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steering wheel position is off

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by aanimate, Apr 7, 2005.

  1. aanimate

    aanimate New Member

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    HI!

    I just noticed that my new 05 Prius doesn't have steering wheel perfectly straight. It is a little bit to the right( about 10 degrees). The car does drive straight if I let go. SO I think it is aligned but, do you think that it is a problem that the steering wheel is not completely facing north?
    Thank you!
     
    #1 aanimate, Apr 7, 2005
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Take it in for an alignment. You're entitled to a free one in your first 12k/12mo. Very often we're seeing steering wheel malalignment due to the Toe being out.

    If you do a search for Steering wheel alignment you'll get a number of hits on this subject. It's not urgent, you might wanna wait for your first oil change unless it's convenient to go sooner, but it is important to have it done and it will help your gas mileage a little.
     
    #2 efusco, Apr 7, 2005
  3. aanimate

    aanimate New Member

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    Thank you very much for the info!
    You mentioned that I am intitled to a free one. Where I can find this so I can show it to the dealer. Sometimes dealers don't know some warranty info, and I just want to show them in case they are being difficult.
    Thank you!
     
    #3 aanimate, Apr 7, 2005
  4. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aanimate\";p=\"79400)</div>
    Yea, good question...no one can seem to find that in writing anywhere. Our own Prius Techs that participate on this board have confirmed the truth of it. It falls under the "adjustment period" warranty priveledges, but I can't point you to the exact place.

    Your best bet is to all your service dept. and discuss it with them and confirm over the phone that they're aware of it (they very well should be!) If any problems contact the general Toyota cust. service # and they should be able to help you out.

    I don't think you'll have a problem...they even did mine outside of that adjustment period.
     
    #4 efusco, Apr 7, 2005
  5. beaujb

    beaujb New Member

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    My 2005 had exactly the same problem, steering wheel slightly to the right when driving straight.

    I asked for it to be adjusted at the 5K oil change and it seem nearly perfect straight now. Regarding warranty coverage, the dealer had posted the official Totota warranty coverage posters in the waiting room and they clearly state that you get one alignment type of adjustment. The hybrids have their own poster since they have a much broader and longer warranty period.

    So take advantage of this provision while paying the typically higher dealer prices for the oil change and rotation.
     
    #5 beaujb, Apr 7, 2005
  6. aanimate

    aanimate New Member

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    I just dropped my car off at capitol toyota, san jose(where I bought it) and didn't have any problems. The friendly service guy told me that first alignment for 1200 miles is free.
    I also got a coupons for an oil change in the mail it is only 11.99 and rotation is 12.99. I think they always mail you coupons for a year so get you business . It happened with my 4 runner. I bought it in 1999 in melody toyota, san bruno CA and they mailed me coupons for a oil change for 9.99 for a year :)
     
    #6 aanimate, Apr 7, 2005
  7. jeromep

    jeromep Member

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    Yes, I had the same issue and my wheel was pointing about 10 degrees right but tracking straight. My dealer had me go to a tire shop they contract with for this kind of work and they got my wheel back straight. The tire shop told me that it was an adjustment in the tie rods to get the steering wheel straight. But the car was in alignment when it came in and is so going out, but with a straight wheel.

    The dealer covered it under the adjustment period. They never quibbled about it, even told me about the adjustment period and offered before I even asked that something be done, I just mentioned that I felt it was wrong and they were jumping into action.

    BTW, Evan's advice was very good to me.
     
    #7 jeromep, Apr 7, 2005
  8. DanMan32

    DanMan32 Senior Member

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    Now have the dealer adjust your zero point position, and if you have VSC, your steering position sensor aligned.
     
    #8 DanMan32, Apr 8, 2005
  9. aanimate

    aanimate New Member

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    I got back my car. On the receipt it says" Alignment out. Aligned to factory settings, steering wheel resetted."
    But when I drive my sterring wheel still off to the right. Is it possible something else wrong. I am going to the dealer again. If they use computers to align it how come they didn't fix the steerign wheel.

    What is VCS?

    Thanks!
     
    #9 aanimate, Apr 8, 2005
  10. DanMan32

    DanMan32 Senior Member

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    VSC (as opposed to VCS) is Vehicle Stability Control. In short, prevents fishtailing.
     
    #10 DanMan32, Apr 8, 2005
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