Wind Affecting Handling

[Chris73]

Hi All,

Has anyone that does much highway driving ever find that the Euro is a b*tch to drive in a side wind.

I have an 06 Luxury and over Christmas when highway driving at 110km/h in a side wind it felt like I had a serious wheel alignment problem. It was pulling to the left (not just a little but alot!). The next days driving in no wind was perfect alignment and driving.

In all other cars that I have owned I have never had this much affect by the wind.

Does anyone know if lowering the ride height would reduce this affect or is this a "feature" of the Euro design.

Would like to hear back if anyone has any similar experiences.

Chris

[EuroAccord13]

Are you talking about cross winds?

It affects all the cars not just the Euro...

[Chris73]

Yeah - Cross Winds.

But like I said I have been driving many different cars and over 17 years of driving have never felt anything like this before.

[h22a accord]

oh dear, it looks as if u need one of these wings to fix the problem.
http://www.subiegal.com/images/events/WA%20Rice/summer2005/honda-ricer.jpg



just kidding- seriously, i would tend to agree that lowering may help.

[aaronng]

Same for most cars. If you want to minimise it, you can run lower tyre pressure.

[STTICH]

Same for most cars. If you want to minimise it, you can run lower tyre pressure.

wont lowering the tyre pressure makes the car feels more wobbly and unstable at high speed?

[aaronng]

wont lowering the tyre pressure makes the car feels more wobbly and unstable at high speed?

Not if you use the minimum that is stated on the tyre placard on your car. For the Euro, it's 32psi for 16". Most of us usually run higher at 36psi and some even like 38psi. When it is too high, there is slightly less contact patch on the road (that's how you get better fuel consumption with high pressure), and external influences can easily shift your car (like wind or water through aquaplaning).

[STTICH]

i see.. thanks aaronng :)

[Adagio]

I travel a lot on highways and motorways in general and have not noticed any significant difference between the Euro and any other car I have driven. The exception being a 9 seater bus which was pushed around quite a lot by side winds. What may need determining is what setup or changes Chris73 has made to his car. How many people in the car, tyre pressures, after market kits etc.

[VirIIx]

I'd have to agree with Adagio and a few others.

I've always found the Euro to be an enjoyable drive and no problems with the freeway driving up the coast of NSW along the F3 or anywhere else. I drive around 110-120km/h and the euro is a nice car and doesn't suffer too much at high speeds unlike other cars i've driven in the past.

I usually have my tyre pressure sitting at 38-40 before I do my freeway runs, but that's to try to maximise fuel economy..

but as Aaron said, it can play against you.. where if it's raining and the road is wet there is a good chance of aqua planing.. i avoided it a few times coming back from Port Macquarie, adjusting my speed to 60-80km/h in a 100/110 zone.. those small tiny puddles are bad..

Though, it could've been the day you drove the cross winds were stronger than usual, i haven't experienced a strong one yet in the euro.

[ZEi20T]

the euro might even be a larger car than some people are used to. bigger car means a larger front to the wind. they dont test cars from the side in the wind tunnels :P

my pintara and liberty were a bitch to drive in wind. the S15 kicked ass, low and rock solid suspension. but ive yet to find a stiff breeze to drive the Euro in to compare it :)

[Chris73]

My Euro is stock standard 06 Luxury model. No modifications at all.

Tyre pressures were approx 36 in front and 33 in rears running on 17" rims.

[VirIIx]

the euro might even be a larger car than some people are used to. bigger car means a larger front to the wind. they dont test cars from the side in the wind tunnels :P

my pintara and liberty were a bitch to drive in wind. the S15 kicked ass, low and rock solid suspension. but ive yet to find a stiff breeze to drive the Euro in to compare it :)

That's not a bad point, tho.. I'd thought a smaller crappy car.. like a hatch would have a tough time in the wind :p given it's weight as well!

The Chrysler Neon i had was dreadful, at 100km+ it felt like it would rip apart..

We should all build a wind tunnel and do some testing :D

[ZEi20T]

deal!! you build the tunnel and ill supply my car for the testing :P

[badthing]

the euro might even be a larger car than some people are used to. bigger car means a larger front to the wind. they dont test cars from the side in the wind tunnels :P

my pintara and liberty were a bitch to drive in wind. the S15 kicked ass, low and rock solid suspension. but ive yet to find a stiff breeze to drive the Euro in to compare it :)

bmw claim to test some of their cars (3 series) with a crosswind to optimise stability. they used to state it in the advertisements.

[sendok]

cross wind always wake me up when sleepy... i used 32psi enough. :0

[DJR]

Chris73, I know exactly what you mean and have thought the same thing.

Really noticed it when going over the Gladesville bridge (for those in Sydney).

I have only had the car for a few months but certainly less stable in windy conditions than previous cars that I have owned.

I think it just needs to be lowered to mitigate the feeling. I was looking for an excuse to do this. Looks like I found one.

[Muzz]

oh dear, it looks as if u need one of these wings to fix the problem.
http://www.subiegal.com/images/events/WA%20Rice/summer2005/honda-ricer.jpg

just kidding- seriously, i would tend to agree that lowering may help.

lol;) .. While your at it with the wing, why not try the door bars, ive heard nothin but great things.
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m263/muzz1987/wNTIyNDgyNnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE3D.jpg

Also the multi point rear brace does wonders
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m263/muzz1987/td.jpg





ive been waiting forever for a chance to use these pics:thumbsup:

[VirIIx]

lol muzz.. nice

as for the Gladesville Bridge, never experienced any crosswinds of any sort there in all my years of driving and being a passenger - since i live around the area, though it is quite high and can get windy.

hmm..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSxMOzBsOeQ <- That's crosswind :p

[ZEi20T]

gladesville bridge, went across is yesterday, there was a stiff breeze, i know because they window was open and my hair got mucked up :P

the car seemed ok!