Hard to handle in the wind

[chivalryder]

However, with the tc/st enabled its hard to
Hold the between the lines with a white
Knuckled death grip.

I seriously have NEVER experienced this, except for when driving through 6" deep, light fluffy snow. This car is the easiest thing to drive in all conditions, even with al the "driving aids" on.

That is, except for when trying to make a sudden movement as previously described.

 

[Insanika]

I seriously have NEVER experienced this, except for when driving through 6" deep, light fluffy snow. This car is the easiest thing to drive in all conditions, even with al the "driving aids" on.

That is, except for when trying to make a sudden movement as previously described.

LUCKY! Mine's a nightmare in the rain. Wonder what the difference is?

 

[mitdr774]

If it were not forthe annoying sounds it makes, I would have the ABS fuse removed still. The car is far easier to drive without the nannies stepping in when NOT needed.

 

[Scot]

When testing cars on chassis rolls, TC goes nuts when only the driven wheels turn during development. I usually disconnect one wheel sensor to disable abs - I wonder if that would kill the SC?
I have to turn the damn thing off every time I go for a drive, else it will trigger a response nearly every time I get on the accelerator.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Italianjoe1]

I wonder if a steering angle sensor calibration would help? It's possible the cars aren't being aligned with the wheel straight ahead and the stability control is seeing a slight driver input and trying to help/correct, but the driver isn't actually trying to steer the car.

I've seen a similar issue when a... "inadequately skilled" tech at the shop aligned a GTI to the point that the car was trying to pull you off the road due to stability/traction control intervention. Obviously this was an extreme case but the theory remains the same.

 

[firstorbit84]

How about air tabs (vortex generators)?

 

[houser]

I think im going to look into the sensor #48 TSB thing some more. Those are all good ideas but I did have alignment and steering motor checked the first time I brought it in
for this trouble. Im wondering if there actually is a sensor #48 and if it might be the role over sensor used by the onstar and the yaw sensor used by the ST. Im going to pull the OnStar fuse and see what happens. Its a shot in the dark but what the hey right.

 

[houser]

Found this
Service Bullitin-#327878
TSB-PIC 5625
NHTSA- ID#10043483
At HWY speeds steering may become over sensitive and cause vehicle to wander.

This was the one that called for recalibration of sensor#48 and the replacement of the onstar memory battery.

 

[sx sonic]

Great find Houser.

 

[Swordsmith]

My Sonic behaved fairly well when purchased, but much better after replacing the stock wheels and tires, so I have always attributed people's complaints about dodgy steering to the Hankooks.

However, this thread makes me think that there's something weird about a sensor, and that maybe it's not my tires, but rather that when they replaced the tires they also managed to accidentally bump the sensor in a way that made it work right.

If this is the case I owe a serious apology to Hankook... and have a bone to pick with GM!

That said, I normally drive around with both on, unless I see a spot where I'm going to do a hard start. Even then, I kill TC and leave SC on, I rarely get "wavy gravy" from SC, and even when I do, it doesn't seem to make any difference to how the car drives. I'd still turn it off, but I'm lazy, push and hold for several seconds is annoying, while just a tap, that's under my threshold.

 

[Opticon]

If this is the case I owe a serious apology to Hankook...

WOAH hey now. I wouldn't go that far.

 

[firstorbit84]

I don't think this has much to do with the TC/SC. I think it's a combination of narrow tall-profile stock wheels/tires and an overly sensitive electronic power steering.

When I swapped to 17x7 wheels with a 215 tire it made a big difference in the highway wander: 90% gone. Maybe the tsb would completely eliminate it.

 

[james e]

Maybe we should try slowing down in bad weather.Maybe it is as simple as that.Worth a try?

 

[firstorbit84]

Maybe we should try slowing down in bad weather.Maybe it is as simple as that.Worth a try?

Who the heck are you?

 

[laborsmith]

The Hankooks used on the Sonic are definitely a contributor.

I got my LT the day before Thanksgiving Day, drove to Clarkston and back for turkey day on I75 most of the way, went to Discount Tires and changed wheels and tires, then to Grand Rapids for the weekend, and though steering remained darty, the improvement was noticeable.


Laborsmith

 

[chivalryder]

I still have the stock 17"x7" wheels w/ factory stock tires. Driving @ 110kmph-120kmph in a torrential downpour, the car was still fairly easy to drive (TC off, SC on). I even experienced some hydroplaning without the car intervening to the point where I felt like it had a mind of its own.

I'll blame the hydroplaning on the stock tires.

I strongly believe most of the driving problems you are all experiencing is caused by the omission of the front under body panel. My car is extremely well mannered in all high speed conditions, yet, as I mentioned, a newer Cruze was as unbearable to drive as you've all been describing. It did not have the under body panel.

 

[laborsmith]

My memory is that the underbody panel is about $100 at the dealership. Installation is easy as the screw/bolt holes (?) are already there so no modding is needed, just attach.

I recall seeing the part number posted but no idea where or when. Longer than six months ago, though.


Laborsmith

 

[houser]

Don't bother with the under body panels
My car came with them. I started this
Thread

 

[Sailurman]

Driving @ 110kmph-120kmph in a torrential downpour, the car was still fairly easy to drive (TC off, SC on).

What is sad is that other people die because of dull tools like this one.

 

[SouthFLSonic]

What is sad is that other people die because of dull tools like this one.

@ 70 - 80 MPH??