Kia Optima - Power Steering; Steering Wheel

Features of your vehicle
384
Electric power steering
Power steering uses the motor to assist
you in steering the vehicle. If the engine
is off or if the power steering system
becomes inoperative, the vehicle may
still be steered, but it will require
increased steering effort.
The motor driven power steering is con-
trolled by the power steering control unit
which senses the steering wheel torque,
steering wheel position and vehicle
speed to command the motor.
The steering wheel becomes heavier as
the vehicle’s speed increases and
becomes lighter as the vehicle’s speed
decreases for better control of the steer-
ing wheel.
Should you notice any change in the
effort required to steer during normal
vehicle operation, we recommend that
the system be checked by an authorised
Kia dealer.
✽✽
NOTICE
The following symptoms may occur dur-
ing normal vehicle operation:
• The EPS warning light does not illumi-
nate.
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• The steering effort is high immediately
after turning the ignition switch on.
This happens as the system performs
the EPS system diagnostics. When the
diagnostics is completed, the steering
wheel will return to its normal condi-
tion.
• A click noise may be heard from the
EPS relay after the ignition switch is
turned to the ON or LOCK position.
• Motor noise may be heard when the
vehicle is at a stop or at a low driving
speed.
• If the Electric Power Steering System
does not operate normally, the warning
light will illuminate on the instrument
cluster. The steering wheel may become
difficult to control or operate abnor-
mally. We recommend that you contact
an authorised Kia dealer.
• The steering effort increases if the steer-
ing wheel is rotated continuously when
the vehicle is not in motion. However,
after a few minutes, it will return to its
normal conditions.
• When you operate the steering wheel in
low temperature, abnormal noise could
occur. If temperature rises, the noise
will disappear. This is a normal condi-
tion.
Power steering (if equipped)
Power steering uses energy from the
engine to assist you in steering the vehi-
cle. If the engine is off or if the power
steering system becomes inoperative,
the vehicle may still be steered, but it will
require increased steering effort.
Should you notice any change in the
effort required to steer during normal
vehicle operation, we recommend that
the system be checked by an authorised
Kia dealer.
STEERING WHEEL
CAUTION
Never hold the steering wheel to the
extreme right or left for more than 5
seconds with the engine running.
Holding the steering wheel for more
than 5 seconds in either position
may cause damage to the power
steering pump.