07-08 question on steering wheel stiffness
 

When I first bought the outtie, I was excited and not noticing about the steering wheel. I mean are all the outties steering hard? I mean the steering on the outtie tends to be a little stiff where unlike other cars, the steering is a tad easier to turn by not using alot of strengh.

Is the steering like that? I check the PSF and its full and good.

RE: 07-08 question on steering wheel stiffness
 

mmm... the stiffness of the wheel is the same as my old van so I would not know...

RE: 07-08 question on steering wheel stiffness
 

I haven't noticed any difference between my outtie and the 2003 Hyundai Elantra I owned before it. There is a thing called variable ratio steering that makes the steering wheel easier to turn at slow speeds like in a parking lot so you don't end up pulling a muscle backing out of a spot. Not sure if the outtie has it, but I thought it was pretty standard on most cars today.

Also low tire pressure can make steering feel mushy and unresponsive, but given the TPMS I assume thats not your problem.

RE: 07-08 question on steering wheel stiffness
 

my '07 xls is "not as easy" to turn the steering wheel as some other vehicles.

i like it....... as i think it feels more stable.

i do not think it is a problem , just a trait of the outlander.

RE: 07-08 question on steering wheel stiffness
 

I agree, I like it as well, I have tried some cars were the steering is way too soft. If anything it's probably more attributable to the 18" low profile tires on the XLS.

RE: 07-08 question on steering wheel stiffness
 

i like the little bit stiffer steering. if it bugs you a lot just make sure the vehicle rolls a bit when ur turning the wheel. it is fairly stiff when the vehicle is not moving at all. but yeah, like the others on this thread, i like it a bit more stiff. it is a little more stiff then my 08 Lancer was but truthfully, not a whole lot more.

RE: 07-08 question on steering wheel stiffness
 

I agree mightyOuttie.
The steering does feel a bit on the stiff side at any speed to me as well.
It hastoo much"on center feel "in my opinion.
Primarily the cause may lie with the alignment settings.
Just something your going to have to live with.
All the best.
Russ

RE: 07-08 question on steering wheel stiffness
 

Funny, the first Outlander I test drove had the same symptom as yours...my theory was too much "toe-in" set from the factory. Seemed like the car only wanted to go straight.
(Slight "toe in" is the way manufacturers get the steering to auto-center when you let it go.)

The second one steered like a normal car with power steering, quite nice and direct, but with great assistance.

I say, have the alignment checked.

RE: 07-08 question on steering wheel stiffness
 

you know what..[:'(] i think i like it how it is. After i see how it is, I say keep it.

When going 90 on the highway in big o tx, the car seems really stable and nice handling. Unlike if its loose steering, then I know the steering is going to wooble and you have to keep a grip on it.

RE: 07-08 question on steering wheel stiffness
 

driven several mitsubishi models before the outlander
personally, ive always found mitsu's power steering on the firmer side
drive a toyota, and its way too soft imho