09 Matrix ride quality

[Eric Rollins]

My 09 Matrix 1.8l auto, tires 205-55-R16, is a great car, and I am totally statisfied with the excellent engine, auto tranny and the handling. The ride quality is good on smooth roads. Heaven forbid when the road has small or large potholes and asphalt small ridges. Boom, bang, crash, thud, sometimes I think the back seat is going to come loose from the vibration. I do not know what the Toyota engineers were thinking when they allowed this inferior ride quality to be built into a TRIX. Does anyone have any ideas what I can do to soften the ride?
Eric Rollins

[lowincash]

is it that bad? i would have thought the base model will have a better ride. my 09 vibe gt which has the same suspension as the 09 matrix xrs and the ride is not that bad over rough roads. a bit stiff but nothing that will make it seem like the car is falling apart.

[TRXR4KDS]

I've never noticed it in my daughters 09 base trix, nor has she or her husband ever mentioned anything about it. This is the first I've heard of someone complaining about their suspension, maybe you've got a specific problem?

[dchev]

Your Matrix ride is just fine! It is because of our rear semi-independent suspension. I test drove the XRS and AWD Matrix and I can say that independent suspension makes huge difference for me; however, gas milage on our base Matrix is much much better!!!
You can soften the ride and noise levels by getting better tires like Michelin Premacy and use Dynamat on your doors and hatch to make the car much quiter.

[jdhog]

maybe the rear seat backs are not locked in, or the spare tire and jack is rattilng?

I have my tires up to max sidewall and don't have any issues.

[BlackCamSe]

check to make sure your tires arent over inflated

[lowincash]

Originally Posted by dchev

Your Matrix ride is just fine! It is because of our rear semi-independent suspension. I test drove the XRS and AWD Matrix and I can say that independent suspension makes huge difference for me; however, gas milage on our base Matrix is much much better!!!
You can soften the ride and noise levels by getting better tires like Michelin Premacy and use Dynamat on your doors and hatch to make the car much quiter.

i think you might be right about the suspension. i remember my maxima with a torsion beam in the rear and whenever i go over a bump you'll hear it and feel it pretty hard. on smooth road it's fine but damn on those rough roads it felt like the car was falling apart. that's one reason i chose a car with independent rear suspension...they tend to absorb bumps better and won't toss the car around. i go thru the same bumps now and car still feels in control and not that rough too.

[PlatinumVibe08]

Originally Posted by XxTrD_ToYoTaxX

check to make sure your tires arent over inflated

+1

Check your tire pressures. There's the possibility that your issue could be as simple as having 40+ psi in the tires. If so, let them down to the recommended pressure (32psi?) and see if the car rides smoother. Some folks like the slightly increased fuel economy afforded by running the tires with the max psi indicated on the sidewall at the expense of ride quality and safety. Here's an excerpt from my 2008 Vibe owner's manual:

Inflation - Tire Pressure
Tires need the correct amount of air pressure
to operate effectively.
Notice: Do not let anyone tell you that
under-inflation or over-inflation is all right.
It is not. If your tires do not have enough air
(under-inflation), you can get the following:
• Too much flexing
• Too much heat
• Tire overloading
• Premature or irregular wear
• Poor handling
• Reduced fuel economy
If your tires have too much air (over-inflation),
you can get the following:
• Unusual wear
• Poor handling
• Rough ride
• Needless damage from road hazards

[altezza86]

I have to agree with you. I also own a 2009 base Matrix, and the ride quality is really poor. My dashboard literally shakes alot whenever I go over a rough surface (bump), and I'm starting to have a problem with the windshield as it edges squeeks whenever I go over a bump as well. I'm not happy with the "reliability" asset from Toyota, although keep in mind this car was assembled in Canada.

[tm1]

haven't had any issues with ride quality. ain't a rolls or even a camry, but even these edmonton roads aren't shaking me up too badly. my tires are at 36 psi all round.

[FSStrix09]

i run 45psi. streets are perfect here and i live 2 miles from work so its short hypermiled trips everywhere i go.

[Jimmie Boy]

New here. Got my 09 2 weeks ago.
I kind of expected a bit of a stiff ride from the back end becuase I think it is designed to carry more cargo than say a Corolla. I haven't tried a load yet, but I would expect the ride will be much different with the back full of camping gear and a couple of bikes on a rack. Maybe I am way off base here. Let me know.

[jdhog]

I had 4 * 50lb bags of sand in mine this weekend for a short trip and it handled fine. You could see it sitting a bit lower but could have easily carried a couple more bags.