Hello, I have read that the rx8 has a electric steering so that when the car engine is not running, u can safely steer. I tried this but when the engine is off, the power steering is inactive. Also, I find that the steering is abit harder than a Civic SI that I used to own. Is this normal? Thx

 

Yes, this is normal.
I have, in 8 yrs, had the power steering go out twice. It is stiff, but I was easily able to control my car (one time for a couple of days) with out it operating properly. Most of the time you just have to get to the connectors, that are located below the air intake box, disconnect and reconnect them to get it work again. YMMV.

 

You do know that, without any kind of power assist, you are really trying to turn something that's about 1000 something 2000 lbs with just your arms, right ?

I had my PS go out on my when I first got the car, but it hasn't happen since.

I can make it go out itself with a couple of starts/shut off. I was able to steer away, it's hard for sure, but doable.

One more thing, power assist will only assist you when your car is not moving, at speed, the power assist is disabled (you don't need it anyway)

 

Don't compare the 8 to a Civic Si's craptastic steering. I swear the Civic Si's electric rack makes the steering NUMB as **** and reminds me of those grandma driven Buicks that require less force to turn lock to lock than pulling off some panties.

 

My power steering has been out since December of last year. You'll survive, though getting into compact parking spots is a pita. When it gets really cold or really hot out, sometimes my power steering will be turned back on when I start the car, but it goes out after a few minutes of driving which can be not so fun to have the wheel jerk itself back into non-power location as you're driving down the road. Guess it's time for me to fix mine when I do my brakes this weekend.

 

Replace the wiring harness usually solves the problem.

sad but true. a 100 something bux part, Mazda "fixed" the problem in S2, and introduce a much shorter wiring harness that cost just 20 bux.