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Old 03-02-2013, 10:58 PM   #1
bettrave
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Default Steering straight...

Hi,
We previously owned a Corolla.
We now own a 2013 Impreza.

It seems that we a little problem steering the car straight on the highway.
The car seems to wave from right to left a little a bit.
We went to the dealer and they said everything was fine and we were told that's because we are not used to the steering of a Subaru...
A friend of mine tried and had the same problem.

Could it be us?
If not, what could it be and waht to tell the dealer to check?
Any ideas?

Thank you.
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Old 03-03-2013, 12:15 AM   #2
Rememo
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I've noticed the same kind of thing, but I'd call it more of a nuisance than a problem. The Impreza seems to be very sensitive to crosswinds. One person on the forum claimed that installing a strut tower brace improved the situation. You could also have your alignment checked.

On a side note: Some owners of the new Ford Focus had bad / improperly installed steering racks which caused issues during highway travel. The car would begin to move in one direction, the driver would correct, and then the car would over-correct in the other direction. Very dangerous on slippery roads.

The Subaru isn't has bad as that, but it does seems to demand constant corrections.
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Old 03-03-2013, 01:52 AM   #3
hi5.0
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I notice mine "wanders" a bit too - and have also noted it is quite affected by crosswinds.
How old is the Corolla? I only ask because this is the first car I've owned with EPS - electric power steering. Generally don't care for it since it doesn't give as much feedback compared to hydraulic power steering found on older cars that I'm used to. Still, Subaru's version is tons better than the first EPS-equipped car I sampled (Saturn ION) which was utter crap.
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Old 03-03-2013, 02:08 AM   #4
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Mine is definitely squirrelly under wind gusts. We had some winds come through the Vancouver / Vancouver Island area last weekend, and my car was just begging to go with the wind.

Doesn't take much either. Obviously, at highway speeds, if the wind gusts are like 50-80 km/hr (30-50 MPH for our neighbours to the south), it's to be expected... although some of the wind gusts that my car was navigating in (navigating with? ) were apparently closer to 15-30 km/hr (10-20 MPH).

EDIT: Not that it matters or could be even remotely related, but this post reminds me to have my alignment checked the next time I get it serviced. I completely forgot to do that at the first service (after delivery).
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Old 03-03-2013, 08:53 AM   #5
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I haven't noticed any issues. maybe I haven't experienced any serious cross-winds on the highway yet.
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Old 03-03-2013, 10:22 AM   #6
gravitylover
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My XV is obviously going to be more affected by wind than the Imp because it sits a bit higher but you have to expect any car with as much surface area on the side as these and a narrow track to be negatively affected in moderate to heavy winds. This has been a problem a bunch of times but nothing I didn't expect or can't live with.

There is also a pretty good chance that your tires are "tramlining." If the pavement isn't perfect many tires like to follow every contour in the road especially if the pressure isn't perfect. Winter tires are generally more prone to tramlining, did your car do the same thing with the stockers?
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Old 03-03-2013, 12:21 PM   #7
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Assuming it pulls when there is no wind as wind will make your car move
1: make sure your tires are at proper psi
2: make sure tires are balanced
3: have an alignment performed

done
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Old 03-03-2013, 06:53 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rememo View Post
I've noticed the same kind of thing, but I'd call it more of a nuisance than a problem. The Impreza seems to be very sensitive to crosswinds.
Interesting, have also noticed my '12 Imprezas steering feels a little weird at highway speeds ie 60 to 70 mph. I'd say it always feels a vague straight ahead at Freeway speeds a bit like a Playstation wheel but when the car is buffeted by cross winds the vagueness translates to the cars nerviness because its harder to precisely adjust for the cars movement.

When my wife drives she thinks it's scary because her previous car a Mazda 6 was completely stable in similar conditions on the same often used Highway.
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Old 03-03-2013, 07:06 PM   #9
bettrave
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@ hi5.0
It was a 2006 Corolla.

@ aeoporta
Except for tire pressure, I'll have to pay...
I went to dealer and since someone did a road test and found nothing abnormal, they won't do anything further.

