>> My Vauxhall / GM  Astra has an electrical power steering pump, lose
>> that
>> and I can't turn the wheel.... Is that counted as drive by wire?
>
>You CAN turn the steering if the pump fails, it just takes a lot of
>effort.  The same with servo assisted brakes, you need good leg muscles
>to stop the car without the engine running, but it is possible.

Yes, it is an interesting experience to have your foot on the brake, and 
turn the engine off, while the car is on a slight slope. You feel the brake 
pedal get steadily harder to push as the vacuum bleeds away, and you try to 
stop the car rolling.

Typically when driving at highway speed the loss of power steering will be 
barely noticeable, it will really only effect the amount of effort you need 
to put into the steering at low speed. Does act as a form of 'fail safe' by 
making you rather nervous about starting off again after it fails.

I hadn't heard of using electric pumps for PS before, I guess it simplifies 
the factory installation of a heap of engine options that smaller cars seem 
to have these days, by not requiring the pump to be mounted on the engine.

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