Drifting

[versaholic]

I've had my Versa for about a month and have noticed that it tends to drift once I get up to 55-65 mph. Is this happening to anyone else? Is it the aerodynamics or could something be wrong with my car? I only have 850 miles on it! I noticed this within a few days of getting my car when I got on the highway.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Drift? Wouldn't you mean swerve?

Maybe you need to get the tires aligned?

[versaholic]

The car seems to pull to one side. When it is windy it is even harder to keep it under control!

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

yea maybe you need to get your wheels realigned.

[LA02MAX]

you know I've heard a lot about this with the versas....my friend actually had this problem for a while, but she said it just went away on its own...strange

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Hmm that's weird...

You should talk to somebody in the Tech Forum.

[adrianfromthecastle]

go to youtube.com and search drifting... if your car isnt doing that, then its not drifting, other than that, its probably what topless was talking about.. check your alignment

[getfdaz1]

Mine has only 100 miles on it and with highway winds it does move weird my se-r did it at 100mph this happen when the wind sort of picks up your car slightly when I lowered my se-r I didnt feel it no more. Maybe the center of gravity on these car are like that of and suv That wouldnt be good. I gonna have nissan look into it on mine.

[nicolasja]

I also noticed my car drifting, lurching, or whatever on a 500mi drive in Washington State. It would happen unexpectedly like getting stuck in ruts in freeway. There we're no ruts, some wind and driving 70-75mph. I felt no wind effects when passing semi trucks, as I do driving my Windstar. Alsono similar effects when there were ruts in places. Very disconcerting when it happens.I have 1900mi on car. Drives straight , no pulling to one side.

[Ever Victorious]

go to youtube.com and search drifting... if your car isnt doing that, then its not drifting, other than that, its probably what topless was talking about.. check your alignment

Mind you, this defintion of "drifting" that you are proposing is a new definition within the last 2 decades in Japan, and about 1 here in the States.

What he's talking about is a tendancy for it to "drift" (like wood on water) between lanes... what people ORIGINALLY used to describe as "drifting" before the tuner/racer scene decided to pwn the crap out of the word.

Mine does what you describe only when under full load (4 people + 100+ pounds of cargo) and only did it in Eastern Washington, where it's windy. Being that it is a tall hatchback, it has much more side surface area than another car its size. I chalked this up to crosswinds, as it has never really presented itself ever again.

[xu_chen]

Was going at 65-70 on Taconic Parkway today and there was pretty big wind. I was definately feeling gusts of wind.Pretty sure the tires didn't move though. I think you feel it because the center of gravity on Versa is pretty high and the suspension is pretty soft. Pretty sure it's just the body tilting.

[cireecnop1]

I thought the drifting was "normal" for the electric steering systems? Isnt that was our cars have? I do notice it from time to time.

[Althalus]

Mine does what you describe only when under full load (4 people + 100+ pounds of cargo) and only did it in Eastern Washington, where it's windy. Being that it is a tall hatchback, it has much more side surface area than another car its size. I chalked this up to crosswinds, as it has never really presented itself ever again.

I figure it's that, too. When I used to fly in heavy winds when taking off I'd get the same feeling that I do when I'm driving in a heavy crosswind.

[Ever Victorious]

I thought the drifting was "normal" for the electric steering systems? Isnt that was our cars have? I do notice it from time to time.

Not for electric steering systems per se. The cybrid steering system in my old XT6 was solid as a rock. More so when the motor brushes died and it lost power

Our electric systems are a bit twitchier than most. I think they use a pump that's for a car one size class larger (anyone know if the 07 sentra uses electric steering? might be the same pump...) and it causes the car to move a little quickly.

As a note on this point, Subaru discovered a problem with their cybrid XT6 steering pumps going super-sensitive (like, sneezing would cause you to change lanes) and issued a recall that fixed it. If a similar situation arises, or Nissan discovers that they ARE over-boosting the steering, it is not a difficult fix. (In the case of the Subaru, the dealer added an 18" wire and spliced two parts of the harness together)

[cireecnop1]

Cool good to know. thanks

[justmerging]

I also noticed this on long highway cruises. I just chalked it up to the V being so tall and the fact that it's riding on bike tires. That's alright, it's lowered now on eibach pro-kits(there not out yet, I'm rolling on the prototypes) and wheels with a decent width will be soon to come.

