Diagnostic Procedures

Step 1

Check Tires.
A. Same size?
B. Same brand?
C. Equally worn?
D. Abnormally worn or damaged?
E. Same tire pressure (within 1 psi)?

Record any problems noted in tire inspection.


Step 2

PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DRIVE ON A SMOOTH, FLAT (CROWN-FREE) ROAD. It is important to repeat the road test in each direction to eliminate crosswind effects. Road crown and crosswind induced leads/pulls are normal. The following steps should be followed to properly identify the complaint condition:

A. Drive the vehicle on a straight, smooth, flat (crown-free) road surface at 40-60 mph (64 km/h to 97 km/h). Shift the transaxle to neutral and allow the vehicle to coast. Momentarily release the steering wheel and note if there is a change in direction in travel.

Caution: The driver's hands should not be moved from the steering position during the momentary release of the steering wheel. Improper vehicle condition might cause path deviation. Uncorrected by driver steering, this might result in a collision and personal injury.

A deviation from straight direction in neutral indicates a lead/pull. Proceed to lead/pull corrective action procedure.

B. If no change in direction occurs in neutral, place the transaxle in drive and lightly accelerate from 40 mph to 60 mph while momentarily releasing the steering wheel.

Caution: The driver's hands should not be moved from the steering position during the momentary release of the steering wheel. Improper vehicle condition might cause path deviation. Uncorrected by driver steering, this might result in a collision and personal injury.

A noticeable deviation from a straight path in drive indicates a torque steer. Proceed to torque steer corrective action procedure.

C. With the vehicle stopped, steer left to full lock, then straighten wheel, but do not go past straight-ahead position. Lightly accelerate to 40 mph (64 km/h). Does the vehicle pull to the left throughout the acceleration? Repeat the procedure to the right. Does the vehicle now pull to the right?

If the vehicle leads/pulls in the same direction as the last maneuver, the vehicle is exhibiting a "memory steer" condition. Another indication of "memory steer" is a noticeable difference in effort required for left-to-right vs right-to-left lock-to-lock turns while the vehicle is stopped. Proceed to memory steer corrective action procedure.

D. If none of the above conditions exist, but the steering wheel is not "centered", proceed to steering wheel angle corrective action.