The variation in steering ratio between straight ahead and full lock results from the variance in pitch angle of the track.
The effect of the variable ratio is to give very light and relaxed steering at the straight ahead, with increased reaction when cornering.
The major benefit of the Hydrosteer system is reduction in the amount of steering effort required of the driver, particularly at low road speeds or when a lot of turning is involved.
An article in Car magazine in January 1968[5] on the Rover P5B was particularly scathing about the lightness and lack of feel of Hydrosteer steering.
Similar criticism appeared in other contemporary road test articles on the Rover and Vanden Plas 4-Litre R. Much of the blame for this may lie with the cars' manufacturers, who would have instructed Hydrosteer what to supply in terms of number of turns lock-to-lock and degree of power assistance.