B5 Driving Funny

[IRONBOY]

I notice this is happening for the last four days when cruising on the freeway.My car drives in a straight line before,but now the vehicle tends to slightly pull to the right.I check the tires and inflate all four to 36psi, but is still doing it .Any ideas before I visit the stealership ?

 

[Btravelen]

I noticed this from the beginning with ours. Can't seem to take your hands of the wheel w/o it rolling to the right. Mostly as slower speeds, not so much on the highway. Early on, they replaced one of the tires that were suspect but the feeling is still there. I think it may be torque related but just live with it as 'the way it is'. We still love the car

 

[dzlvdub]

Tires pulling

I don't know what brand/size tires you folks have on your Passats, but mine are the Continentals, 205-16, IIRC. I noticed the car start pulling to the right at first rotation. When I rotated them back, the pull disappeared. I've had this happen with other cars/tires in the past and it's most likely caused by a slight belt shift or wear in one of the tires, and occasionally more than one. It's called radial tire pull and usually isn't a really hard or radical pull, but just a bothersome, gentle sort of nuisance pull. Also, while I dislike pulling either side of straight ahead, I'd much rather have a pull to the right...if I ever fell asleep at the wheel , heaven forbid, I'd want to be heading for the ditch rather than head-on traffic!
Anyway, my Goodyear dealer here in Broken Arrow, who has been really good to me for the last 20 years and who I definitely trust on tire stuff, has shared all sorts of reasons for radial tire pull. So, it can be who knows what that actually causes it. However, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if, on a brand new vehicle with brand new tires, that the initial breaking in/driving especially with a front wheel drive, could well cause a little uneven strain on the belts on the side receiving most of the torque, thereby causing a slight belt shift, and resulting pull.
Hope this explanation is of some help. You might try rotating them back to the previous positions or (and I know VW doesn't recommend this, but it doesn't really hurt the tires in any way) swap the two fronts from side to side and see if the pull doesn't go away. Many tire manufacturers recommend rotating tires from front to rear on same side, then X-ing right rear to left front & left rear to right front for this very pulling reason. Might be worth a try .

 

[vw4life]

interesting idea. My new to me passat has a minor pull. I thought there might be a minor alignment problem.

I will look at a tire rotation soon and try to observe the effects.

-D

 

[Jack_Berry]

has anyone checked their wheel weights? if the left is missing the right is heavy.

 

[IRONBOY]

has anyone checked their wheel weights? if the left is missing the right is heavy.

Thanks for the info.I checked all four wheels and they all seems to have what appears to be a wheel weight.They all have different amount and sizes.I'll try rotating all four tires and see if that helps.

 

[ColoTDI]

I notice this is happening for the last four days when cruising on the freeway.My car drives in a straight line before,but now the vehicle tends to slightly pull to the right.....?

My girlfriend just got a new 2006 Passat that does the same thing right off the dealers lot. After talking with a good VW friend, he said that there is a later model vag-com adjustment that can be done. He said they turn up the power steering gain for you to bring it back for adjustment. I'm not exactly sure about the 2005s, but I would guess that they fall under the same category. Same for the remote controlled windows, etc.
- Norm

 

[tomo366]

Not applicable to 2005 and before.......06 Passat has Electro mechanicle Power steering

 

[Btravelen]

Thanks for the info.I checked all four wheels and they all seems to have what appears to be a wheel weight.They all have different amount and sizes.I'll try rotating all four tires and see if that helps.

What makes you think the 2005 TDI is a ULEV? I realize this is off topic but I can't find any info that supports your claim. Are you in possession of info supporting your claim?

I love my Passat, but I'm under no illusion that it's an ultra low emissions vehicle.

Take Care

 

[OH3Hoser]

Our Passat seemed to pull to the right as well with freeway driving. Think it may have something to do with the camber on the road itself though. It was more noticable when new since the car previous was a Cavalier. Steering is certainley more sensitive than the GM crap.
Now if I could just do something with the annoying vibration that comes and goes on the Golf.

 

[IRONBOY]

What makes you think the 2005 TDI is a ULEV? I realize this is off topic but I can't find any info that supports your claim. Are you in possession of info supporting your claim?

I love my Passat, but I'm under no illusion that it's an ultra low emissions vehicle.

Take Care

No,I was not under any illusion and yes I have and in possession of info to support my claim even though this,you realize is off topic.The method and formula used is supplied by the EPA.This formula,which seriously exaggerate the fuel economy of toyota prius was used and applied in the reversed form and it extremely reduce my emission level qualifying my B5 as ULEV.

 

[leicaman]

You really should have the alignment checked. I had my 2005 Passat's alignment checked and they found the toe-in off on the left front side. Since I had this done it is just plain perfect!

 

[IRONBOY]

You really should have the alignment checked. I had my 2005 Passat's alignment checked and they found the toe-in off on the left front side. Since I had this done it is just plain perfect!

Thanks L'man.I stop by the stealership the other day and the tech say my alighment is the problem.They scheduled me for next week to drop off the vehicle.I'll be getting 06 jetta gasser as a loaner car for the day or two.My stealership is getting more "brownie"points in my book.

 

[abctdi]

A slight pull on crowned roads is normal, but beyond that, it could be alignment as ironboy confirmed.

 

[IRONBOY]

A slight pull on crowned roads is normal, but beyond that, it could be alignment as ironboy confirmed.

Yep,alignment is the culprit but it took my stealer the second attempt to fix the problem after paying $89.95+ tax to almost a 100 bucks.They are about to loose some of their "brownie points" in my book.
I also notice that my luggage compartment door is harder to open compared to the loaner car(06 jetta gasser).service advisor verified and said it's binding and stiff and there is what he called a "TSB" out for this.The diagnosing tech however,reports this to be normal.can anyone verify this...

 

[IRONBOY]

Yep,alignment is the culprit but it took my stealer the second attempt to fix the problem after paying $89.95+ tax to almost a 100 bucks.They are about to loose some of their "brownie points" in my book.
I also notice that my luggage compartment door is harder to open compared to the loaner car(06 jetta gasser).service advisor verified and said it's binding and stiff and there is what he called a "TSB" out for this.The diagnosing tech however,reports this to be normal.can anyone verify this...

HHEELP!!!,anyone? B5 owners can anyone verify this.I intend to make the stealer fix this before the warranty is out which is fast approaching.