2012 Steering

[boxman2012]

Test drove a 2012 EX-L and the steering seemed really light - too light. (as in over assisted). At all speeds.

Went to another dealer and drove one of their 2012 EX-L and the steering was firmer. Seemed better.

The 2012 EX-L we ended up purchasing from yet another dealer (that had the color we wanted) has somewhat light steering, somewhere between the first 2.

Seems 2012 steering is too light and inconsistent. I noticed on the 2012 spec that they went with "a new variable-displacement power steering pump". Could this be a factor?

Has anyone who's either test driven or purchased a 2012 noticed the steering to be a bit light?

And if you had an 2011 or earlier, how does it compare?

Will be taking it to dealer to have them check it out.

[wallstreet12345]

I heard they are using smaller tires, might that be the reason it feels to light?

[theirishscion]

I guess the first question would be how is the displacement of the new pump determined? Mechanically based on engine speed? Electronically based on road speed? I'd love to see some details on the topic.

One thing you should check before you go too much further down this rabbit hole is the tire pressure. Very high tire pressures will make steering feel much lighter and more 'squirrelly' for want of a better word, and my Pilot at least came from the dealer with something like 45psi in it. Ridiculous.

[eps105]

Originally Posted by boxman2012

Test drove a 2012 EX-L and the steering seemed really light - too light. (as in over assisted). At all speeds.

Went to another dealer and drove one of their 2012 EX-L and the steering was firmer. Seemed better.

The 2012 EX-L we ended up purchasing from yet another dealer (that had the color we wanted) has somewhat light steering, somewhere between the first 2.

Seems 2012 steering is too light and inconsistent. I noticed on the 2012 spec that they went with "a new variable-displacement power steering pump". Could this be a factor?

Has anyone who's either test driven or purchased a 2012 noticed the steering to be a bit light?

And if you had an 2011 or earlier, how does it compare?

Will be taking it to dealer to have them check it out.

I agree. The 2012 we test drove, my wife immediately complained about it feeling too light. Ironically, her 2004 Pilot that we're trading is even worse (so loose you can't even hold it straight when you hit a bump!), and so to me the 2012 felt a little better, slightly more dialed-in.

I wholly believe theirishscion is on to something with regard to the tire pressure. Overinflated will definitely make the steering feel squirrely and loose. I think the recommended pressure for 2012 4WD is 35 psi all around.

I wouldn't blame it on the new tires. The Michelin Primacy MXV4's are the #1 best-in-class for all-around 4-season driving and should provide better feel than most other tires. I am hugely excited that Honda put these on the 2012's!!

[thorgrim]

Originally Posted by eps105

I wholly believe theirishscion is on to something with regard to the tire pressure. Overinflated will definitely make the steering feel squirrely and loose. I think the recommended pressure for 2012 4WD is 35 psi all around.

On 2011's its 32PSI, not sure 2012's., but think 35PSI is better, as 32 seems a bit low and can hear tires squeal a bit on turns, at 35 all good for me.

[boxman2012]

Originally Posted by thorgrim

On 2011's its 32PSI, not sure 2012's., but think 35PSI is better, as 32 seems a bit low and can hear tires squeal a bit on turns, at 35 all good for me.

Checked the pressure front/rear and they were pushing 37-38.
Brought them down to about 34.
MUCH BETTER.

Thanks folks. Great forum!

[tangotango99]

Originally Posted by boxman2012

Checked the pressure front/rear and they were pushing 37-38.
Brought them down to about 34.
MUCH BETTER.

Thanks folks. Great forum!

The best time to check tire's pressure is when the tires have not been running for at least 3 hours.

[chaydu]

My 2012 EXL is definitely much easier to turn the wheel than my 2009. It's nice in parking lots and low speed stuff but I think it's still a little too light on the highway (or I'm just not used to it yet). But I find myself making more corrections going into a turn than before either by turning the wheel too hard or too lightly.