Steering wheel/alignment questions

[jeromep]

I'll try to make this short. I'm posing this separate from other alignment threads because this isn't really an alignment issue, I think?

Anyway, my steering wheel was pointing right about 3-5 degrees upon deliver. The car tracks straight running down the road and I have no issues with squirlyness at highway speeds, but when driving straight the steering wheel is off at a slight angle.

I didn't detect this issue until I had brought the car home, and the dealer is over 100 miles away. I have a local dealer, but would rather this issue be dealt with by the selling dealer as I believe they are more likely to see this as a warranty issue. I've had the car for 3 months and have less than 2000 miles on it. I have babied it over rough roads and avoided potholes and railroad tracks.

Has anyone else received a car with a steering wheel that is not on center when driving straight down the road? Is this really a silent alignment issue that is manifesting itself in the steering wheel? Since I will take it in in the next couple of weeks to be examined by the selling dealer, meaning an out of town trip, can you point me toward the alignment specs and give me advice on what to demand regarding alignment?

[efusco]

This may be an alignment issue...usually a problem with the toe. I had a similar problem for over a year and finally had it checked and that was the problem.

It doesn't matter if your local dealer thinks it's a warranty issue or not. During your 1st year adjustment period you are entitled to 1 free alignment check and any dealer in the country is both obligated and willing to perform it (they get paid by Toyota).

Have it checked, at your convenience...almost every car off the boat/truck has alignment issues and they are not checked after arrival in the US.

[jeromep]

Evan, I've come to respect your knowledge and comments, but I like to have my ducks in a row when I talk with service writers; is there a program name or bulliten number that refers to this? The last thing I want to get is the "we don't do that response" or the "never heard of that" response.

As you can see, I don't really like having my car in the shop. At least I know they didn't send the car out for a test drive, mine had 2 miles on it when I picked it up.

[efusco]

No I don't. There should be something in your warranty paperwork though.

I really don't think you'll have a problem getting this done under warranty.

[rick57]

I would also make sure that after they do the alignment,they need to do what is called " Torque Sensor Zero Point Adjustment". If they look in the repair manual under Front Wheel Alignment,it will direct them to the steps to do. But their alignment tech or Prius tech should know about it. A couple other Toyota's I believe also get this when aligned,so it should not be a suprise to the tech(maybe the service writer/service manager would look at you funny tho,haha).

[jeromep]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco\";p=\"73124)</div>

No I don't.  There should be something in your warranty paperwork though.[/b]

The warranty booklet in my glovebox, right? I'll actually have to go through it tonight.

[prius mdt]

Your adjustment warranty period is 12 month / 12,000 miles. This does include ONE alignment. HOWEVER, on PDI, the dealer was responsible to check to see if the wheel was off center. If it was, Toyota would pay them to straighten and perform zero point calibration of the steering angle sensor before delivery. After delivery, any off center issue could be viewed by a dealer as customer pay because you "hit a pot hole or something".

My recommendation would be return to the selling dealer and hold them accountable for the off center condition. They may claim more than just an "off center" condition which would require and alignment and then could be covered under the warranty adjustment period. This really should not be an issue that ANY Toyota dealership would worry you about and risk an unsatisfied customer. As far as the steering angle sensor callibration, this is common on Toyotas now (any w/ VSC) and should not be a concern either.

[jeromep]

Don,

Mine is a package 5 and doesn't have VSC, does that make a difference? I've done my best to avoid potholes and rough railroad crossings. And, even though it is possible, I doubt that I have done anything to mess up my alignment. It does track straight down the road, however I have no idea if that means I'm in alignment, or if there is something else making the car track straight while the wheel points 3 to 5 degrees right.

[rick57]

It shouldn't make any difference if it has VSC or not on a Prius. It could be in line and just the steering wheel is off.

[andyprius]

WOW, I'm amazed to find out that I'm entitled to a free alignment check. Since I studied the owners manual and warranty paperwork in detail and found nothing about that. What else are we entitled to that Toyota hasn't told us? Don't misunderstand I'm overjoyed with the car and have NO complaints.Unlike the earlier models, the 2005 offers no free services or repairs, except in warranty situations.