Steering system fault
Atto 3
- Color
- Red
- Urgency
- Immediate
Most lamps light for a few seconds when you power the car on. That check is not a fault by itself. This page does not replace the owner’s manual for your model year and market. Icons are schematic illustrations used on this site. They are not offered as the vehicle maker’s artwork, and they have not been checked against it. They may not match the lamp on your cluster. Urgency levels are this site’s classification, not the maker’s. If they differ from the manual, follow the manual.
What it means
The Atto 3 uses an electric motor to lighten the steering. This lamp stays on when that system has a fault, and assist can drop so the wheel becomes heavy, especially at low speed. A short hum while you turn is the motor working and is not itself this warning. Holding the wheel hard against the lock for more than a few seconds can overheat the assist even when the lamp is off.
What to do
Park as soon as you can do it safely. Expect the wheel to need more effort, and do not continue a trip that needs tight manoeuvres. Have the steering checked before you drive again. If the wheel is only heavy after a long spell of turning while stationary, pausing for several minutes can let the protection reset, but a lamp that stays on still needs a check.
Related lamps
Common questions
- The wheel feels heavy but the lamp is off. Is that this fault?
- Not always. Turning the wheel a lot while the car is not moving reduces assist on purpose so the motor does not overheat. Rest it, or power the car off, and it can recover in several minutes. A lamp that stays on is the fault to have checked.
- Can I drive to a workshop with heavy steering?
- Only if you can steer the car safely at low speed and stop without sudden swerves. If the wheel is too heavy to control, wait for a tow.