New Civic... alignment problem?

[Sai]

Everytime I let go of the wheel the car starts to drift to the right... getting slightly annoying. Any simple check to do before taking it to the dealer? Hopefully it won't cost much to fix

edit: car info (07 Civic Coupe LX auto)

[Special Ringpop]

Good luck trying to fix it. I'm not trying to scare you, but I remember a while back a TON of people were saying their coupes were pulling heavy to the right.

A lot of people think it was a mis calibration at the plant they are assembled at, because it doesn't exist on most from Ohio.

[kero]

My car, 5 miles off the lot did this. Had the car aligned 3 times in less than 1000 miles, still pulls to the right.

10,000 miles later and one tire rotation due to feathering, still pulls to the right.

I have learned to just ignore since two dealers could not fix the problem.

My car was mfg'd in Canada and is an LX sedan, both sedans and coupes were having this problem 06 models

[alexxtang]

it normal for Civic... i used to have 00 civic, 04 Sir, and currently 06 R18, they r all like this. b/c of FWD

[Special Ringpop]

I don't know much about alignment or FWD vs. RWD, but I don't see the alignment problems on other brand new FWD cars. I don't have it in my Civic Si, and it's a 2006, but I know a lot of others do.

In my opinion, its just shoddy workmanship from Ontario's plant.

[GeezerSi]

Originally Posted by Sai

Everytime I let go of the wheel the car starts to drift to the right... getting slightly annoying. Any simple check to do before taking it to the dealer? Hopefully it won't cost much to fix

edit: car info (07 Civic Coupe LX auto)

Your dealer should be able to check the alignment for you to make sure it's within specification. Let them know you're very serious if they try to blow you off. Make them put it on the alignment rack, and show you the printout. This is a new car, and should be at their cost - again insist on this. Good luck.

[xmx250]

i have an 07 Si coupe from ontario. I have not noticed any alignment problems and i'm at nearly 5000 miles.

[GMech]

My car doesn't pull but the steering wheel is not centered.
I don't trust the Honda ppl so I have the alignment checked by my speed shop pros.
Turned out the alignment was fine, just the steering wheel is off centre position by like 0.30 degrees in total of both front wheels. (Toe-angle)
They further inform me that some new Hondas fresh off the lot has problems pulling. This is becuz the bolt points where the sub-frame bolts onto the chassis are off, so the whole alignment is screwed. It could have leaned to one side so the caster angle is not right. The only way to correct this is having the car on the alignment rack, loosen these bolts then tighten them to spec. Then align again to see if the whole assembly has moved back to where it should. i.e. the middle.

[White05X3]

Unfortunately many people seem to have this problem. Take it to the dealer to complain earlier as opposed to later...If you wait too long they will try to charge you. If you do it while the car is still very new they probably wont since it is easier to prove the alignment is a factory defect.

[shiftology]

i don't know the extent of your issue, so i could be underestimating your problem. with me in, i notice my car doing that just because of how roads are high at the median and lower at the edges for water draining. if i go into an oncoming lane my car will start to go slowly to the left instead . if i go centered over the median it stays straight. gfs 05 corolla is the same.

[GeezerSi]

^^ I think I read somewhere that the steering is usually biased to the right in case the driver falls asleep -- to avoid a head-on collision. I'm not sure I buy this though.

[kero]

Originally Posted by shiftology

i don't know the extent of your issue, so i could be underestimating your problem. with me in, i notice my car doing that just because of how roads are high at the median and lower at the edges for water draining. if i go into an oncoming lane my car will start to go slowly to the left instead . if i go centered over the median it stays straight. gfs 05 corolla is the same.

The real way to test is to get on a multi lane highway, 3 lanes at least, go in the middle lane get up to speed, let off the gas, take your hands off the wheel (preferably when no one is near you) and then see if the car pulls.

Mine has done this from day 1 with 3 alignments in less than 1000 miles. I have learned to deal with it.

[nevarez_ga]

Same problem with 03 coupe, will check tomorrow if my 07 Si has the same problem

[taffysi]

Originally Posted by GeezerSi

^^ I think I read somewhere that the steering is usually biased to the right in case the driver falls asleep -- to avoid a head-on collision. I'm not sure I buy this though.

That's what I've heard as well. I think I've heard that same thing on the s2000 forums.

[Sai]

Update for completeness :)

Dealer checked it out, told me they switched the front 2 tires and it now doesnt turn either way anymore. I just hope it's not just temporary

[vetkiller]

I posted on another thread with the same info. Mine has pulled since day 1 and still does after 2 alignments. I think the steering wheel is slightly off too.