SNAKE

john1509 · 6th September 2006, 16:01

hi guys wonder if someone can put abit of light on my problem. when i drive my car on the motorway i have noticed the car like snakes and i have to correct it. its funny realy to pinpoint its all tho the steering goes light. it like when you have your boot full which makes the steering lighter its only happend twice now. but im thinking its me cos i had a 4x4 before the civic im thinking it might be the shock obsorbers that people on the forum is talking about so i dont know if anyone else has had this problem thanks john

elfa7 · 6th September 2006, 16:51

Make sure your tyre pressures are correct. If they are correct , take it to the Dealer to check out.

Newboy · 6th September 2006, 17:26

must be a bit disconcerting. as elfa7 says, get it checked !!!!

john1509 · 6th September 2006, 17:42

tx guys will check the tyre pressure if ok will phone the dealer

The Great Soprendo · 8th September 2006, 12:21

Don't want to underestimate what could be something else (so get it checked), but is it possible that it's just down to getting used to the characteristics of the Civic steering? From memory, it only has 2.2 turns lock-to-lock. My Alfa 156 has exactly the same - 2.2 - and I remember it being described once as having the fastest (ie shortest number of turns lock-to-lock) steering of any production car. As an aside, the Alfa also has a crap turning circle, whereas the Civic seems a bit more manouverable.

When I first got the Alfa I noticed that it's a bit jittery on motorways, with the steering often requiring correction. I always put it down to this fast steering, as even the slightest correct seems to turn the car noticeably. Since the Civic has a similarly ratioed steering system I didn't notice anything unusual when test driving it...I guess I got used to it with the Alfa.

One benefit of quick steering - you really feel like you can throw the car around like a go-cart (though the Civic rolls more than the Alfa, as you'd probably expect) and don't have to cross your hands during manoeuvres. It's particularly great on twisty roads out of town.

Alternatively I've got the total wrong end of this particular stick, in which case excuse my ramblings....

Pottsy · 8th September 2006, 13:33

Although the quick steering doesn't help, I think the car is prone to tramlining, as any car with relatively firm McPherson strut front suspension and wide wheels does. Anyone know if the Civ has a good dollop of neg camber? The sharp cornering makes it feel like it does, and one side effect of neg camber is also tramlining.

onboardtraining · 8th September 2006, 13:41

Hi,

I think you will find it is the steering.
Most other cars have a very small amount of play/slack in the steering i.e. your hands move the wheel very slightly - no directional change to car. However, what you will find is that the steering on the new Civic is so tight and responsive that it picks up even the slightest hand movements wich may have gone un-noticed in other cars, and the car seems to move slightly out of position.

Sorry if this is wrong, but just down to my own early observations when drivingit and watching others drive it.

Cheers, Brian

3rd Honda · 8th September 2006, 14:27

I agree that it is likely to be the 'quick' steering.....and made more noticeable due to the low profile tyres having quite stiff sidewalls, but also due to the dreadful 'grooving' that there is on some sections of motorway, especially in the left hand lane. This is most noticeable to the eye when the sun is low, but undoubtedly does affect the steering

allan40alt · 8th September 2006, 15:06

Is it possible for you to test another Civic on the same stretch of motorway to see if the same thing happens

john1509 · 8th September 2006, 19:03

hi guys just a update on my prob took my car to the dealer today who went for a test drive. he said that the steering seems ok. around town but i said it happens on the motorway at speed. so i have to take it back on monday when he will test it at speed with the head mechanic can go with him as he was off today

WoolyCiv · 8th September 2006, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by onboardtraining

Hi,

I think you will find it is the steering.
Most other cars have a very small amount of play/slack in the steering i.e. your hands move the wheel very slightly - no directional change to car. However, what you will find is that the steering on the new Civic is so tight and responsive that it picks up even the slightest hand movements wich may have gone un-noticed in other cars, and the car seems to move slightly out of position.

Sorry if this is wrong, but just down to my own early observations when drivingit and watching others drive it.

Cheers, Brian

Totally agree. When I first collected the civic , my wife complained that she did't feel safe as I kept 'jerking all over the road like a learner'. Soon got used to it though and I would now find any other car totally unresponsive.

Miggins · 11th September 2006, 22:23

This is characteristic of wide low profile tyres - especially on the motorway where the HGV's have worn a track a bit wider than the Civics.

I've also found that tyre pressures are critical - just 2 psi over the recommended settings and the car gets very lively but this would be the case on all roads.

(no fun on a poor dipped beam at speed!)

6th September 2006, 16:01	#1 (permalink)
john1509 Supporter Wheelnut Join Date: 28th August 2006 Location: lancashire Posts: 66 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	SNAKE hi guys wonder if someone can put abit of light on my problem. when i drive my car on the motorway i have noticed the car like snakes and i have to correct it. its funny realy to pinpoint its all tho the steering goes light. it like when you have your boot full which makes the steering lighter its only happend twice now. but im thinking its me cos i had a 4x4 before the civic im thinking it might be the shock obsorbers that people on the forum is talking about so i dont know if anyone else has had this problem thanks john

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This thread is about: SNAKE, it's in General Discussion at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; hi guys wonder if someone can put abit of light on my problem. when i drive my car on the motorway i have noticed the ...

