[Gofigure]

I took one of these out for a test drive and the steering was the first thing I noticed. Much to light and sensitive to the slightest movement of the wheel. You can get sea sick with this thing. When I removed my hands from the wheel the Ascent drove as straight as an arrow. I liked the fact that you can turn the wheels with minimal effort but something needs to be done about the lightness of the steering while driving. I presently drive a 2013 outback with much tighter steering. I don’t think it had anything to do with the tires. As someone said the steering should tighten as you pick up speed.

 

[Gofigure]

So I’m not the only one who noticed the same behavior with the steering. I mentioned this to the salesman while test driving and he remained silent. Had the feeling he’s heard this before.

 

[Soca]

This is typical of the 40psi shipping tire pressure. I bet your dealer never reset the tires to the correct psi.

Thanks! I’ll check it out! I always thought high psi only affected ride harshness. I’d understand if they were so overinflated only the center was on the road. But 40psi isn’t that far off. Either way I’ll check it out tomorrow

And the LKA. I figured it’s only active when it beeps. Good to know!

I was tripping out, wasn’t sure if it was because I was tired, had too much caffeine or something but the last time I was so nervous hitting the freeway was when I first drove on the freeway at 16. I was looking forward to many road trips with it, and was worried I made the wrong choice.

I couldn’t test drive it as I had an injury at the time so had my wife drive it. She liked it more than the Pilot so I trusted her judgement.

Definitely not the calm peaceful ride I was expecting for a family vehicle.

So far my only complaint minus the POS cargo light ? in the trunk.

 

[CDN-Ottawa]

I took one of these out for a test drive and the steering was the first thing I noticed. Much to light and sensitive to the slightest movement of the wheel. You can get sea sick with this thing. When I removed my hands from the wheel the Ascent drove as straight as an arrow. I liked the fact that you can turn the wheels with minimal effort but something needs to be done about the lightness of the steering while driving. I presently drive a 2013 outback with much tighter steering. I don’t think it had anything to do with the tires. As someone said the steering should tighten as you pick up speed.

It seems like your hands may be the problem lol J/K

Seeing as it's all electronic I don't know why steering wheel sensitivity can't be adjustable (within a safe range)

I don't have mine yet so I shouldn't be talking. we'll see soon

 

[RichieRich]

This is my first real SUV and I thought I just needed a little practice trying to keep the car steady. Then my wife and dad and brother in law started doing the same thing. The steering input is light which I like because it helps make the ascent feel lighter than what it is but if you dont have a steady arm this car can give everyone motion sickness. I think different tires on this car can be a big help. The Falkens are not bad at all, but they seem basic. Something with a little more traction, like the Sumitomo, Goodyear might help keep this car planted on the road better which might help steering input a bit and with road noise too.

 

[whatmeworry]

You would probably notice a more comfortable ride if you lowered your PSI to the recommended 33.

 

[Subiesailor]

My 2001 Legacy GT was twitchy with 38-40psi tires and 32-34psi it was fine but still more sensitive than my 4runner it replaced. Took some getting use to.
My 2010 Outback is also twitchy at 40psi less so than the Legacy which I bought Grandma. At 32-34psi both are fine but it took Grandma a bit to get use to it. Her description wasn’t twitchy but “direct”. She just bought a Tesla 3 cool car but man!!! There is ZERO play left ir right of center on the wheel its not twitchy but most new drivers will be drifting back and forth between the lines for a while till you get use to it.

I didn’t notice this as much during my Ascent test drive though it was far far tighter less sloppy than my Sequoia and seemed similar to my outback.

 

[pro10is]

Give yourself time to adjust to the Ascent. Every time I purchase a new car I always think it feels odd and strange until I adapt to it, then soon it becomes the standard and other cars feel strange to drive. Also, when you purchase a new car, keep in mind that you'll be hypersensitive to everything because you're paying so much attention. That will eventually wear off. Be patient.

The Ascent uses electric steering which you may have never experienced before. It often feels different than hydraulic steering and takes getting used to. I experienced this in my 2016 Miata. I didn't like it at first, but once I got used to it, I thought it was better.

Unlike most hydraulic steering systems, electric steering can often be easily adjusted via software or electronics. Some manufacturers like BMW and Lexus even give the driver different options for the electric steering via settings in the infotainment system. Subaru may be able to add this to the Ascent with a software upgrade depending on which type of electric steering system they chose and if it has adjustable options. That would be great because then everyone could adjust the steering to their particular preference. Some of you brave modders may even wish to adjust the steering yourself, look here.

