8 hours ago, AjitBassan said:

I've had the car for 5 months now. Bought it at 15k miles, it has now done 19k miles. I have the exact same tyres that come from factory with between 33-36psi on all 4 tyres. My steering feels noticeably heavier and pulls to the left when the steering wheel is centred. I do notice the torque steer but I just feel the steering has a mind of its own. I come from a 2012 toyota aygo which didn't have no problem with the steering like this. I am going to a professional alignment shop called GeoByLuke to get this checked to make sure all is fine.

Yes, as Eric Bloodaxe advises the tyre pressure is so important.

I was checking mine with a portable gauge but found a garage machine to be more accurate. Adjusting to the recommended pressures made a noticeable difference for me. 

Are you driving any other vehicles regularly other than yours? If so maybe you are just not fully getting used to yours?

Good luck and keep us all posted.

Hi @Casbantam,

Any update on the steering following your tyre replacement?

I've just bought a 2019 (69 plate) Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost, which has only done 12,000 miles, and I can't shake this sense that the steering is off somehow - it feels a fair bit heavier than I'm used to and, as you put it, "vague". I checked the tyre pressure last night and the tyre pressure pump at the garage showed discrepancies with what the car's computer was showing, which has made me wonder whether it's a central electronics issue that's causing incorrect readings and reduced power to the steering.

Booked it in for a Ford Essential service on Wednesday (earliest I could get) but in the meantime I'm trying to work out whether I'm just overthinking it because it feels different to cars I've driven before or whether this is a genuine issue.

Keen to hear the latest on your situation.

1 hour ago, olliescrim said:

tyre pressure pump at the garage showed discrepancies with what the car's computer was showing

Hi Ollie,

In my experience a lot of garage/filling station pumps are not accurate. You need to check with a decent pressure gauge

 

1 hour ago, olliescrim said:

whether I'm just overthinking it because it feels different to cars I've driven before or whether this is a genuine issue.

What were you driving previously? And what wheel/tyre size do you have on your Titanium?

6 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Hi Ollie,

In my experience a lot of garage/filling station pumps are not accurate. You need to check with a decent pressure gauge

 

What were you driving previously? And what wheel/tyre size do you have on your Titanium?

Thanks, Eric. I did wonder about the quality of the garage pump and the accuracy of its readings. I'll order a pressure gauge.

I was previously driving a 2014 Mazda 3 and before that a 2006 Toyota Corolla. Both felt a lot less heavy on the steering front.

56 minutes ago, olliescrim said:

 I was previously driving a 2014 Mazda 3 and before that a 2006 Toyota Corolla. Both felt a lot less heavy on the steering front.

Different cars of course, but the Mazda 3 of that era was not a bad drive iirc. Certainly the current Corolla is an altogether different kettle of fish to the earlier versions, though, and a Fiesta would feel different.

Never really thought of Fiestas as being particularly heavy to steer though (we've had 6 over the years, amongst lots of other stuff) and I wouldn't use the term "vague" about them either. So possible that your car may have sustained some damage/misalignment due to road conditions.

It will be interesting to see if the garage** comes up with anything. (I assume you have specifically asked them to check the condition of wheels/tyres and alignment, as the "essential service" is basically little more than an oil and filter change and a cursory inspection.)

(** Assume this wasn't a dealer purchase? They would normally be first port of call if you suspect a fault.)

 

On 11/29/2024 at 11:33 AM, olliescrim said:

Hi @Casbantam,

Any update on the steering following your tyre replacement?

I've just bought a 2019 (69 plate) Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost, which has only done 12,000 miles, and I can't shake this sense that the steering is off somehow - it feels a fair bit heavier than I'm used to and, as you put it, "vague". I checked the tyre pressure last night and the tyre pressure pump at the garage showed discrepancies with what the car's computer was showing, which has made me wonder whether it's a central electronics issue that's causing incorrect readings and reduced power to the steering.

Booked it in for a Ford Essential service on Wednesday (earliest I could get) but in the meantime I'm trying to work out whether I'm just overthinking it because it feels different to cars I've driven before or whether this is a genuine issue.

Keen to hear the latest on your situation.

Sorry, not been about last month or so. Yes, since the tyre was changed all good.

TBH I don't think the tyre made that much difference! I think the pressures are so important to get right and also I think I just got used to it now. I dont even think about it now.

Hope you got sorted though.

I'm having a similar issue with my 2020 ActiveX which has the 18" wheels fitted, it's recently started and is more noticeable when your at motorway speeds , you are having to constantly correct the steering to keep it straight. The front tyres are Michelin pilot sport which were fitted last year and the tracking was checked adjusted earlier this year. I've got the car booked in to get the tracking looked at to see if that resolves the issue.