on long drives. 

 

What would you replace it with?

[kostby]

Voice command. Tracking my eye movements. Reading my thoughts... ;)

 

Or a pair of wrist-twist wheels, as Ford tried in the mid 1960's: 

 

http://automotivemileposts.com/tbird1965townlandaushowcar.html

http://laughingsquid.com/the-experimental-ford-wrist-twist-steering-system-1965/

[ScubaDadMiami]

Or a pair of wrist-twist wheels, as Ford tried in the mid 1960's: 

My arms would love armrests on long trips. Count me in!