numb steering MY08
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
It's not an AP2 vs AP1 thing at all. It's because of the speed-adaptive electric power steering. It's a CPU system that actually has a mode devoted to damping out steering feedback. This is another case of Honda trying hard to make things "perfect".
Unplugging the system does add feedback- it's easier to feel what's going on at the front wheels. Unfortunately, the car is a monster to turn while stopped or at low speeds.
One final note: I wouldn't necessarily screw with the caster too much just to get more self-aligning force. You'll actually be changing the rate at which camber changes with steer angle, perhaps to a less-than-optimal point.
Unplugging the system does add feedback- it's easier to feel what's going on at the front wheels. Unfortunately, the car is a monster to turn while stopped or at low speeds.
One final note: I wouldn't necessarily screw with the caster too much just to get more self-aligning force. You'll actually be changing the rate at which camber changes with steer angle, perhaps to a less-than-optimal point.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Everyone talks about what an amazing handling car this is......how can it be with poor steering feel? I mean, I read post after post about the handling, the feedback, the steering, responsiveness, etc. Then this post is full of people saying the steering is numb? So what makes it such a great handling car then? I mean, suspension and chassis tuning helps, but steering is a big part of it too, right?
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 19
From: NYC to SoCal
every driver is different, just like every car is different. if you have a 95 miata and hop into a S2000 whether its a MY00 or MY08 it will feel completely different than the miata's even though they're both sports cars. whenever i drove my buddys 04 MR2 and then hopped in my is300 there were so much difference in the two cars, its the same now when i compare the MR2 to my S. the MR2 feels more alive to every input from the steering to the throttle and makes the S feel like an suv when i get back in it.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,504
Likes: 0
Pffftt. The steering is excellent. Most people couldn't tell the steering ratio, IMO. What they are feeling is the difference in tire width/weight/responsiveness, and the alignment. Swap a narrower winter tire on the 16" rim, you will see exactly what I mean. The stiffener is an attempt to reduce flex in the rack housing, a benefit to all years.
Registered User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,252
Likes: 1
From: Hong Kong
Originally Posted by Destro,May 2 2008, 12:33 PM
Unplugging the system does add feedback- it's easier to feel what's going on at the front wheels. Unfortunately, the car is a monster to turn while stopped or at low speeds.
I'm interested in this one. Cuz "in the old days" one would simply pull out the power steering belt from the alternator and powersteering is gone! But I couldn't figure out how to get rid of powersteering when this thing is electronic
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,536
Likes: 0
From: Orlando
Originally Posted by aronparsons,May 1 2008, 08:39 AM
The S2000's steering is numb, but precise (well, at least on AP1s). The only solution is to max out the caster in the front (6.0+), which adds some weight to the steering, but it's not that big of an improvement. Tires with stiffer sidewalls will help too.
