What causes Steering Assist is Reduce Warning messages?
Modern automotive technologies keep improving by the day. The industry has employed new features that significantly enhance safety, and in turn, enhance the overall driving experience. One of the technologies adopted is the steering assist. This system comes in great handy, but it is not without its flaws.
Its flaws come up when you receive the “Steering Assist is reduced, drive with care” message. This may happen due to a number of reasons. These include a bad battery, a faulty engine thermostat, a malfunctioning engine control module, a faulty steering angle sensor, and a faulty power steering pump. It is imperative that immediate action is taken to prevent potential hazards.
This article is aimed at explaining what the error message means, its causes, and possible solutions.
What is the Steering Assist feature in Chevy Malibu?
The steering assist is a feature that is equipped in the latest vehicle models to assist the driver in controlling the vehicle in bad road conditions. This is possible by an electric motor that suitably turns the tires to draw less or more power when needed. Cars that are equipped with power steering systems come with the steering assist.
What causes Steering Assist is Reduce warning messages?
There are several reasons why you may receive the Steering assist is reduced message on your Chevy Malibu.
Bad battery
More often than not, the error message will appear as a result of a bad battery. If the battery in your car is dead, it results in many electrical issues, including loss in communication with the ECM. Ideally, a battery in good condition should read around 12.6v on the multimeter. Another thing is that if you have recently replaced your old battery, the error message is also likely to appear.
Open or bad engine thermostat
The engine thermostat is another component that if malfunctioning, can affect the steering assist system. The thermostat is responsible for controlling and regulating the coolant flow rate to the engine radiator.
In other words, it is the component that maintains engine stability and temperature. If the thermostat is open, it causes the coolant to flow through, and the temperature drops. This can cause the error message to pop up.
Faulty engine control module
The ECM works as the brainbox for all electrical functions in the car, and this includes the steering assist. The module also monitors the temperature and level of the coolant and relays this information to the steering assist. If the information relayed by the ECM is wrong, the power steering is no longer effective since it does not have the required information to function correctly.
Faulty steering angle sensor
When this sensor is faulty, it results in issues with steering systems and vehicle stability, including traction issues, off-center steering, warning lights, and drift.
Faulty power steering pump
The power steering pump is tasked with pressurizing the power steering fluid and providing hydraulic power to the steering system. In case the pump is malfunctioning, a warning message can appear.
How to fix Steering Assist is Reduced warning?
There a number of methods you can adopt to resolve the issue.
Check the car battery
One of the first things you can do when you notice the message is to check your battery’s condition. You can use a battery tester or voltmeter to test the voltage. Also, ensure that the alternator is in tip-top shape and effectively charges the battery when the engine is running. In case of any battery-related issues, or the battery has stayed for over five years, replacement is advised. This can act as a preventive measure for the issue.
Read and clear all other trouble codes
Any time you encounter an error message, it is likely that there are some diagnostic trouble codes that are stored in the computer system. Hence, you can employ a scanner that is designed to read such advanced systems. It is important to note that not all the scanners in the market may be compatible with the new advanced systems, thus, ensure that you have the right device. In the event that you find numerous trouble codes, reset them by driving for a while, or changing the battery and clearing the codes. This should resolve the issue.
Replace faulty parts
Depending on the nature of the repair, you can take it up as a DIY project in your garage. For example, replacing a battery should be manageable. With the right tools and some basic know-how, you can handle a few tasks like replacing the temperature sensor, cooling fan, or thermostat.
Contact a mechanic
If all your efforts have been to no avail, it would be best to take your vehicle to a professional. The experts are often equipped with advanced tools and technical skills that make it easy for them to make an accurate diagnosis and carry out the necessary repairs. There are certain tasks such as updating the ECM require expertise that is only available in a dealership.
FAQs
Can I drive with a bad steering assist?
It is advised not to drive your vehicle if equipped with the power steering pumps and their power steering functionality is compromised. Hence, you are to wait until the pump is repaired before you can operate the car.
What error codes are related with the steering assist system?
The trouble codes that you may come across in case of issues with the steering assist system include code P0128 which implies a bad thermostat or bad temperature sensor, and code U0100 which is often related to battery replacement.
Conclusion
The steering assist reduced signal is not usually a major cause for concern. Still, it is important that you address the issue as soon as possible so you can keep enjoying the benefits of the system. Hopefully, this article has brought to your attention the causes of the error message, and what you can do to resolve the issue.
