Steering wheel off center

[ivorz]

Hi there,
I have had my prius for about a year now and have 20K miles on it. Ever since I got the car the steering wheel has been off center about 5 degrees to the left.

I have had the alignment checked 2 twice and have also rotated the tires every 5k miles. They are the oem tires. The tires are still in good condition and seem to have worn evenly.

Toyota tell me this is "normal" and and given that the alignment is correct, I don't know what else to try.

Will a new set of tires help this. Perhaps I should have another shop check the alignment (at $80 a pop)

thanks in advance for the help.

[patsparks]

Tell your dealer to fix it, if they use the right equipment they should be able to get it right. Did you ring Toyota? If not then I suggest you do, or try another dealer.

[jayman]

You will also have to properly set Zero Point Calibration if you have the wheel centered. This requires the dealership scantool

[dogfriend]

Its not normal for the steering wheel to be off center. In fact, the dealer is supposed to check for this and correct it during PDS (pre delivery service)

[alanh]

TSB ST003-01 is supposed to address this, but I can't find it online anywyere.

[yardman 49]

Originally Posted by jayman

You will also have to properly set Zero Point Calibration if you have the wheel centered. This requires the dealership scantool

I am wondering about tire chain stores like Firestone/Bridgestone, Goodyear, etc. These places do allignments all the time, and offer "lifetime" alignment packages. Does anyone know if any of these shops can do the Zero Point Calibration?

On the original topic: after driving my 2009 for a couple of weeks, I noticed that my steering wheel was off center. Don't really know why it wasn't obvious to me when I first bought the car. Anyway, I told the dealer that the car was not "pulling", but that the steering wheel was off center. They fixed it right the first time.

[ivorz]

I am probably going to have new tires put on. I think this is the root of all evil with the steering being off center.
The question I now have is can I get this done at a tire shop or should I only do it at toyota. It seems from what I have read that there is more to aligment on this car than most others in terms of the technology.

[ETP]

Originally Posted by ivorz

Hi there,
I have had my prius for about a year now and have 20K miles on it. Ever since I got the car the steering wheel has been off center about 5 degrees to the left.

I have had the alignment checked 2 twice and have also rotated the tires every 5k miles. They are the oem tires. The tires are still in good condition and seem to have worn evenly.

Toyota tell me this is "normal" and and given that the alignment is correct, I don't know what else to try.

Will a new set of tires help this. Perhaps I should have another shop check the alignment (at $80 a pop)

thanks in advance for the help.

OK// my steering column is pointed 5 degrees to the left/the wheel is level with the ground. I think the prius is designed this way. I will check two other units on the lot this weekend. Also, does it feel like the car if leaning to the left with just the driver? I weigh 174 pounds.

[ivorz]

Originally Posted by ETP

OK// my steering column is pointed 5 degrees to the left/the wheel is level with the ground. I think the prius is designed this way. I will check two other units on the lot this weekend. Also, does it feel like the car if leaning to the left with just the driver? I weigh 174 pounds.

No, the car does not feel like it is leaning to the left. I appreciate your help and would love to hear if you find the same with other cars.

I see you are in FL, so am I. I would love to find someone who knows what they are really doing and can diagnose the problem.
The dealer just seems to want to hurry things along without "servicing" the customer.

[ivorz]

I have another quick question.
Is it recommended to have new tires and alignment put on by the dealer of can I use a place like Sears or other discount tire shop.

Is there anything special about replacing the tires/alignment that a discount auto shop would not know.

I would like the alignment redone as I do not think my dealer has done it correctly, on the 2 occasions I have had them check it.