What causes heavy steering?

If your steering wheel ever feels heavy and hard to turn, this could indicate that you have an issue with heavy steering. This happens when your vehicle feels stiff and compromises the control you have over your car. There are various reasons why heavy steering might happen, so if you think you have an unreactive steering wheel, you should get it checked at your nearest garage immediately.

What causes heavy steering?

Heavy steering can be caused by a number of issues with your vehicle, including:

• Tyre pressure – if your tyres are overinflated or underinflated, this will reduce the tyre grip on the road. This issue contributes to steering becoming heavier and less effective.
• Wheel alignment – if incorrect, this can lead to uneven tyre wear, which, in turn, affects your steering.
• Power steering fluid – a lack of steering fluid can be a common cause of  heavy steering. It is also a good idea to watch out for thick steering fluid, as this can also have an effect as it picks up debris and dirt.

How to prevent steering wheels from becoming heavy

There are a few things you can do to eliminate the chance of a heavy steering wheel. Some key steps we recommend are:

1. Identifying any tyre damage that could be causing heavy steering to occur
2. Checking your front wheels are correctly aligned
3. Checking vehicle fluid level
4. Consistently checking tyre pressure

The best way to ensure your car is in tip-top condition is to get it regularly serviced – this way, you are less likely to have issues with your steering. If any problems are spotted in the servicing, our trusty mechanics can sort them early on, and prevent them from becoming bigger issues.

Get in contact with our helpful team, or pop into a Merityre garage near you for more motoring advice and help.