What exactly is EPAS?

[marc515]

What exactly is Electric power-assisted steering (EPAS)?

How does it compare to regular rack & pinion steering?

Thank you

 

[JRRF]

What exactly is Electric power-assisted steering (EPAS)?

How does it compare to regular rack & pinion steering?

Thank you

The power steering is assisted by an electric motor instead of being driven by a drive belt off the flywheel. In the old days, you sometimes had to rev the engine to get enough power steering boost to turn the wheel when you were stopped. Now that is no longer an issue. Of course the possible downside is that the steering may not "feel" as steady or connected to the wheels, but instead more isolated.

 

[1995E]

The wheel feels way smoother though and it takes minimal to no effort to turn and it's super accurate.

 

[RandyH2]

This reminds me- does anyone know if it is possible to adjust the "boost" of the electric assist? I know Audi has a similar(?) system and comes from the factory with a "boost" setting of something like 8 (a guess) but it can be adjusted to anywhere from 1 (little assist) to 9 or 10.

I personally prefer a heavier feel to the steering and would like to reduce the assist a bit on my Explorer.