Auris Problems

[MikeLovinUK]

Hi Guys I’ve had my new car for a couple of days now and have noticed some problems. It is a 1.6 VVTI Manual 2007.

1. The steering drifts to the left and every so often the steering wheel will turn sharply to one side on its own.

2. There is a lot of rattling coming from the dashboard at lower speeds.

3.When driving in slow moving traffic, it is difficult to maintain a slow speed in first gear. Car just feels like it is going to stall unless I rev hard.

Any ideas on diagnosis and solutions to these problems?

Cheers

Mike

[balli hi]

Hi Guys I’ve had my new car for a couple of days now and have noticed some problems. It is a 1.6 VVTI Manual 2007.

1. The steering drifts to the left and every so often the steering wheel will turn sharply to one side on its own.

2. There is a lot of rattling coming from the dashboard at lower speeds.

3.When driving in slow moving traffic, it is difficult to maintain a slow speed in first gear. Car just feels like it is going to stall unless I rev hard.

Any ideas on diagnosis and solutions to these problems?

Cheers

Mike

Hi

I'm not sure there's too much wrong with your car, i have the same engine as you, my car has always displayed those characteristics from new, the steering is very sensitive on the Auris, if there is any camber in the road you are driving on, then the steering wheel will tend to want to turn towards the camber or a dip in the road, also have you checked your tyre pressures ? as uneven tyre pressure can lead to your steering pulling to one side, but as always if your not entirely happy and feel that you have a safety issue then don't hesitate to have your car checked out by a technician.

Regards the rattle on your dash, once again this is a fairly common issue with the Auris, you'll have to trawl through some of the threads on here, but i seem to recall its caused by cabling that has come loose somewhere behind the dashboard, i'm sure others on here can be more specific and give you an explanation and remedy regards rattling coming from the dashboard.

And lastly once again it sounds like another characteristic of the Auris, first gear has always been a point of frustration for me, as its so short geared it drives me nuts, for me a complete waste of time, no sooner you engage you have to change up to second, however, you should be able to drive very slowly in second without the car seeming like it is going to stall, where on the rev counter is the needle resting during idle ?, mine tends to idle at slightly over half way between 0 and 1 at normal operating temperature once the engine has warmed up.

hope this helps

[AURISTR01]

Couldnt tell you on the stalling issue as I drive a diesel, its a matter of getting to know the car.

As for pulling to one side I had this problem had a 4 wheel alignment specialist check it and it was fine, turned out to be a tyre problem swapped rear tyres around and problem resolved.

[MikeLovinUK]

Thanks guys, that's put my mind at rest, I think most of it comes down to me getting used to the car really. The steering is definitely out though so have booked that in to be checked out, hopefully won't have any problems after that. I've noticed that the rattling only really occurs on bumpy surfaces so its just something I'll have to get used to...perhaps by investing in some new CD's :P

[AURISTR01]

Tyre pressures and stifness of tyre have a huge impact on road noise, which can cause uncomfort. Speaking from experience of changing tyres does help comfort levels.

Get rid of any unecessary items that would cause rattles.

I would say stay away from the likes of national tyres and kwik fit, get a proper 4 wheel alignment done costs a little extra but you know your car is spot on afterwards.

If it still pulls to one side you may have a sticking brake caliper causing pull to one side, try swapping tyres first it worked for me.

[MikeLovinUK]

I'll have to have a look at the tyres as well then yeh, might improve my fuel consumption a bit as well, doesn't seem particularly great at the moment but thats no doubt due to the pre and post work queues in Birmingham :(

[MikeLovinUK]

Took my car into dealer today to get them to have a look at the "drifting to the left" problem. They couldn't see anything wrong with the steering collumn or anything but did offer me a complete 4 wheel alignment to see if that solves the problem. I have noticed generally that the steering is extremely sensitive on the Auris, any little dip in the road and the wheel can sometimes fly to the left/right...is this all normal behavior for the Auris?

One last thing I've noticed is that when I come to a stop, it never really feels smooth, there is a little bit of juddering. (Probably just my driving again though!)

I'll probably stop whining soon haha...

[baba_metca]

Is the same juddering applies when passing sleeping policeman, road bumps, or comming of a curb. Most times if there is an increase in wobbleing like that, there is a problem with the shocks.