Suzuki Vitara - Suzuki Vitara steering not self centre

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Fri 21 Jun 2024 17:55
Suzuki Vitara - Suzuki Vitara steering not self centre - NBUK

Hi,

I have been driving my 2019 Suzuki Vitara 1.4T all grip auto for just over a year. I noticed that my car's steering wheel would not self centre but off 5-10 degree left or right after turning the steering wheel left or right. I tried different scenarios and found that

1) If I slightly turn the steering wheel a bit, it will steer in that direction forever. The slower (5-20mph) the speed of the car, the bigger the angle I can turn without it self centre

2) If I accelerate, it will self centre more but not completely

3) If I drive faster (~ 30mph) or uphill, it returns self centre even more. I have yet to test higher speed.

Tyre pressure of 4 wheels is normal (I tried both 34psi and 36psi). There is abnormal wear pattern.

I just completed full annual service at Suzuki main dealer a few weeks ago and everything came out normal. Would they check this during the annual servicing?

Is this normal behaviour? Do I need to worry about? I search Internet and some recommend 4 wheel alignment for self centre problem. Shall I go to Suzuki dealer for this or independent garage?

This is the first car and need some advices

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Fri 21 Jun 2024 18:10
Suzuki Vitara - Suzuki Vitara steering not self centre - elekie&a/c doctor
Abnormal tyre wear would indicate an alignment issue . Early versions is this model vitara did suffer with bad rear tyre wear due a problem with the rear axle . A 2019 shouldn’t have this problem. I would certainly get a 4 wheel geometry check . Not sure if a main dealer would have the correct equipment for this .
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Fri 21 Jun 2024 18:39
Suzuki Vitara - Suzuki Vitara steering not self centre - NBUK
Thanks for advice. I made a typo. All tyres do not show abnormal wear.
I am planning to replace all 4 tyres in the next 1-2 months when Costco has promotion on Michelin.
Rear tyres are 4 years old and original, front tyres are 2 years old Korm****. I noticed front tyres are rated 98V while rear tyres are 94V
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Fri 21 Jun 2024 18:49
Suzuki Vitara - Suzuki Vitara steering not self centre - elekie&a/c doctor
My wife has a Vitara and the electric power steering works fine , but I do think there’s not much “feel “ in the straight ahead or slightly off centre. There’s probably not much wrong with yours .
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Sat 22 Jun 2024 19:49
Suzuki Vitara - Suzuki Vitara steering not self centre - NBUK

Hi elekie&a/c doctor

Thank you for your information

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Sun 23 Jun 2024 12:21
Suzuki Vitara - Suzuki Vitara steering not self centre - Rerepo

I think what you are describing is likely normal for your car (and many cars with electric power steering). Steering 'returnability' is determined by the self-centring force (largely generated by caster angle) exceeding the friction in the steering system. The power assistance is usually via a motor driving a worm gear which turns a large nylon gear wheel on the steeriNg shaft. At low steering angle the self centring force may not exceed the steering gear friction and so the wheel doesn't return fully to centre but to within a few degrees of centre. This can be disconcerting, e.g. on long motorway curves.

Some early EPAS systems were terrible (Mitsubishi Colt springs to mind) and had really poor returnability. Some more recent EPAS systems have 'power centring' in the controller software to actually ease the wheel back to centre - but that can also give an odd feel, especially on motorways.

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Sun 23 Jun 2024 16:42
Suzuki Vitara - Suzuki Vitara steering not self centre - NBUK

Hello Rerepo,

Thank you for your explanation. That's something new to me. You seem to read my mind. I am practicing to drive on motorway. The self return of steering at low speed makes me unease. I hold it with both hands on A-road with bumps and motorway.

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