Smooth Turns Ahead: Overcoming Challenges in Automotive Steering Systems

By: Matthias Ostertag, Head of Global Business Segment Automotive Components, FUCHS SE

As vehicles evolve into increasingly sophisticated machines, steering systems are undergoing transformative changes, placing new demands on automotive engineering. With the emergence of electric and hybrid vehicles, consumers are expecting a quieter, smoother, and more responsive driving experience. These consumer trends have escalated dramatically in the face of rapid automotive advancement, as an increasing percentage of electric and hybrid vehicles are sold year after year, underscoring the need for advanced lubricant technologies.

Navigating New Steering System Dynamics
The transition from traditional hydraulic steering to electric power steering (EPS) and steer-by-wire systems introduces new complexities in vehicle design. These emerging technologies require precise management of torque, vibration, and noise—factors that significantly influence driver comfort, vehicle responsiveness, and overall vehicle safety.

Electric vehicles amplify these challenges due to their inherently quiet operation. Previously unnoticed steering vibrations and noises in conventional combustion engines are now starkly evident in EVs, necessitating innovative lubrication solutions specifically designed to mitigate these disruptive issues.

Electric vehicle steering systems must endure diverse and demanding operating conditions, requiring specialized lubricants that maintain optimal performance across a wide temperature range. Maintaining viscosity consistency in extreme temperatures, both high and low, is paramount in these applications. Stable viscosity prevents stick-slip, ensuring precise steering control.

Moreover, electric vehicle lubricants must demonstrate compatibility with electrical systems, featuring low electrical conductivity and strong dielectric properties to avoid interference with critical electronic components. Corrosion protection has also emerged as a critical lubrication requirement, as moisture and contaminants frequently challenge steering component durability.

Steering System Challenges Drive Innovation
Recent advances in lubricant formulations directly tackle prevalent issues like stick-slip, which causes uneven steering feedback. Modern lubricants now integrate sophisticated additives designed to stabilize viscosity, improve corrosion resistance, and effectively minimize noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH). These innovations provide smoother, more predictable steering interactions, greatly enhancing both the driver experience and internal component reliability.

Specialized lubricant formulations now address critical niche applications, including connector greases, which are essential for maintaining the integrity of electrical connections in advanced steer-by-wire systems. These specialized lubricants offer robust protection against corrosion and wear, ensuring sustained, reliable vehicle performance. Additionally, the increasing focus on life-time lubrication reflects the automotive industry’s need for greater durability as vehicles remain operational longer. Lubricants must therefore provide sustained protection without frequent maintenance. Meeting these extended durability requirements ensures that vehicles continue to deliver reliable, safe performance throughout their lifecycle.

Harnessing Technology to Transform Automotive Lubrication
Technological advancements are redefining how automotive lubricants are developed, optimized, and managed. Modern lubricant providers rely heavily on digital tools and sophisticated service models to ensure lubricants deliver consistent, high-level performance that meets the complex demands of contemporary steering systems and current consumer demands.

The development of next-generation steering lubricants increasingly depends on state-of-the-art testing and simulation. These methodologies enable engineers to replicate exact operating conditions digitally, rigorously assessing lubricant performance under varying stresses and environmental conditions. AI-driven simulations and digital twin technology significantly enhance formulation precision to reduce risk.

This technology-driven approach ensures lubricants meet exacting specifications required by today’s advanced steering systems, facilitating quicker development cycles and more reliable end products.

Another significant trend reshaping automotive lubrication is the shift toward “Lubrication-as-a-Service” (LaaS). Rather than simply supplying products, lubricant manufacturers are now establishing deeper, ongoing partnerships with automotive OEMs. In the LaaS model, lubricant providers employ technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), to monitor lubricant performance in real-time, predict maintenance needs, and optimize lubricant application.

This service-driven approach enhances lubricant efficiency, minimizes waste, and provides greater transparency and reliability throughout the vehicle’s lifespan. Ultimately, LaaS aligns the objectives of lubricant suppliers and automotive manufacturers alike.

By integrating these innovative methodologies and service models, lubricant manufacturers can effectively anticipate performance challenges, optimize lubricant usage, and foster sustainable practices. Such proactive, technology-driven approaches are key to delivering dependable steering performance and efficiency in the automotive industry.

Principles for Progressive Development
Leading lubricant manufacturers, like FUCHS Lubricants Co., the world’s largest independent lubricant supplier, proactively position themselves ahead of automotive advancements by focusing their research and development efforts on innovative lubricant technologies, strategic customer collaboration, and tangible sustainability outcomes.

Innovation is best pursued through continuous investment in state-of-the-art technologies and the establishment of research facilities that facilitate knowledge-sharing across regional markets. This unified approach allows lubricant providers to swiftly identify emerging industry challenges and respond with solutions that address them.

Additionally, a customer-centric philosophy supports close collaboration with automotive manufacturers, which can foster joint initiatives aimed at customizing lubricant solutions to precise performance requirements. By directly engaging with OEMs, lubricant producers can better anticipate future technological demands, thereby streamlining product development and enhancing long-term customer partnerships.

Operational excellence is realized by standardizing manufacturing procedures and procurement processes on a global scale. Such harmonization not only boosts efficiency and accelerates time to market, but also enhances supply chain resilience—crucial in a rapidly evolving industry. Streamlined global supply chains reduce operational costs, ensuring that high-quality lubricants consistently and promptly reach customers.

Finally, sustainability goals have taken a front seat in the last decade and should now be deeply embedded into organizational strategies through measurable and structured environmental, safety, and energy performance indicators. These key metrics guide continuous improvement, ensuring lubricant producers not only meet regulatory requirements but actively contribute to broader environmental objectives. Sustainable product innovations, especially those aimed at emerging electric vehicle segments, underscore the industry’s dedication to significantly lowering the ecological footprint of automotive lubricants.

Driving Towards the Future
As the automotive industry continues to evolve, the demand for advanced, sustainable, and high-performance lubricants has never been greater. Leading suppliers are responding by investing in rigorous R&D, embracing digitalization, and prioritizing environmental responsibility.

FUCHS, for example, has developed RENOLIT CX SWG 0-1, a PFAS-free grease specifically engineered for the complex needs of modern steering systems. This novel formulation delivers consistent torque performance, reduces noise and vibration, and maintains stability across a wide temperature range, directly addressing the challenges faced by electric and hybrid vehicles. Unlike conventional greases, RENOLIT CX SWG 0-1 combines environmental compliance with exceptional durability, making it uniquely suited for next-generation steering systems. This grease exemplifies how targeted innovation can help automotive manufacturers meet both regulatory requirements and customer expectations for reliability and sustainability.

Conclusion
The evolution of automotive steering systems, propelled by electrification, rising consumer expectations, and tightening regulations, has made advanced lubrication technology a cornerstone of modern vehicle performance. Overcoming today’s challenges requires more than incremental improvements. It demands a holistic approach that blends technical innovation, digital transformation, and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

Industry leaders are distinguished not only by their ability to meet these demands, but by their foresight in anticipating them, by investing in research, embracing new service models, and collaborating closely with OEMs to deliver solutions that drive the industry forward. FUCHS’ development of products like the RENOLIT CX SWG 0-1 exemplifies this proactive spirit, offering a PFAS-free, high-performance grease that directly addresses the complex needs of next-generation steering systems while supporting environmental and regulatory goals.

As the pace of change accelerates, lubricant technology will remain a critical enabler of progress, safety, and sustainability. By championing innovation and forging strong industry partnerships, companies like FUCHS are helping to shape the future of mobility, ensuring smoother turns ahead for manufacturers and drivers alike.