6th September 2006, 16:51	#2 (permalink)
elfa7 Supporter Rocketship door handle Join Date: 8th May 2006 Location: Cheshire Posts: 1,699 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Make sure your tyre pressures are correct. If they are correct , take it to the Dealer to check out.

6th September 2006, 17:26	#3 (permalink)
Newboy Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 27th July 2006 Location: NE Surrey, UK Posts: 277 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	must be a bit disconcerting. as elfa7 says, get it checked !!!!

6th September 2006, 17:42	#4 (permalink)
john1509 Supporter Wheelnut Join Date: 28th August 2006 Location: lancashire Posts: 66 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	tx guys will check the tyre pressure if ok will phone the dealer

8th September 2006, 12:21	#5 (permalink)
The Great Soprendo Wheelnut Join Date: 20th July 2006 Location: Location, Location Posts: 63 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Don't want to underestimate what could be something else (so get it checked), but is it possible that it's just down to getting used to the characteristics of the Civic steering? From memory, it only has 2.2 turns lock-to-lock. My Alfa 156 has exactly the same - 2.2 - and I remember it being described once as having the fastest (ie shortest number of turns lock-to-lock) steering of any production car. As an aside, the Alfa also has a crap turning circle, whereas the Civic seems a bit more manouverable. When I first got the Alfa I noticed that it's a bit jittery on motorways, with the steering often requiring correction. I always put it down to this fast steering, as even the slightest correct seems to turn the car noticeably. Since the Civic has a similarly ratioed steering system I didn't notice anything unusual when test driving it...I guess I got used to it with the Alfa. One benefit of quick steering - you really feel like you can throw the car around like a go-cart (though the Civic rolls more than the Alfa, as you'd probably expect) and don't have to cross your hands during manoeuvres. It's particularly great on twisty roads out of town. Alternatively I've got the total wrong end of this particular stick, in which case excuse my ramblings....

8th September 2006, 13:33	#6 (permalink)
Pottsy Administrator Civinfo master Join Date: 10th April 2006 Location: Leics Posts: 5,930 Thanks: 26 Thanked 242 Times in 129 Posts iTrader: (0)	Although the quick steering doesn't help, I think the car is prone to tramlining, as any car with relatively firm McPherson strut front suspension and wide wheels does. Anyone know if the Civ has a good dollop of neg camber? The sharp cornering makes it feel like it does, and one side effect of neg camber is also tramlining.

8th September 2006, 13:41	#7 (permalink)
onboardtraining Wheelnut Join Date: 30th June 2006 Location: Larkhall, Scotland Posts: 58 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	Hi, I think you will find it is the steering. Most other cars have a very small amount of play/slack in the steering i.e. your hands move the wheel very slightly - no directional change to car. However, what you will find is that the steering on the new Civic is so tight and responsive that it picks up even the slightest hand movements wich may have gone un-noticed in other cars, and the car seems to move slightly out of position. Sorry if this is wrong, but just down to my own early observations when drivingit and watching others drive it. Cheers, Brian

8th September 2006, 14:27	#8 (permalink)
3rd Honda Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 24th July 2006 Location: Tewkesbury Posts: 414 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts iTrader: (0)	I agree that it is likely to be the 'quick' steering.....and made more noticeable due to the low profile tyres having quite stiff sidewalls, but also due to the dreadful 'grooving' that there is on some sections of motorway, especially in the left hand lane. This is most noticeable to the eye when the sun is low, but undoubtedly does affect the steering

8th September 2006, 15:06	#9 (permalink)
allan40alt Supporter Civinfo guru Join Date: 6th August 2006 Location: England Posts: 2,253 Thanks: 13 Thanked 33 Times in 31 Posts iTrader: (0)	Is it possible for you to test another Civic on the same stretch of motorway to see if the same thing happens

8th September 2006, 19:03	#10 (permalink)
john1509 Supporter Wheelnut Join Date: 28th August 2006 Location: lancashire Posts: 66 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: (0)	hi guys just a update on my prob took my car to the dealer today who went for a test drive. he said that the steering seems ok. around town but i said it happens on the motorway at speed. so i have to take it back on monday when he will test it at speed with the head mechanic can go with him as he was off today

11th September 2006, 22:23	#12 (permalink)
Miggins Enthusiastic Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 25th August 2006 Location: The Twilight Zone Posts: 537 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader: (0)	This is characteristic of wide low profile tyres - especially on the motorway where the HGV's have worn a track a bit wider than the Civics. I've also found that tyre pressures are critical - just 2 psi over the recommended settings and the car gets very lively but this would be the case on all roads. (no fun on a poor dipped beam at speed!)