[ImmortalZ]

I forgot to mention this in my previous post, but I love the HPS when I'm pushing her hard. It's just that it has it's own share of disadvantages.

[ghpk]

I agree with Immortalz that HPS is better, I love it in my Santro, Its more stable than EPS when on high speed.

Having a EPS on small cars is something i can't make up my mind with HPS is more stable IMHO.

[sudipt123]

Originally Posted by alpha1

Yes. Those are few of the aspects that come under the feel.

The feel is something like this: When you drive, your wheels feel the road, and experience certain forces - like say when the road is tilted/sloping, wet, sandy/gravelly, pot holed.
When you twist your steering, the wheels turn, and face some resistance from the ground.

All these forces are more strongly felt by the wheel when it is stationary or slow.

So anything that your wheels experience, if that can be transmitted to steering wheel, so that you as a driver can also experience it - that construes the FEEL.

Now mostly in EPS it is observed that it feels dead. Its almost like those arcade racing games you play. There is a floating feeling, no resistance coming from the steering.

Very well described alpha1. I felt the difference in the steering feel when I test drove the swift compared to my previous Indica which has HPS. Also I think the HPS feel can be tweaked and can be made lighter- which I feel driving the Chevy Spark which has HPS. It is not as light as the EPS found in the Swift, though lighter than my Indica steering. I think vehicle weight and tyre width size matters too.

[Shashank.A]

Originally Posted by alpha1

Now mostly in EPS it is observed that it feels dead. Its almost like those arcade racing games you play. There is a floating feeling, no resistance coming from the steering.

You have given words to my feelings.

EPS is lifeless for me. Recently I drove a WagonR for around a thousand kilometers (Goa-Hampi-Goa) and felt the very strong difference

HPS gives you the feedback of the car, the actual feel of the road, EPS seems to be artificial world.

[mithun]

See : Electric Power Steering VS Hydraulic Power Steering

[gpa]

Originally Posted by mithun

See : Electric Power Steering VS Hydraulic Power Steering

An informative read. I still prefer a hydraulic power steering for the feedback at higher speeds, though I drive cars with both hydraulic and electric assist for the steering

[A350XWB]

Originally Posted by mithun

See : Electric Power Steering VS Hydraulic Power Steering

Sorry for reviving this very old thread, but couldn't refrain myself from writing something. I could not agree with the article in the link above, especially the conclusion. The fact is that it's easier to "tune" a proper feedback from a HPS(or EHPS) than from an EPS unit.
For example, the Honda Civic marketed in Europe has an EPS unit and the driver oriented Japanese version has an EHPS unit. There is a youtube video where an auto show (I think Top Gear) tried out both the versions and guess what, they chose the one with the EHPS for it's sheer involving drive. (Sorry, could not put a link to the video as I'm writing from my office)
Even at the time of purchase of my first car, when I had to choose between the Wagon R and Santro Xing, I discarded the Wagon R because of it's over servoed EPS. There was absolutely no feedback from the EPS at any speed and I wanted to drive my car, not just turn a dead wheel to point my car at the direction where I wanted it to go.

And I'm really amazed by comments which tell "EPS is safer". This is just bogus!

[Mpower]

Originally Posted by A350XWB

For example, the Honda Civic marketed in Europe has an EPS unit and the driver oriented Japanese version has an EHPS unit. There is a Youtube video where an auto show (I think Top Gear) tried out both the versions and guess what, they chose the one with the EHPS for it's sheer involving drive.

Check your info. AFAIK, Honda does not use EHPS anywhere.

[Otto]

I guess there are pros and cons to both.
EPS - for lighter vehicles, lesser maintenance
HPS - for heavier vehicles, more powerful but increased maintenance costs. There have been many instances where the oil seals start to leak - my esteem had this problem and I had to shell out about 2500/- bucks to renew the seals.

Same goes with the EPS - it would probably overload on heavier vehicles - added to that maintenance involving carbon brushes and contacts.

EHPS on the other hand - I guess that would be for oversized/offroader vehicles. That I would presume (since we work on electro-hydraulic steering systems on ships) the hydraulic pump unit is electrically driven. But I could be wrong.

[rock75]

what is the frequency of changing hydraulic power steering fluid? is it important to change it as I don't find a mention in the Maruti owner's manual makes no mention of changing the fluid but only asks for checking and topping up periodically.

[kavesh55]

What would be the one on a Maruti Esteem 2004 BS3 ? HPS or EPS

[GTO]

Originally Posted by rock75

what is the frequency of changing hydraulic power steering fluid? is it important to change it as I don't find a mention in the Maruti owner's manual makes no mention of changing the fluid but only asks for checking and topping up periodically.

What Maruti? It probably isn't mentioned because your car has an electric power steering.

Originally Posted by kavesh55

What would be the one on a Maruti Esteem 2004 BS3 ? HPS or EPS

Hydraulic.

[Mr.Boss]

Got this material from my old HDD. May be useful for beginners.

[Mr.Boss]

Originally Posted by Mr.Boss

Got this material from my old HDD. May be useful for beginners.

Material related to the above post. Bit lazy to dig out the materials from my old HDD

[IndigoXLGrandDi]

Around 2 years ago, The "Lower End" of the Pipe that is connected to the Power Steering Fluid Reservoir got hit and broken in rural area. At that time, the fluid leaked and the Steering became hard. On checking, we came to know the leak and the pipe was somehow "attached" and fluid was topped up.

After some days (4-5 months) the Power Steering Rack started leaking. So got it replaced with refurbished one.

Yesterday while observing the Pipe which I mentioned above had got wet with oil. Also it had become too soft. So thought of replacing it. On showing the old sample to the spare parts shop, he told me that the pipe has got sored and the oil filter also has to be replaced.

So I bought the oil filter and came to mechanic. He said "There is no need to replace the Power Steering Oil Filter. Its simply waste of money and nothing else".
I only got the pipe replaced.

Who is correct?
Should I replace the Oil Filter?

FYI, the Oil Filter is Paper-Type and its cost is Rs.139/-
Car in question is Indigo LS that has run 2,34,500kms.