Why is my steering wheel and shifter so stiff in sub-freezing temps?

[psteng19]

It's like 10 degrees F outside.
Car takes a split second longer to start, but gets going on the first try.
I wiggle the shifter and it feels like it's submerged in a bucket of thick maple syrup that's been in the fridge.
Steering wheel is near impossible to turn until the car gets moving for several hundred feet.

 

[iamwiz82]

Gear oil, which is in your transmission, is quite thick. I would check your PS fluid, though. That should not be freezing up.

 

[Brutuskend]

sub-freezing temps

 

Because it's very cold.

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Gear oil, which is in your transmission, is quite thick. I would check your PS fluid, though. That should not be freezing up.

it's called an increase of viscosity because of cold temperatures.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Gear oil, which is in your transmission, is quite thick. I would check your PS fluid, though. That should not be freezing up.

it's called an increase of viscosity because of cold temperatures.

I have never experienced that with PS fluid, though.

 

[laurenlex]

Originally posted by: psteng19
It's like 10 degrees F outside.
Car takes a split second longer to start, but gets going on the first try.
I wiggle the shifter and it feels like it's submerged in a transmission of thick gear oil that's been exposed to freezing temperatures.
Steering wheel is near impossible to turn until the car gets moving for several hundred feet.

Fixed

 

[DurocShark]

Switch to synthetics all around and you'll see less of this issue.

And it's not the PS fluid that's stiffening, it's the grease in the rack or steering box.

 

[Ausm]

Stand outside in your underwear and the answer might come to you!

Ausm