[versaholic]

Took the car into the dealer to have them check out the problem. They couldn't find anything wrong. The tires were inflated to the proper pressure and nothing appeared out of place. Two mechanics took it out. They only noticed some pulling where the road was uneven. They chalked it up to the design of the car. I also called Nissan and had them document my concern. We'll see what happens. If it's windy, watch out! The car is hard to control. Too bad...I really love my car! Guess I'll have to get used to it. Thanks for all your input.

[CFRage]

Mine seems to pull to the left as well, not sure if its the electronic steering or bad alignment. Going to have it checked out Tuesday.

[BillStrong]

Well Toyota used Electric Power Steering on the MR2 from 1990 to 1999. They did not drift from lane to lane. What would happen is that at speeds exceeding 85mph the front would vibrate. This was fixed by installing speed flaps on the leading edge of the front wheel well. BMW does this as well with the E36.

If your car is doing this I would suggest taking it tio the dealer and having them check the alignment and tire condition

[COVersaSL]

Mine does seem to drift on older highways where the tires have worn slight grooves into the highway. it is kind of scary at like 90 but it is not just you.

[skylndrftr]

regarding the power steering...I haven't noticed this mentioned but,

is the power steering totally electric (Prius) or is it an electric pump pressurizing hydraulic fluid for hydraulic (normal) power steering.

I suspect based on the steering feel that it is totally electric

[GoodbyeCavalier]

It seems after about 8500 miles the versa becomes more of a solid car. imo

regarding the steering I was told by the dealer that it was totally electric

[Ever Victorious]

It's an electric pump system, AFAIK, which makes more sense. Actual electric steering would scare the crap out of me... what happens when there is a system failure?

I've had an electric pump system before in an old Subaru. Wonderful for parking. Felt very very similar to the V, except that the Subaru didn't have as much assist so you didn't change lanes if you sneezed too hard.

[Clipsed]

I have taken my car up to 120, and have never felt that.

[OKVersa]

I live in Oklahoma where 30 MPH is a breeze around here. Crosswinds DO affect how your car handles. I have the CVT. But gosh, I've been driving for 30 years a number of different kinds of vehicles and crosswinds have bothered every car I've ever owned. Shoot. We are so used to the wind here, one day it quit and we all fell down.

[Rockhound]

I live in Oklahoma where 30 MPH is a breeze around here. Crosswinds DO affect how your car handles. I have the CVT. But gosh, I've been driving for 30 years a number of different kinds of vehicles and crosswinds have bothered every car I've ever owned. Shoot. We are so used to the wind here, one day it quit and we all fell down.

Ha ha. Yeah, I'll vouch for that. We took our Versa out on its first highway trip last night, about 200 miles total (from Tulsa to Edmond and back along the Turner) and man was it windy. It was "drifting" here and there, but I chalked it up to the wind. It was a very smooth and quiet ride otherwise, and the car felt very stable at high speeds.

It's probably a combo of several factors, including vehicle weight, tire size, steering sensitivity, and the side profile of the car. My old B13 Sentra on 13" stockers (and a gvw of ~2300 lbs) was tossed around by the slightest wind, whereas my G20 (~2900 lbs) isn't tossed nearly as much, but then again, it's not a tall hatch like the Versa, either.

[AZhitman]

I also noticed this on long highway cruises. I just chalked it up to the V being so tall and the fact that it's riding on bike tires.

Well-said.

I think a change in tire size and a little lower side profile overall will work wonders.

[tractor07v]

Well I feel better kinda now because I've noticed my V doing the same thing and it pulls to the left and I used to blame it on wind or the road but it does it all the time almost even on roads the lean to the right my car will drive straight or still pull to the left, and I have checked my tires they are good. Also I test drove a CVT model versa bout 2 weeks ago and I even commented to the guy how it pulled to the left and the cvt pulled worse then my 6 speed. Anything think its worth it to take it to the dealership?

[versa2nr]

just curious as to why you are taking your cars up to 90+ mph on the freeway???

[Clipsed]

I bever said that speed was achieved on the freeway.