For some time now, my o6 has been giving me steering problems and I don't know what the cause may be or how to fix it so maybe somebody can help me out. For example, if I am parallel parking, which obviously involves a lot of turning the wheel to the extreme left or extreme right, it requires a whole lot of effort to turn the steering wheel and the car shouldn't be like this at all. Or for another example, if I'm driving on the highway or something, at pretty much any speed and the road surface changes or I go over a small bump in the road, the car jerks and I really have to hold the wheel really tightly to keep myself in place and it's pretty scary at times because I never know where the car is planning to take me. Could it be because of my power steering fluid? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

check the levels of the power steering fluid, make sure that it is not leaking. I would take the car to the dealership because it may be a defective pump.

 

How might I go about checking the levels of the fluid? You may be right about the leak because sometimes if I leave my car on in a spot, there does seem to be some puddles of something coming from under my car...it should be covered under warranty, right?

 

See the Owner's Manual in your glove box or check it here (from the 3G Garage): https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/...01_OMANUAL.asp

There is a container under the hood for steering fluid level; check all the fluids while you're in there.

The only puddle which should be left by the car is water condensation from the A/C system dripping through a tube on the passenger side of the engine compartment when the climate control has been working. If the puddle is slippery liquid or has a slick feel to it, it's something other than water.

 

^^ Just a little to rub between your thumb and fingers and you'll know if it's slick/oily or not.

Also a white towel or paper towel to dab a little off the ground will give you an idea of the color of the fluid.

 

I think what you may be experiencing when driving at higher speeds and hitting bumps and road surface changes is bump steer, which can be normal to a certain extent, you may want to have a shop check the play in your tie rods. An alignment may also make this a little better. I would definitely have them check for and power steering leaks also!

 

tie rods? I've never heard of those. Can you give me some info so the shop doesn't try to rip me off? I just got my alignment done last month so that can't be the issue...at least, I hope not...

 

Wait- your warranty should cover the tie rod ends if there is a problem.

One other idea-- how is your tire pressure? It should be 32 psi to 36 psi when the car is cold (and start with psi on the driver's side door sticker). If the pressure drops, it results in symptoms that you described in your first post.
G/L, and let us know what the problem turns out to be!

 

Tire pressure is normally fine, I think...I don't know if you have the stock tires but I have the A-Spec wheels with Yokohoma tires and my tire pressure is usually between 27 and 30psi but occassionally jumps up to 33psi. Could this be because of my tires? I hate this.

 

Ah ha! I think the tire pressure is your steering/feel problem.

Pump up your A-specs to 39 psi in front and 36 psi for the rears when they are COLD (after sitting overnight)-- that's the 18" A-spec's recommended cold tire psi. Ignore TPMS readings that are higher if you've driven more than 3 miles- tires heat up when they are driven and should never be adjusted while hot.
27-30 is way too low; hopefully the tire shoulders haven't started wearing out on you.

I bet your car's steering and suspension will feel great and your steering problems will be resolved after psi is adjusted to recommended pressures.

 

Are you serious? That high? Isn't that a little too much? I really need to buy new tires and think that these tires are problematic for me because two of them already have bubbles in them! So I'm looking to get a new set of rims and tires by the end of August. On the other hand, 39psi isn't dangerously high?

 

Also, when I bought the car last year, the salesman told me to make sure the tire pressure is consistent between 29 and like 34psi. So what you're telling me is really new to my ears and I want to try it out but I don't want something crazy to happen to my tires!

 

tire salesman versus the acurazine pros hmmm who to believe whoooo to believe

 

Yes, seriously. The stock A-spec wheels have/had a sticker on them indicating 39F/36R. Even the "high speed driving" psi recommendation for the stock 17" wheels is 39F/35R in the owner's manual.
Your door sticker will probably say 33F/32R (5AT) or 36F/33R(6M), which is for the 17" wheels.
"Dangerously high" is 45+, when squirrelly handling and excessive center tread wear can occur. The tire won't blow out due to that psi below max on the tire, though.

Oh, and yes, you MUST get new tires due to the bubbles. The bubbles probably formed because the pressure was too low, causing excessive heat and the internal separations! Without seeing your tires, my recommendation is that you get new tires now!! And bring up the air pressure NOW.

Also, check the tire psi yourself after service department or tire shop finishes-- a lot of the techs go by "30-32 or 35 all around," which is just as wrong as that salesperson of yours.

 

Will Y. - you are a great help. I did what you said after work today and feel as if my car has never driven this well since I got it. But I feel as if this is not the only thing messing with the steering but it is a lot better now! Thanks so much!

So now my air pressure is up but I still need to get new tires. I'm looking to get All-Season Ultra High Performance Tires. Any recommendations if you know of any?

Thanks so much!

 

Glad your car feels better! It probably still feels a little "off" because the low tire pressure caused tire damage (incl. the bubbles) and probably wear on the edges of the tires. The car will feel even better with new tires.

People in the Tires, Wheels... forum here like the Bridgestone Pole Position AS960, Michelin Pilot A/S, Toyo R-1s, Pirelli P-Zero Neros, Goodyear F-1s, etc. None are inexpensive like Falkens or Kumhos, which some members like and some don't.

Take a look at www.tirerack.com to review its comparisons and comments about the various tires for the TL once you select the TL in the pull-down menus.

If you're a Costco member, www.costco.com also has several all season UHP tires which fit the TL. Costco's prices include mounting, balancing, stems, hazardous waste fee, and all that other stuff a lot of places nickel and dime you for after giving you the tire price (up to $30 per tire!). Sam's Club may have something similar, but I'm not a member.

And remember: some local tire shops or Discount Tires are willing to come close to or match Tire Rack prices.