Wind Affecting Handling

**Chris73** · 03-01-2007 04:39 PM

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** · 03-01-2007 04:53 PM

Are you talking about cross winds?

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

**Chris73** · 03-01-2007 05:00 PM

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** · 03-01-2007 05:08 PM

oh dear, it looks as if u need one of these wings to fix the problem.

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

**aaronng** · 03-01-2007 05:48 PM

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

**STTICH** · 03-01-2007 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by aaronng

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** · 03-01-2007 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by STTICH

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** · 03-01-2007 06:43 PM

i see.. thanks aaronng

**Adagio** · 04-01-2007 06:58 AM

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** · 04-01-2007 08:28 AM

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** · 04-01-2007 09:29 AM

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