When was the last time you drove without power steering?

[soccerdad72]

For me, it is now last night

My older son’s car started acting up last night on his way home from work. He pulled over and the car died on him. I met him at the parking lot he ended up in, got the car jumped and restarted but it lost its power steering and had all kinds of lights on the dashboard going off. I had him drive my car and followed me in his car and I limped it a couple blocks down the street to an AutoZone, where we were able to get the battery tested. Battery was ok, but the alternator was shot. Unfortunately, the car was completely dead, so we had to go back this morning to get it towed to an auto shop.

I will say, I don’t know how people drove cars for years before power steering was invented. . I can only guess that people were much stronger then.

 

[tvguy]

Last Sunday. My 1965 Mustang has manual steering. And manual brakes. Someone in 1965 ordered it without power steering, or power brakes, although they did order front disc brakes which you could only get a manual version. Also ordered a 4 barrel V8, automatic transmission and air conditioning.
My first car was a Pinto with manual steering. Such a light car, no big deal. My mom used to love to borrow it. She said she felt like she was really driving it since it didn't have power steering like her Buick did.

 

[FreeTime]

Last month. My company has a box truck without it. Not enjoyable!

 

[cayennews]

One of the cars I had in college, an Eagle Premier, had no power steering. Well technically it did, but it had stopped working by the time I owed the car. Wow was it difficult to drive, and parallel park! This was about 29 years ago.

 

[kdonnel]

I believe there is a difference between how a car with broken power steering drives and how a car without power steering drives. They are not comparable.

 

[LoveDaisy]

My friends all have VW buses I drove one 2 weeks ago. No power steering and it had the boat type steering wheel, which is always weird to me. Also no matter how many times I drive one I never adjust to them having no front end and never pull in enough when parking and have to get back in a creep up a little further.

 

[clappyclaps]

I don't think I've ever driven a car without power steering! I've also recently got an EV with incredibly light steering, so I'll probably find it a struggle driving a "normal" car with power steering in future

 

[WDWEPCOT]

40 years ago man was it tough - they must of had arms like gorgeous George back then !!! These windy roads out here are not made for cars with no power steering or I should say for people who don’t have really strong arms!

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

It was probably like 20 years ago... it wasn't on purpose tho. Some kind of belt broke, and the power steering quit working, then started to overheat.

 

[happybaker]

I had an old Chevy Citation when I was in high school, and the power steering fluid would leak. I'd only make it so far until it would get hard to steer. Like you said, you needed arms of steel to turn. I would drive around with a few bottle of fluid so I could top off until I got it fixed.

 

[Micca]

Last time? Early 80s?

 

[Chirple]

1998 - I was 10 years off with my initial response.

 

[TippyThomas]

The only thing I've driven without power steering would be farm tractors and such.

 

[dizneegirl]

I believe there is a difference between how a car with broken power steering drives and how a car without power steering drives. They are not comparable.

This. The gear ratio is different.

Last drove one about 30 years ago (made that way, not broken).

 

[AppleDumpling]

I learned to drive in the late 1970’s, with my Dad’s old car that had no power steering or power brakes. It was fine for high-speed highway driving, but backing up and parking were strenuous. I remember practicing parallel parking and three-point turns hundreds of times for my road test and it was tough.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I believe there is a difference between how a car with broken power steering drives and how a car without power steering drives. They are not comparable.

That's correct. Broken power steering is much more difficult than manual steering.

For me, probably my then new 1964 Ford. No PS, PB or AC. 4 speed manual. Had it for 2 years, so probably 1966.

 

[soccerdad72]

I apologize for my lack of knowledge on vehicles

 

[hertamaniac]

Both of my Pontiac Fiero's did not come with power steering. But the steering rack/ratio worked perfectly fine when I drove them spiritedly. I miss those cars.

 

[Brian Noble]

Maybe the late 80's? I had an internship in Schaumburg and my parents loaned me their GMC pickup. Three on the tree, AM-only radio, no AC, manual steering, hand-cranked windows. It was summer, so my left arm got a sunburn.

I had a lot of fun driving that truck!

 

[TippyThomas]

I apologize for my lack of knowledge on vehicles

Surprised it took as long as it did.