- Honda Car Owner's Manual

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30
ELECTRICPOWERSTEERING
TheHondaInsightusesavariable-assistrackandpinionelectricpowersteering(EPS)systemrather
thanatypicalhydraulicpowersteeringsystem.
Atypicalhydraulicpowersteeringsystemiscontinuallyplacingasmallloadontheengine,evenwhen
nosteeringassistis required.Becausethe EPS systemonlyneedstodrawelectricpowerwhensteering
assistisrequired,noextraenergyisneededwhencruising,improvingfuelefficiency.
Electricpowersteering(EPS)ismechanicallysimplerthanahydraulicsystem,meaningthatitshould
be more reliable. The EPS system is also designed to provide good road feel and responsiveness. The
Insight'sEPSsystemsharespartswiththeHondaS2000steeringsystem.
Thesystem'scompactnessandsimplicityoffermoredesignfreedomintermsofplacementwithinthe
chassis. The steering rack, electric drive and forged-aluminum tie rods are all mounted high on the
bulkhead,andsteerthewheelsviasteeringlinksoneachfrontsuspensionstrut.Thislocationwaschosenin
ordertoachieveamorecompactenginecompartment,whileimprovingsafety.
The system is also smoother operating, more responsive to driver input, and has minimal steering
kickback.Theoverallsteeringratiois16.4to1,and3.32turnslock-to-lock.
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EPSOperation
The operating principle ofthe EPS isbasicallythesame ashydraulicpowersteeringexcept forthe
following:
• Atorquesensorisusedinplaceofthevalvebodyunit
• Anelectricassistmotorisusedinplaceofthehydraulicpowercylinder
• AnEPScontrolunitisadded
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MechanicalConstruction
Therackisunusualinthatitismountedhighontherearenginebulkhead,andthatthetierodsengage
therackinthecenter.Thehighmountlocationisusedforcrashsafety,asitkeepsthesecomponentsoutof
theInsight'scrumplezone.
The tie rods are aluminum, and theyconnect to an ackerman armthat ismountedto the strutsjust
belowthespringseat.