Switchable power steering

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Thu 22 Jan 2004 18:20
Switchable power steering - henry k
FIAT Punto. Just back from hiring one.
It had a button on the dash marked Town with a symbol like a T inside a circle.
It was for selecting an increased amount of power steering assistance, I guess for use in town and carparks where more steering effort may be required or is useful.
I am aware of variable/ switchable power steering on up market cars but not come accross this switchable type varient on smaller/cheaper cars.
What other varients are around on small cars?
Will it become the norm?
It seemed quite a good idea and I guess is cheaper than the variable alternative.
It was very interesting to switch it on and off and notice the difference between light and little finger steering.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 22 Jan 2004 18:32
Switchable power steering - PR {P}
Puntos have had this feature for about 4 years now (the previous new one had it), and no one else seems to have copied....yet.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 22 Jan 2004 23:17
Switchable power steering - Dizzy {P}
I'd never come across this until someone mentioned the FIAT's "girlie switch" at the weekend. Good job my sexual-equality daughter wasn't within hearing range!
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 22 Jan 2004 23:50
Switchable power steering - SjB {P}
The current MG TF also has EPAS (Electric Power Assisted Steering), as I believe did its predecessor, and although I understand it crashes and thumps over bumps as a result of a very firm set-up, each article I have read has praised the steering and handling.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 23 Jan 2004 00:35
Switchable power steering - NowWheels
I'd never come across this until someone mentioned the FIAT's "girlie
switch" at the weekend. Good job my sexual-equality daughter wasn't within
hearing range!


I drove one recently, and thought it was great -- made parking really easy, and it was handy for other city manoeuvres too.

I wouldn't mind it being called a "girlie-swtch" -- I called it that myself, because I have no desire to have to develop huge biceps to park a car!
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 23 Jan 2004 08:10
Switchable power steering - daveyjp
The sister-in-law calls it the "girlie switch". I had a Punto as a hire car in Ireland last year and forgot to turn this off once - very interesting at speed on sweeping corners! The feedback from the steering was zilch - imagine driving on ice!
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 25 Jan 2004 23:44
Switchable power steering - henry k
Thanks HJ and all others for the usual quick info on the subject.

daveyjp. I was not brave enough to try it at speed especially as it was a max 40mph limit (in Jersey). It was useful in the multi storey carparks.

Except for my son's Focus 2.0 Ghia I only get to try new / modern cars when I rent them on holiday.
Oh joy, back to a non power steering Sierra (with tyres soon to be replaced). Just leave me a good parking space so that non of this reverse parking shimmy is needed.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 25 Jan 2004 23:52
Switchable power steering - Baskerville
The girlie switch was what they called it in the ads. All Peugeots and Citroens, right across the range, have power steering that varies according to engine speed--low revs=lots of assistance--and it works very well. Everything is levelling out I think and the manufacturers are going to have to think of other ways to justify price differentials: a friend of mine with a four year-old Mercedes was appalled when I told him my Peugeot has a three year warranty. He said I'll need it, but then he didn't make his money as a standup comic.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Our honest used car pricing is a little bit different to all the others. You can get to our values through make or model - you don’t have to follow a prescribed route. Plus, it’s live, which means we can react to changes in the market quicker than any printed price guide.

Honest Used Car Prices

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....