Steering has become lighter [CL9]

[aaronng]

Car was parked for 3/4 days (maybe 30-40 metres from the sea if that makes any difference). When we left, the car made an odd noise when I first accelerated (on a slight slope on gravel with full lock to get out of the space).

Odd noise is from your rear brake pads binding to the rotors. It happens when you park outdoors because of the moisture and regular steel in the rotors causes some rust.

Now I feel like the steering is a lot lighter (i.e. more power assistance) than it used to be, really noticed it on the way home. Not crazy light but lighter than before. Doesn't feel like anything is broken.

For comparison, it used to be quite a lot heavier than my parents car (02 Rav4) and my previous car (97 Civic) but not now (only a little bit heavier than the Rav4 now).

Any thoughts or am I just feeling things lol.

You are just feeling things, especially if you were driving a different car during the road trip and got used to how heavy that car's steering was.