I have a new 09 Fit base, with 5 speed, had it about 3 weeks and love driving this car. One thing I have found is that it feels a big squirly at highway speeds, seems to need a lot of attention to keep it going in a straight line. Anyone else finding this? Is it the stock tires? A quirk of the steering system? Interested is hearing from others about this.

 

Yes, I've noticed this as well. I think someone mentioned the short wheelbase may contribute to it. It's annoying.

 

I haven't noticed this at all, seems to track pretty straight regardless. It is affected by wind so if there's some of that blowing then it will push the light car off track a bit.

Hey, is that a BSA Gold Star in your avatar pic?

 

It is the short wheelbase and the quick steering. Plus tall and light makes the wind a factor. Still I love it as steering is precise and has good feel!
That is my gripe with most Toyota and small American cars where the steering feels numb and disconnected.

 

This sounds like something that the tires might cause.

There are 15" and 16" and Dunlop and Bridgestone tires. Perhaps we could specify which tires we have.

 

Yeah I think the steering ratio has something to do with it, I wish they would have made it variable with speed.... but what do you want with a $15k car haha. It especially gets touchy over 100mph.

Wind is another factor that's pretty huge, I think it's because the car looks like a barn from the side and is so light.

 

I wonder if different tires would help this. I have the 15" stock tires, any thoughts on a tire that might help this characteristic of the car?

 

you could always lower the car to get a lower center of gravity.

 

It's not the quick ratio steering that has anything to do with highway tracking, it's the combination of tall height, slab-sided chunky styling, and narrow tires.

 

It's the tires. Higher the sidewall, the more sloppy it's gonna be. For handling, 15's I would go 205/50/15 and 16's 205/45/16. You will notice a difference. And I agree with lowering. Plus it looks much better too!

 

But I don't think the OP was referring to handling as much as tracking and stability. The car gets pushed around by high winds, natural or unnatural. It's mostly the chunky aerodynamics responsible for the instability.

 

didn't you take it out for a test drive before signing on the dotted line

 

I think it's the steering ratio and lightness combined with the short wheelbase. Even small, accidental steering inputs will change the direction of the car which then require correction. And then if the correction isn't appropriately minute/precise, it causes the car to dart again. If the steering were slower and/or heavier at speed the car wouldn't feel as hyper and darty at speed.

 

Higher sidewall tires can make it feel more squirmy at highway speeds and from wind. The more rubber, the more slop. My comment was for handling in general, not only performance.

 

Its mostly tires if you have Dunslops. The sidewalls are not very stiff and only increased tire pressures will reduce the squirmy feeling.
Naturally, the best solution is better tires and wheels.

 

I have noticed this too..... It seems to have a very loose rear end on speeds above 70mph with straight line tracking... now on My GD Fit I never had this problem and the tire width`s were very similar... I think that a lower stance and a little bit of a wider tire might cure this problem... some people with lowered GE`s need to chime in here..

 

Gawd, I wish! It's a '70 Norton Commando, bobber-ized.

 

Check toe setting and even try another degree or 2 of toe in.
I had a TT RX7, that thing was darty. Only thing that cured it was more toe in than the factory spec.
Dont forget that Honda could blow the setting on 1 out of 10,000 that come out of the factory, or it got bumped during trucking to the dealer
I dont think it is the tires even with the base 15's
After 35K miles on my 07, the 09 feels like the suspension is more isolated which means could have more rubber sideways compliance.

Ahhh cant really do variable ratio with EPS
Ive seen Yamaha's engineering drawings on Electric Power Steering for ATV's and soon on snowmobiles. It is really identical to our Fit Power steering (except Yamaha's is smaller obviously)

2007 Grizzly 700 FI - Electric Power Steering (EPS)

 

I also have a SSM Base auto and feel the same problem. Although the electric steering is precise, it does not feel connected to the driver. I'd prefer the old hydraulic over this electric system any day.

 

My car felt a bit like this when it was new on the fast roads, but my lowering springs cured this problem.