Power steering produces about 14,000 lbs of hydraulic pressure to assist your steering. Good. On-road it is no problem to crank you steering while the car is stopped. The road surface does not create much resistance and nothing keeps your tires from turning.

Off-road, however, one or both tires might be right next to a root, a rut or a rock that you can't see from your driver's seat. With the vehicle stopped the tire is unable to turn (while moving obstacles are usually passed quickly). The force created by the power steering has to go somewhere. Usually it will bend or break your steering gear. It is the #1 component failure of off-road vehicles. Please do not add to the statistic.

Here is an example:

There is a rock next to your front right tire (you can't see it)



Right then you crank the steering to he right while the vehicle is stopped



The tire moves against the rock and can't go any farther. This stresses the steering gear and damage is likely!





One more thing about steering: Do not steer with just one hand - even worse, with the palm of your hand. You need to control every movement of your car in an unfamiliar environment. Control means you need both hands on the steering wheel.