ragtophardtop

2014 Acura TL SH-AWD - currently at 30k miles
Something that's bugged me with this car since the day I bought it is that there is no on-center steering feel, and it requires constant inputs to keep it between the lines on the highway. Is there an alignment or something else that can be done to improve this? It's great in the curves, but highway driving is both annoying and exhausting.
I have had a lot of other cars and this is the first one I ever noticed this problem.

csmeance

It's very possible the TOE setting could be off causing some sort issue like what you are experiencing!

What PSI are your tires at? Do you still have the factory tires or have you replaced they yet?

ragtophardtop

Factory michelins, running at the stock tire pressure. I've tried upping incrementally 8 pounds in the summertime, but this never goes away.

Anicra

Odd ball thing too, when I purchased by 2013 TL SHAWD - I had to have her aligned next day. I was thinking this car better not go out of alignment on the smallest bump.
The car just had a basic pull to the left.
Ragtop gotta have something that is not right. I drive mine across the state of MN/WI/SD all the time, rural highways to interstates. Drives straight and true.
Always fun in SD nothin like a 80MpH highways and people driving at 90MPH.

So Michelin Primacy MXM4? Have tried just taking back to the dealer and telling them to fix this!

ragtophardtop

I'm heading on some 80mph speed limit roads myself just west of there, but in the mountains and cuurvy Problem is to get there is HOURS of straight boring driving, compounded by lots of extra steering inputs.
The funny thing is it seems to drive straight, but then I find myself making constant micro adjustments in both directions, just like there's looseness around center. Haven't had luck getting decent alignments at any dealer, so if this is THE issue I'm just going to spring for a performance alignment with a touch of toe in.

Anicra

If you had this issue since day 1 , do your tires have any oddities to the wear pattern? (Cupping and such)

ragtophardtop

No cupping on the tires. It all looks normal. It's just that there's no on-center feel, so to keep it in a straight line you have to make constant micro adjustments with steering inputs to not drift out of lane. I compare this to my other non-electric power steering cars, and those I can easily drive without constant micro adjustments and attention to the lane drift.

Edward'TLS

Something is definitely not right. Even with electric power steering, a vehicle will always drive straight on a perfectly flat and straight road.

thoiboi

Definitely recommend a proper alignment at a proper alignment shop with a Hunter alignment machine

ragtophardtop

I scheduled a performance alignment for this upcoming week in the best shop around. $160 - yikes but hope it's worth it. They indicated there may not be castor adjustments for the car, which can contribute to this lack of on-center feeling. Can anyone verify?

Derekw_FL

For me, it was my toe settings, left wheel out and was fighting the center line on my factory mxm4. After some new tires , an alignment was done to correct the toe issue. However, I have a slight pull to the right now as on camber on the left from is less negative than right. The cross camber is created and the honda shop says it too cannot be adjusted. I can balance it out with a slight pressure adjustment delta between the fronts.

ragtophardtop

This is an ancient thread, but I thought I would come back with an update as I solved the problem. The factory MXM4 fuel economy tires suck. Through overinflating (+36 PSI cold) I was able to reduce the splashy feel. I dumped these tires for Michelin's top of the line grand touring tire and the whole car changed and is now an absolute pleasure to drive with on center feel even at 32 PSI cold, and it sticks amazing. The alignment on the factory tires didn't help.

If you're having the same problem as I did, ditch the factory tires and get something better.