Different vehicles, different steering feel?

2534 Views 13 Replies 6 Participants Last post by metsfan84, Mar 19, 2019

metsfan84

Discussion Starter · Mar 16, 2019

My family currently has two '18 CR-V leases: an EX that I got last March, and an EX-L that I got in January.

Whenever I'm driving the EX for a while and get back into the EX-L, it feels like the EX-L's steering is a bit looser. It's probably just my senses playing tricks with me (the smoothness of the leather steering wheel, perhaps?).

I don't think there's a problem. I'm just wondering if the steering on two different vehicles can be calibrated slightly differently, or if I'm just imagining it.

Does anybody else have experience driving two different Gen 5s? What do you think?

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Carbuff2

· #2 · Mar 17, 2019

Do the two cars have the same brand of tires?

Are the tires inflated to the same PSI?

Are mileages on both about the same?

All the above could contribute to differences in feel and apparent effort.

I know you didn't think it was a problem, but if it DOES bother you, a front end alignment might make a difference. (Caster angle can increase steering effort a LOT for the power assist.)

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metsfan84

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 17, 2019

Carbuff2 said:
Do the two cars have the same brand of tires?

Are the tires inflated to the same PSI?

Are mileages on both about the same?

All the above could contribute to differences in feel and apparent effort.

I know you didn't think it was a problem, but if it DOES bother you, a front end alignment might make a difference. (Caster angle can increase steering effort a LOT for the power assist.)

Both cars have Bridgestone tires.

The EX has about 8000 miles, and the EX-L has about 1000.

How does PSI impact steering feel? I have checked and filled the tires on the older car, but not the newer one.

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Carbuff2

· #4 · Mar 17, 2019

A high PSI tire turns 'easier', with less resistance.

(You should check the new car... Some dealers forget to reduce the pressure from the factory-applied 'storage' PSI of ~50 to the PSI recommended on the driver's door pillar. Our new HR-V was running 48!)

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metsfan84

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 17, 2019

Carbuff2 said:
A high PSI tire turns 'easier', with less resistance.

(You should check the new car... Some dealers forget to reduce the pressure from the factory-applied 'storage' PSI of ~50 to the PSI recommended on the driver's door pillar. Our new HR-V was running 48!)

I just checked the tire pressure in both cars. The pressure in the new car was actually lower than it should be for all four tires (around 25-26 instead of the recommended 33/30). I'll inflate them tomorrow, but if anything, based on what you're saying, it should have the opposite of the desired effect.

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Carbuff2

· #6 · Mar 17, 2019

Might just be the newer tires then.:confused2:

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metsfan84

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 18, 2019

Carbuff2 said:
Might just be the newer tires then.:confused2:

Or maybe I'm just imagining it. I don't know.

I inflated the tires to the proper pressure today. I don't think I could tell a difference in the steering feel, but if nothing else, they are now inflated to a safer pressure.

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mystix

· #8 · Mar 18, 2019

You should wear a blindfold and then drive them consecutively to see if you can tell the difference.

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metsfan84

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 18, 2019

mystix said:
You should wear a blindfold and then drive them consecutively to see if you can tell the difference.

I can't tell if you're making a joke (driving blindfolded) or if you're suggesting walking up to the car blindfolded and then driving it. If it's the latter, the interiors are different (cloth vs. leather), so I would know.

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anossier

· #10 · Mar 18, 2019

Maybe different final assembly locations with components made in different countries.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

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fishycomics

· #11 · Mar 18, 2019

the ELECTRIC steerng...

Less air would mean more pressure that you are feeling. Nitragen or air no difference its AIR

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Mike728

· #12 · Mar 18, 2019

fishycomics said:
the ELECTRIC steerng...

Less air would mean more pressure that you are feeling. Nitragen or air no difference its AIR

I fill my tires with Helium. It makes the car feel lighter and improves MPG's.

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Carbuff2

· #13 · Mar 18, 2019

The last few posts are, um, quite humorous. :angel2:

:uhoh3:

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metsfan84

Discussion Starter · #14 · Mar 19, 2019

Doing a little bit of clicking around on other forums, people mention steering rack adjustments. Does anybody have experience with this? Is this something I should look into doing at the dealership?

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