I experience that even when there is no wind.
Could a EPS needs calibration?
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Old 03-03-2013, 07:29 PM   #10
aeoporta
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Well if no one has suggested this the stock yoko could be the cause. Dealership might check to see if alignment is out but if its not the alignment then it's those tires. Some ppl like them others like myself do not neither car has them so we would need more input from ppl with these tires also check how they are wearing
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Old 03-03-2013, 10:36 PM   #11
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I haven't gotten my Impreza yet, I'm still stuck on the CVT vs MT decision. But this is a timely thread. My parents recently got an Impreza and I took it for a test drive today. I noticed this same thing at high speeds. It was sort of breezy today, but I don't think that's what was causing this. As others said, I just felt like I was having to constantly correct. Not a huge problem, but it was a bit of an annoyance and under certain circumstances I can see it being a little worrisome.
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Old 03-03-2013, 11:16 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aeoporta View Post
Well if no one has suggested this the stock yoko could be the cause. Dealership might check to see if alignment is out but if its not the alignment then it's those tires.
Personally I don't think its the Tires or alignment as it doesn't seem to be a problem for ours at all below 50mph and only seems to get vague from 60mph up, I'm wondering if its a software problem ( think most likely) where Subaru has over deadend the " on center " feel or an aerodynamic problem ( less likely ) where the cars front gets lighter from lift ?
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Old 03-04-2013, 08:46 AM   #13
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do you guys that are noticing an issue have the yokohama tires? i'm not sure if they deliver these cars with something else...
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Old 03-04-2013, 08:52 AM   #14
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well I don't have this steering issue with my two imp, both currently have on winter tires.
Also the base imp does not have rear sway which MIGHT play a role here

For anyone with the imp base version do you also notice the steering pull when driving above 60mph? (with stock tires)


For anyone with the imp above base version do you also notice steering pull when driving above 60mph? (with stock tires)
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Old 03-04-2013, 09:04 AM   #15
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Mine gets blown around by the wind a lot. On calm days, I can let go of the steering wheel and the car wont move an inch side to side.
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Old 03-04-2013, 10:34 AM   #16
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My steering seemed to improve after installing the 19mm rear sway bar. Could be my imagination but I didn't notice it as much afterwards.
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Old 03-04-2013, 01:01 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by foghelmut View Post
Mine gets blown around by the wind a lot. On calm days, I can let go of the steering wheel and the car wont move an inch side to side.
^^This--same boat here, although even in strong winds it's not bad enough for me to feel uncomfortable or that it's dangerous.
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Old 03-04-2013, 01:41 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jsteg View Post
^^This--same boat here, although even in strong winds it's not bad enough for me to feel uncomfortable or that it's dangerous.
Agreed. But someone earlier thought that maybe an upgrade to a 19mm (STI) rear sway bar may have improved this symptom. I'd be curious to know if others with the upgraded RSB feel that the car tracks better in the wind. And, I suppose, I'd be curious to know if those with the base Impreza (which has no RSB at all) find that the car wanders badly in the wind when compared to those of us with the stock (16mm) RSB.
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Old 03-04-2013, 06:45 PM   #19
PA452
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So the Premium models come with a RSB and the base models do not?

The Impreza that I noticed this with was a base model.
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Old 03-04-2013, 07:16 PM   #20
sgoldste01
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PA452 View Post
So the Premium models come with a RSB and the base models do not?

The Impreza that I noticed this with was a base model.
Yes, the base has no RSB, and my Sport Premium has a stock 16 mm RSB. The STI RSB is 19 mm, and this is what many people upgrade to.
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Old 03-09-2013, 10:41 PM   #21
bettrave
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I have winter tires: Gislaved
What is RSB?

Should I do a alignment check for my problem?
Is it possible that electronic steering needs a calibration?
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Old 03-10-2013, 07:53 AM   #22
sgoldste01
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RSB = Rear Stabilize Bar

Since your Impreza is a base model, you don't have one. My Sport Premium has a 16 mm RSB, and many people upgrade to the STI's 19 mm RSB. You could try to find someone with a Sport Impreza that upgraded from 16 mm to 19 mm, as he would have a 16 mm bar that he doesn't need anymore.

Or, if it was me, I'd upgrade a base Impreza directly to the STI's 19 mm bar. They only cost approximately $100. Actually, a base Impreza owner would have to pay a bit more than that, as you don't have any end links on your base, so you would need those components too. But that would be true in order for you to install someone's old 16 mm bar too, so it's all a wash.
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Old 03-10-2013, 04:59 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gravitylover View Post
.

There is also a pretty good chance that your tires are "tramlining." If the pavement isn't perfect many tires like to follow every contour in the road especially if the pressure isn't perfect. Winter tires are generally more prone to tramlining, did your car do the same thing with the stockers?
I think "tramlining" might be what I'm experiencing when I traverse certain draw bridges with the metal grating.. my impreza sport premium pulls every which way, and its frankly sorta scary. any one else have this sort of issue? I have the stock Yoko's and no suspension mods yet.
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Old 03-11-2013, 09:22 AM   #24
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If it tries to steer itself when your foot is on the gas, it's just the awd.
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Old 03-11-2013, 09:45 AM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dstroy View Post
If it tries to steer itself when your foot is on the gas, it's just the awd.
Huh?
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