Quadrasteer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Quadrasteer is the name of the 4-wheel steering system developed by General Motors for use in automobiles, namely full-size pick-up trucks.
The system was designed by the Delphi Corporation when it was owned by GM and is found on GM products. It is a tremendously useful feature to people who tow regularly, as it enables a person to turn their vehicle in much tighter spaces than if they had a regular steering system. Ford offers their own four-wheel steer system, which is installed on their Thunderbird which differs from GM's Quadrasteer. Although the system was originally unsuccessful, it has proven to be quite useful and has prospered recently.
However, the system can be quite costly, adding, in some cases, as much as $5,000 on to the price of the vehicle. Many people, especially those who tow boats, 5th wheels, or other assorted items find the system to be a necessity and, thus, pay the price.
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[edit] Mechanics
The system is primarily used on pickup trucks, so utility, safety, and performance are key. At lower speeds, it turns in the opposite direction of the forward wheels to a maximum of 12°, decreasing the turning radius as much as 21% (on the Silverado 2500 / Sierra 2500). At higher speeds the system will turn the rear wheels much more slightly in the direction of the front wheels so as to increase stability and control.
Vehicles that offer the upgrade include:
[edit] Future
Although GM currently has complete control of Quadrasteer, Delphi insiders claim that there will be Quadrasteer systems on other pickup models in the near future. Since Ford decided not to proliferate on the system because it originally did not seem productive, the only models left are the Dodge Ram, Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan.
A recent article in Consumer Affairs states that the system will not be offered in 2007. [2]
