Excessive corrective steering and wandering

[HomeGrown]

Just got an '09 Corolla LE used, with 28k, Toyota Certified. I know this car has electric assist power steering, so I expect somewhat of a different feeling, but not to the negative extent of what I'm experiencing.

Driving on the highway, it has the feeling of being somewhat loose and wandering, and it requires more than the average amount of corrective steering just to keep it tracking straight. As far as I can tell, the alignment is fine. When driving in the rain, this loose feeling translates into a sensation of moderate to severe instability, more so than I've felt on any other new car in the past. Had to slow way down, else it felt like I was going to spin-out.
God only knows what it would feel like driving on snow covered or icy roads.

Last year I drove a friend's new '09 S on the highway (dry conditions), and I noticed the steering felt about the same as what I'm feeling on my car... a bit wandering. This is something that's not very noticeable in city driving.

Anyone else notice this on their Corolla?

[SuperchargedMR2]

Originally Posted by HomeGrown

Just got an '09 Corolla LE used, with 28k, Toyota Certified. I know this car has electric assist power steering, so I expect somewhat of a different feeling, but not to the negative extent of what I'm experiencing.

Driving on the highway, it has the feeling of being somewhat loose and wandering, and it requires more than the average amount of corrective steering just to keep it tracking straight. As far as I can tell, the alignment is fine. When driving in the rain, this loose feeling translates into a sensation of moderate to severe instability, more so than I've felt on any other new car in the past. Had to slow way down, else it felt like I was going to spin-out.
God only knows what it would feel like driving on snow covered or icy roads.

Last year I drove a friend's new '09 S on the highway (dry conditions), and I noticed the steering felt about the same as what I'm feeling on my car... a bit wandering. This is something that's not very noticeable in city driving.

Anyone else notice this on their Corolla?

I've got a 09 "S" and I've never had any issues with the EPS. Yes, it does have a different "feel" than my other cars but I don't have to correct it as you say you have to. It also may be that it is following the roads if they are grooved or have ruts. When I went to a wider, lower profile tire the steering feel was improved even more & I don't have any complaints.

Check your tire pressure too just to make sure that nothing else is adding to the effect.

[joeylgarcia]

yes it does have that "different" steering feeling. other than that everything is ok on my 09 corolla S.

[OkSlim]

There is definately something different about the steering. I don't notice it now that I have 30K on my 09 but when I bought it , it drove me crazy.

[marioguevarra]

That is the very same thing I felt with my 09 Toyota Corolla LE when I first drove it in the interstate. SuperchargedMR2 is right. I switched to a lower, wider profile tire/performance tire and it did made a big difference. Although I do like the power steering of my Corolla compared to Honda cars.

[HomeGrown]

Thanks for the feedback guys, glad I'm not crazy!
I actually very much DO appreciate the advanced technology of this steering, but as mentioned, I'm sure I will just have to get used to it.
I also count that as good news about switching to a wider, low-profile tire. I'm all about that, and will be upgrading wheels/tires as soon as possible.

I know some of you guys must have driven in snow/ice. Any issues there?

[SuperchargedMR2]

Originally Posted by HomeGrown

Thanks for the feedback guys, glad I'm not crazy!
I actually very much DO appreciate the advanced technology of this steering, but as mentioned, I'm sure I will just have to get used to it.
I also count that as good news about switching to a wider, low-profile tire. I'm all about that, and will be upgrading wheels/tires as soon as possible.

I know some of you guys must have driven in snow/ice. Any issues there?

No issues at all. We don't usually get a lot of deep snow but plenty of times driving in freezing rain, ice & 1"-4" of snow. My winter setup is a set of Yokohama W-Drive 215/45R17 tires on MSR 043 17" x 7.5" wheels. I like the combo a lot AND they look good!

[HomeGrown]

Yeah, that setup looks VERY good!
Much better than my Contenintal tires and plastic wheel covers.

[thestone11]

I am happy with my 09 S, the steering does require sometime to get used to it. But I don't have any problems about excessive corrective steering and wandering, even at highway speed.

[nervx]

i have a friend that constantly moves the wheel slightly when he drives. he doesnt notice as he does it subconsciously and he has problems driving my 09 S.

i have no problems at all... hell sometimes i drive with two fingers.

[ZO6_Vette]

The Corolla has what I would call twitchy steering. At low speeds it is fine but at highway speeds it seems disconnected from the road. I would be afraid make quick high speed steering corrections with this car as it seems difficult to judge how the car will react. It feels like the steering is too fast for the slow mushy suspension.
Maybe the models with stiffer suspension would fair better.

[SuperchargedMR2]

Originally Posted by ZO6_Vette

Maybe the models with stiffer suspension would fair better.

That they do!

[HomeGrown]

And that's yet another mod I have in mind.... rear sway bar and strut tower brace, as I attempt to transform the lowly LE into an S (without the S appearance).

[Senor89]

All I notice was the wandering when I am driving on the freeway but that is pretty much it. ERS was weird at first, but after awhile you get use to it and will hardly notice it while driving.

[flamedrgn]

my car does do alittle wandering at times but i dont notice anymore.