Vehicle Speed Sensitive Power Steering
 

All the 370Zs include "Vehicle Speed Sensitive Power Steering" ..

What exactly does this mean and is it essentially the $1000 option BMW offers on the 135i?

-Div

Oh man i hate that feature! I driven a Mustang with that, basically the more you increase your speed the stiffer the steering gets. It was really noticable for me at around 90-100mph. I think its purpose is just to help you stay in control of the vehicle and not lose it.

Speed-sensitive power steering exists on many cars, afaik they all do basically the same thing: more power assist at slow speeds (easier tight cornering), and less power assist at high speeds (steering is more rigid and stable on the highway).

BMW's active steering varies the steering ratio and effort depending on speed (among other things), while the system used on the 370Z only varies the effort.

Thanks for the clarification!

The kits out there to add this to cars without electric power steering (as apposed to hydro electric) have the option to tune how much assist you get at certain speeds. I wonder if the Z's can be tuned as well. (Maybe just a computer swap-out?)

Does Nissan truly say the system only varies the effort required? I previously had an Audi that varied effort and the turning ratio. The Z feels exactly the same. For example, while driving 10mph in a parking lot, you have to turn the wheel at least 180 deg to significantly change your direction. Do this at 80mph while turning off the highway onto an offramp requires about a 5 degree turn of the wheel. So, I'd be surprised if the Nissan system didn't change the steering ratio as well.

Searched upon this, just pointing out the specs say fixed ratio 14.7:1 for coupe.

While other cars have had varying ratio steering racks, I believe the BMW system is the first to dynamically vary the ratio based on speed, and not amount of steering input.

I found this article on how to mod the power assisted steering wheel. Seems very easy by putting a resistor before the coil. How much then we need someone with electrical degree to find out.

AutoSpeed - Modifying Speed-Sensitive Power Steering

Its fantastic. I love it.

it is just a bypass valve if you hate it just disconnect the wire and it will be full force all the time. the pot is a neat idea.