New 2008 Prius - Perfect, Except Steering Wheel Not Centered!

I had that problem after the steering wheel recall but mine was WAY off center. I had mine done the following week since I could not get a day off to have it done. If I was you I would have it done as soon as possible. I would not wait because it would bug the heck out of me.

Welcome to PriusChat!

 

I'd have it fixed so it doesn't bother you. It's not a safety issue, but it's your new car; you have a right to expect it to be perfect.

Tom

 

I have the same problem on my 2008. In every other regard, the car is flawless - in my case the steering wheel is off-center to the left perhaps 3 or 4 degrees. I will get it fixed at the first (5,000 mile) service.

 

I had the same problem with mine, I took it in within a week of picking it up, and now it's fine. I have heard from a few other 2008 owners and they have said the same thing.

Sounds like it's time for a TSB.

Happy Holidays to All.

 

Where did you get this info from?

 

Actually the warranty in NOT 12 month 12000 miles.

It is 12 months/20000 miles!

That is the standard factory allowed warranty for "adjustments". That includes such things that are normal wear and tear items that are expected to wear out, but should be perfect when ou first get the car.
Two that come to mind right off are alignment issues and tire balance issues.

If your steering wheel is not centered, you are entitled to have it corrected!
Now comes the bad news..... Adjustment items are only good once.
If your alignment is adjusted and you agree, yes, it is right, and then you whack a pothole and knock the alignment out again, you get to pay for the next one. Same goes for tire balance.

BTW Please bear in mind that the only thing that can be adjusted on a Prius is font wheel toe. Caster can not be adjusted and camber can only be moved slightly by loosening the lower strut bolts and pushing or pulling the strut in the desired direction while tightening the bolts. The rear axle is a solid beam and has no adjustment.

 

The alignment warranty first appears in the TSB on the subject. Go to the Pull to the Left thread (among other places) to print out the alignment TSB if you need it:

http://priuschat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30286

Then, I believe that 2008 is the first time you see the alignment warranty in the Owner's Manual/Warranty that comes with the car. [EDIT: Just checked my 2007 Warranty booklet, and the alignment warranty (12 months/20,000 miles) is there too.]

 

An excellant point! And if you present it to the dealer just that way you will be correct. You are NOT asking for an alignment. You are asking them to straighten the wheel. Adjusting the slignment is simply the procedure necessary to achieve that end result. If, at a later date, you Prius should begin to pull to one side or the other, an alignment may be needed in order to correct that issue. However, it is NOT the same issue! Therefore you are not responsible for the second alignment.

The same can be said for check engine lights. Most of our customers do not understand that a check engine light today which indicates a bad oxygen sensor is NOT the same thing as the check engine light last month which indicated a bad Mass Air Flow sensor. They see it as the same problem twice in a month while the tech sees two separate issues.

 

Just limber up your wrist and reach down just behind the left headlight. Where the fuse box seems to narrow, feel for the tab at the center of that point and press in towards the back of the car and lift. It will pop right up! Just watch out for sharp edges!! No blood on the new Prius!!

 

Take it back to the dealer and have them align your car and don't forget to mention to them to center your steering wheel.

I don't think you have an alignment problem, but I am sure in order to straighten your steering wheel they will have to put it on the rack so no settings are changed.

Good Luck.

 

It is in our warranty book for the '08 model.

 

Huh... Rudy's steering wheel has been a couple of degrees to port since I got him... I never thought much of it, but I'd better have that corrected before I get to 20K miles!

Thanks, Bear!

 

The arrow on the fuse box cover points to the slot that the hood support rod fits into. It is not intended to help you get the cover off.

 

The manuals actually do mention using offset-shank bolts on the
front knuckles to make minor camber changes.
.
And there are people who have managed to compensate for slightly
bent rear axle beams with shims behind the rear bearing plates.
.
_H*

 

Interesting. My nearly brand new 2008 also has the steering wheel a tiny degree to the right. It's not off alignment at all. Just a slighly off wheel maybe?

All this time I've assumed it had to do with most roads sloping to the right for rain runoff. Anyway, I am a firm believer in "If it aint broke, dont fix it". Some technician *might* just make it worse... It works good now, its just an aesthetic thing the way I see it.