2009 Avensis - Steering Pulling To Left When Accelerating

[wilorc]

I've recently purchased a used 2009 Toyota Avensis auto TR. When I accelerate, i.e., push harder on the accelerator and put the engine under a bit of "load", I feel the steering tug to the left. Are there any other owners who've experienced a similar problem? I've only had the vehicle three days. I noticed it when I did the test drive. I mentioned it to the dealer, and was assured that it would be dealt with, but it's still there. Before I go back to the dealer, I'm trying to find out if it's just my car, or if it is a more widely experienced problem. I'd be very grateful for any information from anyone.

[tubaman]

I presume this is not simply a case of Torque Steer ?

[LEIGH T180]

I presume this is not simply a case of Torque Steer ?

I agree.

Most diesel's and high powered front wheel drive cars will torque steer on heavy-ish drive

[Aamir2892]

Yeah I think its torque steer because diesels tend to do that because of the torque at 2-3000 rpm and the turbo also.

[wilorc]

Many thanks for the responses. Yes, torque steer is a good explanation. It's not something that I have ever experienced before. F.Y.I. - the car is a 1.8 petrol (146 BHP), not a diesel.

[Phoenix999]

Many thanks for the responses. Yes, torque steer is a good explanation. It's not something that I have ever experienced before. F.Y.I. - the car is a 1.8 petrol (146 BHP), not a diesel.

146bhp will not give torque steer, I have the 2litre model and I don't get it even when accelerating hard.... such a problem does not really occur in cars much less than 250bhp and does not often cause much of an issue until you reach 300bhp.

Sorry guys but I strongly suggest this is not torque steer

As the car is well within the warranty period I suggest you get it back to the dealership for a check over

[LEIGH T180]

Many thanks for the responses. Yes, torque steer is a good explanation. It's not something that I have ever experienced before. F.Y.I. - the car is a 1.8 petrol (146 BHP), not a diesel.

146bhp will not give torque steer, I have the 2litre model and I don't get it even when accelerating hard.... such a problem does not really occur in cars much less than 250bhp and does not often cause much of an issue until you reach 300bhp.

Sorry guys but I strongly suggest this is not torque steer

As the car is well within the warranty period I suggest you get it back to the dealership for a check over

One friend has a old school Escort Turbo Series 1, fully restored - 210 BHP, torque steers all over the road.

Another has a Fiesta Turbo, 190 BHP, likewise, all over the place.

My Avensis 180 BHP torque steers.

In a friendly way, I disagree with not really getting torque steer until 300 BHP.

But I agree that 147 BHP petrol wont have much torque!!??

[Phoenix999]

Fair enough but I have to suggest that new cars are better than old ones.... however I feel that we shall have to agree to disagree

My daughter's boyfriend has just sold his Focus ST that had extensive work up to 340bhp.... he only found torque steer giving him real trouble when the boost was turned right up

Well whatever our friend's problem is I hope he gets it sorted out soon

[Flackadder]

Torque steer! Can't really think it would be. Check traction control is on if fitted. How much of a 'pull to the left' are we talking here? Road camber, tyre pressures, road surface, was the wet, suspension damage etc are all things that come instantly to mind. No doubt there are other possibilities.

[Thermal]

There are many factors that play a role in torque steer.

Most, if not all, can and will be canceled out by design in modern cars.

Therefore, if torque steer becomes noticable after some time, that's mostly caused by tyre and/or component wear or damage.

I checked this on my Avensis yesterday, and torque steer doesn't occur.

The phenomenon of torque steer is a major design issue on front wheel drive systems, but also occurs on high power rear wheel drive cars.

I owned a BMW 525-eta many years ago, and with that you could do corners with the gas pedal. B)

[Flackadder]

Had a Rover SD1 years ago from new. Always when pulling away the rear nearside would lift slightly!!

[t-spiritpete]

Many thanks for the responses. Yes, torque steer is a good explanation. It's not something that I have ever experienced before. F.Y.I. - the car is a 1.8 petrol (146 BHP), not a diesel.

Hi mate, make sure both front tyres are the correct pressure, wear and hopefully the same brand as this can contribute to your problem but torque steer can be created by the way the power is delivered through the differential and the fact that most front wheel drive cars have drive shafts of unequal lengths.

Regards Pete.

[wilorc]

Many thanks for the responses. Yes, torque steer is a good explanation. It's not something that I have ever experienced before. F.Y.I. - the car is a 1.8 petrol (146 BHP), not a diesel.

Hi mate, make sure both front tyres are the correct pressure, wear and hopefully the same brand as this can contribute to your problem but torque steer can be created by the way the power is delivered through the differential and the fact that most front wheel drive cars have drive shafts of unequal lengths.

Regards Pete.

The tires are fairly new and appear to be in excellent condition, they're the correct ones for the vehicle, and pressures are OK, too. To give an idea of this, I've tested the vehicle with traction control and stability control off. I took the car down a new stretch of dual carriageway (road condition very good and standard camber, road was dry) and on a totally straight stretch with the car at low revs (1500 - 2000), I accelerated fairly hard (revs up to 3000 to 4000). Before I accelerated, both hands were in in contact with the steering wheel, but not gripping. After I accelerated, I had to apply a mild grip to the left hand side of the steering as there was a pull to the left. This appears to be consistent with what's been described as a mild but noticeable torque steer. The car was not cheap to buy. It's a one year old, new shape Toyota Avensis TR auto. I know that the obvious thing to do is to take it back to the dealer, but my experience of dealers is that unless something is obviously broken, i.e, completely kaput!, they try to wriggle out of diagnosing and fixing problems. I'm considering paying a qualified mechanic to inspect it and write a report, but that involves more expense on top a lot of money that I've just spent to buy the car.

[Phoenix999]

After reading your original post I decided to give my own car a try. As you can see it is a new model, 2009, 2000cc tourer auto so it has just a little more power. In a variety of roads settings and at different speeds there was no way that I experienced anything that could even resemble torque steer.

[headhurts]

I have the 2010 2.0 litre diesel d-4d tourer and tried mine this morning no pulling to any side whatsoever just runs straight so you must have an issue.