 

[JimRatliff]

Another vote for LaneKeepAssist. Twitchy is exactly the word that we used to describe our initial driving. We turn it off on twisty two lane roads, use it on freeways.
Besides, it doesn't like it when I 'straighten' out twisty roads, but I know exactly what I'm doing and what my line is and whet my tires are. It's an assistant, not the primary driver.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

LKA isn't twitchy unless you're sticking the corner of your car over a line.
Lane Departure Warning does not go off unless you've crossed over a line.

Weather is supposed to be good most of this three day weekend. I will do a video for everyone demonstrating. LKA will allow you to ride practically touching a line without interfering or helping you stay on the edge of a line.

Except for the very rare error, LDW does not go off unless you're in someone else's lane (or in the shoulder).

For literally a thousand miles, I thought the system was in error. I was woefully wrong, and regret not fixing my driving sooner.

Anyone experiencing anything different should have their system re-calibrated.

 

[phil.tae.kim]

what's the recommended tire pressures? I'm not in front of the door jam right now lol

 

[Robert.Mauro]

what's the recommended tire pressures? I'm not in front of the door jam right now lol

20"... 33psi
18"... 35psi

 

[Carl Abrams]

what's the recommended tire pressures? I'm not in front of the door jam right now lol

Premiums are 35 cold. One sitting 5' from me makes it easy to get up and check.

 

[phil.tae.kim]

I track my M3 on slicks and pay attention to tire pressures all the time. For commuter, didn't even bother to check LOL


Thanks, I"ll need to check and lower if needed.

 

[JimRatliff]

LKA isn't twitchy unless you're sticking the corner of your car over a line.
Lane Departure Warning does not go off unless you've crossed over a line.

Weather is supposed to be good most of this three day weekend. I will do a video for everyone demonstrating. LKA will allow you to ride practically touching a line without interfering or helping you stay on the edge of a line.

Except for the very rare error, LDW does not go off unless you're in someone else's lane (or in the shoulder).

For literally a thousand miles, I thought the system was in error. I was woefully wrong, and regret not fixing my driving sooner.

Anyone experiencing anything different should have their system re-calibrated.

Robert:
Thanks for that advice and feedback. Mine is not smooth, especially to the left. It will let the car drift left until the tire is on the line, and then jerk back to the right. I didn't know if the software was self learning or adaptive. Will put a couple more thousand miles on it and see if I am adaptive.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

Robert:
Thanks for that advice and feedback. Mine is not smooth, especially to the left. It will let the car drift left until the tire is on the line, and then jerk back to the right. I didn't know if the software was self learning or adaptive. Will put a couple more thousand miles on it and see if I am adaptive.

Yep, it'll do that. And that won't change. lain:

As long as you're not heading at a line or pointing the nose over it (the wheels may still be in the lane), it won't jerk. I can one finger drive the windy parkways on Long Island now.

...in my first thousand miles or so, I'd be jerked back into my lane a few times, especially on the right side, because I was misjudging the width of the car and line riding.

 

[John G]

Our Ascent Premium has been a dream on the highway. The dealer had adjusted the tire pressures down from the pressure at shipping. We have found it extremely smooth and steady.

 

[Kevin Williams]

If you have the tires overinflated, you're riding up on the center ridge and it will "wander" a bit as the tire rolls about on either side of that ridge. Lower them slightly and the tires will treat you right.

I'm used the the LKA now, so I know when it'll kick in. Some parts of the road I know I'll cut the corner as it's safer, but the LKA will "green adjust" me. Now I can turn on my turn signal to "disable" it while hitting those parts of the roads. One of my on-ramps has "weird" lines in it and so now I put on my turn signal to merge into the highway (which is the proper thing to do anyway right!?)

Also, you'll get used to the direct steering. It is sooooo much better than sloppy steering. I had that on an RV and it looked like I was in one of those old movies where they're sitting in the car not actually driving, but that steering wheel is going back and forth like mad. I had to do that to keep the RV straight. The precise wheel is so much easier and effortless to drive once you're used to it.

 

[Ey31]

Mine is fine! And we drive in pitted and worn down grooved roads in the northwest!

 

[DonSwin]

I took my first road trip this week and the steering was very predictable. I did notice it felt a little squirrley at high speeds and realized I had lane assist on. I turned it off and was happy again. If you don't keep it right in the middle, you may get an unwanted nudge.