Active steering goes beyond traditional power steering. It uses an electric motor and a planetary gear set built into the steering column to change how far the wheels turn relative to your hands. At low speeds, like when parking, the system decreases the steering ratio. You only have to turn the wheel slightly to swing the tires fully. At highway speeds, it increases the ratio, making the steering less sensitive so the vehicle tracks stably in the center of the lane.
The system also works with the stability control computer. If the car starts to slide on ice, active steering can make micro-adjustments to the steering angle faster than a human driver can react, helping to straighten the vehicle. If the system fails, it locks the planetary gears, returning the steering to a standard mechanical setup while turning on a dashboard warning light.