"floating" on the highway?

[norcal]

Hey,

Just got my 2015 Spark EV couple of weeks ago.

When driving on the highway the car feels like it's floating on the road, kinda like when the road is soaking wet, but this is on a nice dry sunny day. This is most pronounced on CA85, but pretty much on most highways. I just have to constantly adjust the steering to keep it centered on the lane. It's very irritating. Other cars I own or driven including Volt, BMW, Audi, Mazda3, etc seemed perfectly fine on same section of the highway, and elsewhere.

Initially I though it had to do with tire pressure (dealership had 4 tires at 42), but I adjusted all 4 to 35 as the driver side sticker say. It seems a bit more stable now but still feels too "jumpy".

Anyone else notice it? if not, any tips?

 

[Nashco]

Does the road have crowns due to wear from normal sized cars and trucks? The Spark is quite narrow compared to most modern cars in U.S., so if there are "troughs" in the road then it is always squirrelly because the of this mismatch of track width and troughs. If you drive off-center and straddle the trough, not only is the ride more stable, but usually slightly quieter and more efficient.

Portland is stuck in the stone ages and still allows steel studded snow tires, so the roads have significant troughs and this phenomena with my skinny cars is very pronounced.

Bryce

 

[norcal]

The specific highway is made out of concrete, so seems very solid. It does have some grooves (for water?), but those did not seem to affect any of the other cars I drove on the same road.

The problem seems to be more pronounced on that section of the road, but I've noticed it on other highways as well - though that might be since I might be more sensitive to the issue now. This includes a newly paved highway that appears to be in excellent condition.

 

[oregonsparky]

1. Wandering can be caused by the front end alignment being out of adjustment. It might be "toed out". Suggest you go to the dealer and have it checked and adjusted. Have them dial it in for you to the middle of the specification. Tell them you want a print out of the alignment numbers and that you want things very near the nominal values - given the behavior you won't accept at the "edge" of the range spec - especially if slightly toed out.

2. Rain grooves will cause a car to wander (aka float). It is much more pronounced on vehicles with a short wheelbase. This is why you feel it on the spark and you don't notice it as much on other vehicles you drive. (Probably more pronounced if your alignment is slightly off - see item #1)

It is a small car with a very short wheelbase - it won't behave like a longer car in many situations. Get the front end aligned - and after that - I wouldn't obsess on it too much. (as you are now...) ;-)

I have ridden grooved highway on motorcycles - an even shorter wheelbase - it is downright spooky...

jeff

 

[norcal]

Jeff,

Thank you so much for the response. It is very helpful.

I will definitely check it out at the dealership. Hope it will improve things.. or I just get used to it.

 

[nozferatu]

Real shame this car's top speed is limited to 90 ...it feels fine to me at that speed but the steering is a bit vague. Could do with a slightly harder suspension setup.