Steering is too loose at high speeds

The steering on my Prius III feels really loose, especially at high speeds(≻50mph) When I have both hands on the steering wheel it feels okay but when I only have one hand on the steering wheel, it feels really loose and the car starts to swerve, as if DUI. I don't think it's caused by the road or the tires. Do all Priuses drive the same way? Is there a way to tighten the steering?

I haven't experienced that issue at all. Sounds like you may be tramlining.

[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tramlining]Tramlining - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

First check tire pressure, then alignment. While I haven't had mine at real high speeds, what you describe isn't normal, I'm sure

I have to admit I feel a bit of "play" in my wheel. The higher the speeds the greater the play. I don't feel it hazardous, just different from say my Kia Van which feels nice and tight. I would image that something like this would be adjustable but who knows with these new fangled gadgets these days.

I don't feel real confident in using one hand like I have driven for years. I will just have to get use to it like all my other vehicles.

Peter

Keep in mind that since the Prius does not have variable steering there is no change on the amount of play in the steering at high speed. Speed exaggerates our perception of the cars reaction to minute changes in steering. For instance if you move the wheel slightly at 20mph an amount that causes a drift to the left of one foot a second, doing the same thing at 60mph will send you toward the other lane at 3 feet per second. Most describe this as the steering becoming loose but it it is result of increased speed.

I notice lots of pulling and swerving when driving on the lined cement roads (with the grooves for rain in them)...are you driving on that type of road? It basically feels like the wheels are going along with the grooves, instead of where you actually want to go.

Everytime I shift weight to get comfortable or look down for a split second, the slightest unintentional turn of the steering wheel, maybe a few degrees, sends my Prius off course when driving on a freeway at higher speeds. I guess what I'm trying to say is that a speed sensitive, variable power steering would have been a nice feature.

I've never felt any play in any Prius steering wheel. Quite the opposite: the Prius uses electric power steering with nearly zero deadband. This tends to cause many drivers to wander, as every tiny input is directed to the wheels. I suspect this is the OP's problem.

Tom

Same here. I did notice that it's not variable speed steering, but I feel no play, and have no issues driving one-handed.

I over-controlled like crazy when I first started driving my Prius. I had to learn a feather touch on the wheel. Now it's fine. Of course I also switched to real tires, which was important with the crappy Gen II OEM tires.

Tom

We commute to DFW airport about 25 miles each way ... part of the way on Dallas freeways. No steering problems.

We just made a 1500 mile trip from Dallas, TX through El Paso, up through New Mexico and up to Salt Lake City. On west Texas interstate 10, the speed limit is 80 and we cruised faster than that for maybe 200 miles. No steering problems.

We took a drive today through one of Utahs scenic canyon drives above Provo ... with a stretch of 25 miles of 20mph switchbacks and steep grades up and down, no steering problems.

What your problem could be is that you are not yet used to the fast steering ... this car is only about 2 turns lock to lock.

BTW ... our 2010 V with Navigation is REALLY NICE on a road trip.

Did you change tires?.....
I used to run up to 60lbs in my stock tires on my GenII.. I then upgraded to Toyo's and I couldn't go above 50psi without feeling like I was riding on bicycle tires... they must have been puffing out in the center... anyway... I run those at 42psi and they are fine.

I think I know what you mean. I am in the San Gabriel Valley area (so. cal), and when I first started driving on the 10 west bound freeway, the car feels out of control (speed ~65mph). I took it back to the dealership and they told me that nothing was wrong with my car. They even took it for a test drive. After driving my car for two months, I realize that I only get this "loose" feeling when I am driving on roads with bad and bumpy surface. Now I just try to avoid these roads, so I don't get the omg-I-will-crash-if-I-don't-hold-the-wheel-with-two-hands feeling. Hope this helps =)

I thought the steering was pretty good!

By patsparks, shot with Canon EOS-1D Mark III at 2009-08-24

Hey Pat.. your steering wheel is on the wrong side!

Is that because your really upside down?