Could there be a switch installed so that you can turn your power steering on and off?

Question

Wouldn't it be harder for theifs to take your car if you had the option to do that?

Answer 1

No. Power steering is not run off of your battery, it is run off of a belt when the engine is running. This belt usually connects with other items such as the alternator and water pump. The only way to disconnect it would be to pull this belt off.

Answer 2

If you are talking a simple switch to prevent theft, then no. In theory, you could have a clutch on your power steering pump that would engage and disengage from a switch, but that would make your pump more prone to failure, and how you would incorporate your switch as a safety feature would be complicated. A simple toggle switch under that dash? You can do that with many electrical components on your car, a power steering switch would be far too much work versus a switch to your battery, your distributor or even your ignition (a secondary switch hidden somewhere).

A switch can be turned on or off without your key? Assuming that is what you mean, so the thief would just have to flip the switch, which would make it easier to hide a switch to the previously mentioned components instead. If you planned to integrate it into your ignition, then you basically wasted your time considering that thieves are bypassing that area already to steal your car in the first place.

You can actually drive pretty compentently without power steering ( I know, I've done it on occassion) There are many ways to theft proof your vehicle, but the mechanisms that would have to be installed to turn your power steering off would not be the best preventative measure. A great example would be a Volkswagen Bug (older models) does not have power steering but yet many people still drive them very easily. They do have skinnier wheels and a lighter frame to make it easier, but power steering is no must to get you to your destination, it's more of a luxury and added control measure for your car.

Answer 3

Best anti-theft device is a line-lock...it's a solenoid valve that racers use to lock the front wheels when they do burnouts...it goes in your brake line and is operated by a switch...you step on the brakes, hit the switch and release the brakes ..only the line-lock keeps pressure on the front brakes to keep them locked while the rear brakes are free and you can spin the tires. I've heard of people hooking a line-lock up to both front and rear brake lines and hiding a micro switch somewhere inside...when you park the vehicle, you hit the brakes, hit the line-lock switch and no ones gonna get your ride without a crane unless the cut the brake lines. A little exteme but effective. Kill switches are good cheap way to stop em too.

Answer 4

if there gonna steal the car power steering wouldnt make it any harder unless they just cant drive... now taking tires of might slow em down alot or taking the battery off, best bet is just get a club a good alarm and a big dog next to it...

Answer 5

what's the convenience to doing this? they don't even do this in NASCAR, the place the engines are over 850 hp and that they are racing at over 200 mph. Why even worry in a highway automobile? purely because of the fact some dude did this would not advise its a solid theory. Spend it gradual attempting to get yet another 50 hp out of your quickly-to-exchange 5.7L and don't waste time on stupid recommendations approximately power steerage. heavily.

Answer 6

no power steering works off pully turned by motor no electrical to turn off with switch a thief doesnt care if it has no power steering older vehicles didnt have power steering and they still stole those

Answer 7

no because they can still drive off with your car. you can install a battery switch that can cut all your main power but leave enough power for your radio stat. and you can get at your local auto parts store.

Answer 8

It would take more than that to stop them. An easier cutoff with be to the ignition or fuel supply.But that never stops the ones with the tow truck.