Anyone think the Fit wanders at highway speeds?
#22
When I was driving my '07 MT Sport, I was amazed at how straight it would track on stock wheels/tires. I would see how far I could go without touching the steering wheel - usually ran out of road before I needed to adjust steering.
My '09 MT Sport, 100% stock, isn't bad, but I do have to make minor adjustments over the same stretches of road that used to be hands-free. I'll leave it to ya'll to debate the how's and whyfors, just figured I'd throw out my experiences.
My '09 MT Sport, 100% stock, isn't bad, but I do have to make minor adjustments over the same stretches of road that used to be hands-free. I'll leave it to ya'll to debate the how's and whyfors, just figured I'd throw out my experiences.
#24
I was hoping someone would address this. My 2010 sport is a hand full at 60+ mph. My hands get tired from gripping the wheel, trying to keep it in my lane. Took it to the dealer and as is normal, they said they never heard of it and drove it and said they didn't see a problem. I have a 24 year old Honda CRX that's on it's last leg, but it tracks better than this. Never in my 30 years of driving, have I experienced this on any car. I sure hope more people come forward with this complaint and Honda comes up with a cure.
#25
I was hoping someone would address this. My 2010 sport is a hand full at 60+ mph. My hands get tired from gripping the wheel, trying to keep it in my lane. Took it to the dealer and as is normal, they said they never heard of it and drove it and said they didn't see a problem. I have a 24 year old Honda CRX that's on it's last leg, but it tracks better than this. Never in my 30 years of driving, have I experienced this on any car. I sure hope more people come forward with this complaint and Honda comes up with a cure.
#26
I was hoping someone would address this. My 2010 sport is a hand full at 60+ mph. My hands get tired from gripping the wheel, trying to keep it in my lane. Took it to the dealer and as is normal, they said they never heard of it and drove it and said they didn't see a problem. I have a 24 year old Honda CRX that's on it's last leg, but it tracks better than this. Never in my 30 years of driving, have I experienced this on any car. I sure hope more people come forward with this complaint and Honda comes up with a cure.
Last edited by SilverBullet; 08-21-2010 at 09:34 PM.
#27
Technique and getting used to the wheelbase. I went crazy when I first drove my daughters Yaris. I was literally all over the road. My FIT drove me nuts at first, but I soon adapted to it. My other car was a Cadillac Deville....night and day to the Fit.
The Fit takes some getting used to, both in handling and shifting - both MT and AT from what I see in the forum. Silver makes a good point in relaxing the grip. No need to hang on, it really isn't going to go too far.
Ya'll will get Fitasized and get it.
The Fit takes some getting used to, both in handling and shifting - both MT and AT from what I see in the forum. Silver makes a good point in relaxing the grip. No need to hang on, it really isn't going to go too far.
Ya'll will get Fitasized and get it.
#28
I was hoping someone would address this. My 2010 sport is a hand full at 60+ mph. My hands get tired from gripping the wheel, trying to keep it in my lane. Took it to the dealer and as is normal, they said they never heard of it and drove it and said they didn't see a problem. I have a 24 year old Honda CRX that's on it's last leg, but it tracks better than this. Never in my 30 years of driving, have I experienced this on any car. I sure hope more people come forward with this complaint and Honda comes up with a cure.
if you get tired, grip the wheel with more of the pinky and finger
#29
Welcome belfastcowboy. Interested to know what you've driven. And what you're driving.
K_C_
#30
That may be part of your problem; the car will probably track better if you loosen your grip on the steering wheel.
#31
To those that think it wanders, try putting the wheel farther forward (or your seat farther back) and holding it from the 8 and 4 o'clock positions with your arms slightly bent and relaxed. It just seems more natural in this car, at least for highway cruising. (When I'm in the twisties I go back to 10 and 2, but I'm paying strict attention.)
I had to change my driving stance from what I was used to in other cars. 36 years of sloppy driving took a bit to overcome. Without variable ratio and with a short wheelbase the Fit is unforgiving of sloppiness but it rewards with more precise handling and response.
I don't think there's a design issue with the car, it's just designed differently than your used to.
I had to change my driving stance from what I was used to in other cars. 36 years of sloppy driving took a bit to overcome. Without variable ratio and with a short wheelbase the Fit is unforgiving of sloppiness but it rewards with more precise handling and response.
I don't think there's a design issue with the car, it's just designed differently than your used to.
#32
I love all the engineering theories here.
After 30,000 highway miles in all kinds of weather, I find that the car gets blown around easily, is sensitive to the slightest steering inputs, and goes where the ruts are in the roads (around here, heavy trucks and farm implements as well as Amish buggies rut the roads. And then there is I-80).
I have no engineering theories to explain my observations. I just write it off to "cheap little car" and head on down the road.
Cheers.
After 30,000 highway miles in all kinds of weather, I find that the car gets blown around easily, is sensitive to the slightest steering inputs, and goes where the ruts are in the roads (around here, heavy trucks and farm implements as well as Amish buggies rut the roads. And then there is I-80).
I have no engineering theories to explain my observations. I just write it off to "cheap little car" and head on down the road.
Cheers.
#33
Thanks for all the feedback everyone. When I suggested that my hands got tired from gripping the wheel, I was comparing it to driving my other vehicals. (86 CRX and 99 Chevy P/U). With these, I have driven all over the country, from Michigan to Utah, Texas, Florida etc., and I'm used to being able to drive with just one finger resting on the wheel (with no adverse conditions). With the Fit I have not driven more than an hour and a half at a time and then in mixed city/highway driving, but I have studied the wandering, or as I call it "darting" problem carefully. In my case, I've noticed it when the road is clean and flat with no wind or other vehicals around. What makes the problem worse is the "heavy" or "stiff" steering wheel at highway speeds. When the car starts to go for the line, I cannot just correct it with one finger or even a light touch on the wheel (as I"m more used to). I'm going to be patient and hope that it breaks in (only 1200 miles so far), and the problem goes away. If not, My experience suggests having the front end re-aligned with the tow-in increasedby a degree or two.
#37
It probably has a lot to do with how people perceive the steering inputs, as a lot of the recent posts in here have been about that, but the type and power of the steering rack would really have little to do with the car being blown around at higher speeds.
But a hydraulic powered rack, and a electronically powered rack with the same ratios would perform the same. You can disable the power to a powered rack, and you'll notice the 'feeling' is different, but its just deadened up the feel, and requires the driver to exert more effort to turn the wheel. But the car will still drive down the road the same way. Ie: its not going to start wandering at higher speeds because there's no power to the rack, its just going to take more effort from the driver to turn the wheel.
#40
The only significant differences b/w major brand tires are tread compound and performance ratings. Other than alignment issues, somebody please explain to me why swapping tires will keep your car from wandering on the road?
I assume by "wandering" we are NOT talking about sudden loss of traction...because if you guys are breaking traction driving in a straight line down the highway at 60 mph then something is bad wrong with your car.
I assume by "wandering" we are NOT talking about sudden loss of traction...because if you guys are breaking traction driving in a straight line down the highway at 60 mph then something is bad wrong with your car.