crazy steering - is something wrong or just my driving?

ali-t

I had a weird experience in my car the other day when the steering went haywire and felt like the car was going into a skid.

I was driving into a road (90 degree turn) and the car kept going right even though I had stopped steering that direction. I tried to correct it and it went really extremely to the left. The best word I can think of to describe the steering was that it felt 'loose'.

It has happened since but to a much lesser extent but I don't know if this is just a result of my driving or if something is wrong with the car. The car is a honda jazz and I have had it for 5 years so this is definitely something new.

I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas before I phone the garage. I don't want to get ripped off if this is something that isn't a fault. Thanks

somech

understeer?
slippery road surface?
tyre tread depths and pressure or a combination of all

focae

somech wrote: »

understeer?

Exactly the opposite.........oversteer. Icy roads?

ScottishSapper

ali-t wrote: »

I was driving into a road (90 degree turn) and the car kept going right even though I had stopped steering that direction. I tried to correct it and it went really extremely to the left. The best word I can think of to describe the steering was that it felt 'loose'.

Yeah well coming off the Kingsway onto Old Glamis Rd at 90 will do that :rotfl:
Sorry;) Have had similar tho on a roundabout with empty 7.5tonner, rear wheel drive on a wet road.
But I think in your case I would get the steering checked. Once maybe down to road conditions/your driving but a couple of times!!

oldagetraveller

Before Honda Jazz was mentioned I was thinking it could have been a Vauxhall with electric power steering!
However, if the Jazz has ALL electric power steering as opposed to electro - hydraulic or all hydraulic then what you describe sounds similar to one of the symptoms experienced with some models of Vauxhall with the all electric system - I know - been there!
As suggested though, you must have the steering checked in case there is anything mechanical amiss.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

The car oversteered (ie back wheels lost traction and slid left). This brought the nose of the car to the right, which you corrected, grip was reacquired, and the car then wanted to go in the direction the front wheels were pointed, which was left.

Chances are that something was on the road (diesel most likely) which caused the rear wheels to lose traction.

cyclonebri1

Because it happened at a junction I would suggest probably a diesel spillage, ask any biker about diesel and junctions

Edited to say must type faster

verybigchris

If you're feeling a bit brave, then find a big empty car-park and see if you can recreate the fault. If you can, then you know it's a problem with the car (my money's on power steering); if you can't it was probably the road conditions.

TighterThanTwoCoatsOfPain

oldagetraveller wrote: »

Before Honda Jazz was mentioned I was thinking it could have been a Vauxhall with electric power steering!
However, if the Jazz has ALL electric power steering as opposed to electro - hydraulic or all hydraulic then what you describe sounds similar to one of the symptoms experienced with some models of Vauxhall with the all electric system - I know - been there!
As suggested though, you must have the steering checked in case there is anything mechanical amiss.

I'm curious as to what difference the method of power steering assist changes the the directions the wheels point in, or the level of grip on betwen tyre and road??

darich

verybigchris wrote: »

If you're feeling a bit brave, then find a big empty car-park and see if you can recreate the fault. If you can, then you know it's a problem with the car (my money's on power steering); if you can't it was probably the road conditions.

And just hope the police don't happen upon you or you could face some awkward questions, if you're lucky. If you're unlucky they could charge you with "driving without due car and attention" or "careless/reckless driving".

I realise the car park is empty and the OP isn't a boy racer in a typical boy racer car......but the possibility remains.

Personally I think it's diesel/mud/ice on the road causing a skid maybe exaggerated by incorrect tyre pressures or low tread. 5 year old car means indpendent garage - no dealer - too expensive. Ask them to have a look at the steering if you're still concerned. Tell them the story and they may also look at suspension, shock absorbers, suspension bushes etc. but try and use a garage you trust so they don't tell you to replace several components that are unnecessary.

Is the MOT due soon? maybe get it checked at the same time?

verybigchris

darich wrote: »

And just hope the police don't happen upon you or you could face some awkward questions, if you're lucky. If you're unlucky they could charge you with "driving without due car and attention" or "careless/reckless driving".

Apologies if this starts taking the thread slightly off-topic, but I was assuming they could recreate the problem just by driving in a straight line, then turning as hard as they would normally on the road, and at the same speeds. I wasn't advocating turning their local Tesco into a skid-pan; I merely suggested doing it on a car-park rather than a public road in case something did happen.