General Fiat 500 very light steering...

[Ros3]

Wondering if I could ask for some advice regarding a 500 that I have just bought for my wife as her first car.. We love the motor and it all works as it should, however I am finding that the steering is incredibly light, so much so that the slightest turn of the wheel and the car is nipping about all over the place. I have had the tracking done and the wheels balanced and the steering wheel sits perfectly straight, just that it takes the very slightest movement to get the car turning. Is this normal ?, I am used to a much bigger and heavy car so I am finding it very strange. Any help would be great thanks

 

[chris3234]

Is the city button pressed ?

 

[Ros3]

Hi, No that's the thing, even without pressing the city button the car's steering is very light, that was one of the first things I thought but no it's switched off ???.

 

[jrkitching]

Have you checked that pressing the <city> switch makes the steering lighter still? Pressing it should also illuminate a telltale light on the MFD.

One way to find out if your car is normal for its type is to go test drive a different example of a similar model.

 

[Ros3]

Have you checked that pressing the <city> switch makes the steering lighter still? Pressing it should also illuminate a telltale light on the MFD.

One way to find out if your car is normal for its type is to go test drive a different example of a similar model.

When the switch is pressed the word "city" shows on the display, I'm not sure about any light, could it be possible that the switch is on and it's not showing on the display ?..

 

[Bluetruck]

If it shows City then its switched on. It only makes the steering light up to a certain speed (15mph I think) The tyre pressures are correct and not overinflated I assume?

 

[John202020]

Check your tyre pressures are not way high?

 

[Bluetruck]

Check your tyre pressures are not way high?

Beat you to it!?

 

[Ros3]

I think the tyre pressure is 30 at the rear and 33 at the front, I think that's correct ??..

 

[Bluetruck]

I think the tyre pressure is 30 at the rear and 33 at the front, I think that's correct ??..

Thats fine.

 

[muttleysdad]

Could be that you're not used to small light cars, Mine felt very twitchy to me when I first got it but i soon got used to it.
As mentioned above if worried go to a dealer and see if they'll let you have a quick drive around the car park in one of theirs. - Make sure it has the same size wheels and tyres on as yours - the fatter the Wheels the heavier the steering feels.

 

[Ros3]

Could be that you're not used to small light cars, Mine felt very twitchy to me when I first got it but i soon got used to it.
As mentioned above if worried go to a dealer and see if they'll let you have a quick drive around the car park in one of theirs. - Make sure it has the same size wheels and tyres on as yours - the fatter the Wheels the heavier the steering feels.

You know I am beginning to think that it may just be me that is not used to a car with very light steering. The wife is driving it and she is happy so that's good enough for me. Thanks to all for your help and input..

 

[ronmanager]

Have you checked that you haven't got the car set to 'Hover' mode - it's in the computer menu just after 'day running lights on/off'


#justkidding

 

[alexGS]

One more bit of hopefully-relevant info... when I fitted new tyres to my Abarth, the steering suddenly became much lighter.

In lieu of the ‘performance’-type of tyre usually fitted (asymmetric, directional, etc.) I fitted fuel-saving Yokohama ‘orange oil’-softened tyres for a quiet ride. Their simple, old-fashioned tread pattern is very different to the Hifly HF805 tyres that came off the front or the Michelin Pilot Exalto tyres that were on the back.

It’s odd that a softer tyre, with softer sidewalls, can make the steering lighter, but the lower rolling resistance gives a clue to why they have made the steering so light.

So if you need the opposite - look for ‘performance’ tyres.

-Alex

 

[Ros3]

I'm convinced now that it's just me that is not used to it, and either way the missues loves it so that's good enough for me.

 

[power steering guru]

Hi,
Light steering on your fiat 500 could mean an issue with your power steering column, if you have had complete loss of assistance this is also like to be a problem with the column, Take a look at our website here we may be able to assist you further! https://shop.westernpowersteering.co.uk/category-69/fia50009c.html

If you think you might be in need of a replacement part give us a call!
Thanks western power Steering