Strange steering?

[Fenbops]

Hi all,

New DS3 owner here with a 2012 1.6 VTI. I've had this car for just over a month and overall I'm happy with it, but I'm not sure about the steering. I'm aware it's fully electronic which is new to me. When I first start the car up and move off it makes a sort of creaking sound, ive noticed this happens mainly when turning the wheel while moving slow. Is this normal?

Another issue I've noticed is the steering seems to go heavy, especially when going over a bumpy road surface, again is this normal?

Thanks

[WTF]

Anyone got some info for Fenbops?

[BeefMasta]

The creaking sound could be the hand brake releasing? This is common when the car has sat for a while or it's been raining (so always in the UK). Might be worth doing a video of the sound so we know exactly what you're hearing?

As for heavy steering, I've not noticed any real difference between the VTi and THP. I'm fairly sure it adjusts the depending on speed though. What speeds were you going over the bumpy road?

[Fenbops]

Only doing the speed limit on bumpy roads, 30mph. When I brake I can even feel the steering tighten and pull sometimes. It's the one thing I'm a little unsure about with an otherwise fabulous car.

[pmatil]

Mine does pull when braking. I just think it's normal. Though if your tyres are really old and hardened it can pull even more! Noticed a significant difference after getting new tyres (17" stock model).

[Old Bloke]

If it creaks at low speeds when turning the wheel, or when turning the wheel whilst stationary it could be noisy top mounts on the suspension struts. I had both replaced on our C3 under warranty. (only because they changed the wrong side first)

[Fenbops]

I'm going to ring the dealer tomorrow. My main problem is it just doesn't feel nice to drive at all, I had a punto before this car and to me it felt nice to drive, I can't say the same about my DS3 at the moment. Will let you know how I get on.

[grant_w]

Mine feels like its driving 'heavy' like I am driving on flat front tyres, but it doesn't do this all of the time, is that what you mean?

[Fenbops]

Yeah I could describe it like that. It's definately heavy, while sometimes light and it pulls a lot. I definately don't think it should be making a sound when I turn the wheel. I've booked it into my local dealer under warranty next week so will see what happens

[imnottaylorswift]

Just got my car yesterday, and I have to agree - it's a 2012 1.6 VTI

The steering seems light and wants to jump around, especially on bumpier roads.

[pmatil]

If you manage to "solve" the steering jumping and pulling, I'm interested to know how. So far nothing obvious have been found on my car. What tyres and rims are you using btw? The Bellone rims are very heavy so maybe it jumps around because of them with an already light steering(?)

[StevenRB45]

I would say comparing it to a fiat is probably not a good start point, fiats electric steering always gave the impression it wasn't actually connected to the front wheels it was that light and has no road feedback(same system in 500, panda, Grande punto, mk2 punto). However if the weight is consistent while travelling and it's making noises that's an odd one so probably just as well you've got the dealer to have a look. It may just be you are feeling tyres following the camber of a poor road surface.

[trotters]

I found the steering very odd when moving from my 500 fiat. I test drove 3 DS3s before buying mine and noticed it to some degree on all of them.

It may just be you are feeling tyres following the camber of a poor road surface.

When I got my car I noticed it pulls slightly left if you're on the LHS of the camber and right on the RHS. I think going from tyres that look like they belong on a toy to reasonably wide ones makes part of the difference.

[StevenRB45]

Our DS3 does tramline a little but TBH compared to the other car we have it's a walk in the park, certainly never have to hang on to it. But I'd imagine after the helm of a punto it's a bit disconcerting (I've had 3 fiats and driven many more but the latast was about 4 years ago now so I imagine you'll know about it more than me).

[Jo67]

I've recently changed my front tyres to Uniroyal Rainsports and instantly noticed a difference in the handling. It hasn't 'tramlined' for a start, which is better, and just feels like it belongs to the road more. However, apart from the tramlining, I didn't have any complaints about my steering, so maybe not much help to you.