Imprecise steering

[nutte]

Are you happy with the steering in your 2015 Mustang? I'm not. I want direct steering and have it set to sporty, but I find it far from "sporty".

Try to do a quick turn, lane change, evasion action, or similar, and the car suddenly feels like you're driving a truck or SUV.

Does anyone know a way to "fix" this? I talked to the dealer and, as expected, there doesn't seem to be any configuration change to do.


I've a convertible manual GT. Before getting my car, I drove a GT PP and also tried a EcoBoost. I do remember the "flimsy" steering from when I drove the GT with Performance Package (set to sporty of course), although I don't recall disliking the steering from when I drove the EcoBoost. This can definitely be that I just didn't think about it, as it was just "around the block", but I still wanted to mention it in case someone might have any comment on whether the steering is different between the Mustang models.

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[Nitro]

The mustang has a fairly slow steering rack. I think it has a 16:1 ratio. It is the #1 thing I dislike about the mustang if you don't count weight. This might be what you are experiencing and I don't think you can fix it.

 

[OppoLock]

I've been taking notes on the steering characteristics. Without going into a whole lot of detail, I'd rate this car's steering around a 7/10. There's a lot to wish for and improve upon, the ratio being one of the first things. It lacks prediction and natural build up of resistance.

 

[nutte]

Thanks Nitro. I'm don't really know what 16:1 ratio means, but are you saying that it probably can't be fixed via a software update even if the software engineers at Ford wanted to do it?
Would an aftermarket third party fix be possible?


This is just so depressing to me and I'd like to ventilate a bit...

How come the steering has become a problem in recent years?

I've had a lot of different cars in the last 25 years and I don't recall ever disliking the steering in any old cars. It however seems like car manufacturers have started to mess up the steering in the last 10 years or so. Why?

It could potentially be that I just remember wrong, but I do believe the steering has become less direct on many newer cars. Why would anyone want to have imprecise steering?

Just to give an example... One car I almost bought a few years ago was an Audi S4. I really liked it, but the steering just felt imprecise and artificial so we ended up with a Infiniti G37S instead. This just seems to get worse, and many new cars just seems to be so flimsy that it's dangerous if you end up in a situation where you need to perform an evasive action.

 

[Death_Eagle_571]

Its the electrically-Assisted system that has become fairly common in recent years. Older cars use a Hydraulically-Assisted system, which I think has a much better feel than the electric system. However the electric system can be adjusted to give you a more comfortable feeling, or more tactile feeling depending on your mood. It all depends on what You're looking for.

 

[Todd15Fastback]

Are you happy with the steering in your 2015 Mustang? I'm not. I want direct steering and have it set to sporty, but I find it far from "sporty".

Try to do a quick turn, lane change, evasion action, or similar, and the car suddenly feels like you're driving a truck or SUV.

Does anyone know a way to "fix" this? I talked to the dealer and, as expected, there doesn't seem to be any configuration change to do.


I've a convertible manual GT. Before getting my car, I drove a GT PP and also tried a EcoBoost. I do remember the "flimsy" steering from when I drove the GT with Performance Package (set to sporty of course), although I don't recall disliking the steering from when I drove the EcoBoost. This can definitely be that I just didn't think about it, as it was just "around the block", but I still wanted to mention it in case someone might have any comment on whether the steering is different between the Mustang models.

I complete disagree with your post.

I have a GT PP and when steering in set to sport which is is 100% of the time, I have no complaints. It responds instantly and precisely to any input I give it. Has a very firm feel and no play.

 

[nutte]

I complete disagree with your post.

I have a GT PP and when steering in set to sport which is is 100% of the time, I have no complaints. It responds instantly and precisely to any input I give it. Has a very firm feel and no play.

Thanks for your comment. I really wish that there was something wrong with my car that could be easily fixed, but unfortunately I think we just have different expectations/preference.

My main complaint is not how much you've to turn the steering wheel until something happens. The big issue is how much you've to turn it after that (to turn more). I've several times ended up in situations (in everyday traffic, just commuting) where the car surprises me and I've to turn the steering wheel much more than I expected and wanted to. A really quick lane change is a good example of where I believe a lot more steering effort is needed than I would like it to be.

 

[Todd15Fastback]

Thanks for your comment. I really wish that there was something wrong with my car that could be easily fixed, but unfortunately I think we just have different expectations/preference.

My main complaint is not how much you've to turn the steering wheel until something happens. The big issue is how much you've to turn it after that (to turn more). I've several times ended up in situations (in everyday traffic, just commuting) where the car surprises me and I've to turn the steering wheel much more than I expected and wanted to. A really quick lane change is a good example of where I believe a lot more steering effort is needed than I would like it to be.

Maybe I will get out and drive mine a bit more and see if my view point changes on the steering. I will pay attention to lane changes in particular :cheers:

 

[cush]

Are you happy with the steering in your 2015 Mustang? I'm not. I want direct steering and have it set to sporty, but I find it far from "sporty".

Try to do a quick turn, lane change, evasion action, or similar, and the car suddenly feels like you're driving a truck or SUV.

Does anyone know a way to "fix" this? I talked to the dealer and, as expected, there doesn't seem to be any configuration change to do.


I've a convertible manual GT. Before getting my car, I drove a GT PP and also tried a EcoBoost. I do remember the "flimsy" steering from when I drove the GT with Performance Package (set to sporty of course), although I don't recall disliking the steering from when I drove the EcoBoost. This can definitely be that I just didn't think about it, as it was just "around the block", but I still wanted to mention it in case someone might have any comment on whether the steering is different between the Mustang models.

Not sure what you're talking about.... mine has very quick and responsive steering. Flimsy doesn't seem like a word that would be used to describe steering, that makes it sound like it may break at any second.

 

[Chameleon]

With new springs and sport setting on the steering feels precise and exact.


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[NVulture]

What you may be feeling is the "softness" of the base suspension. I have zero complaints about my EB with PP. I mostly drive in Sport with the steering in Comfort mode and the steering feels precise. I'm a very "spirited" driver and have not felt anything off on the steering.

 

[Hack]

It's interesting that you have this reaction to the steering. It seems fine to me, but I'm not in any autocrosses or trying to weave between tight traffic (oops I take that second one back).

When I first saw the title I figured you were coming from an expensive European sports car and trying to rag on the Mustang, but your tone in the posts in the thread doesn't seem that way. I've read in some magazine reviews that BMW for instance went to electronic steering and it's not nearly as good as previous. I haven't been in the market for anything more expensive than a Mustang, so I haven't driven that stuff.

What kind of car are you coming from that had steering that met your expectations?

 

[Tom]

Would you think the steering has Slow Input / more effort in sport mode for Track use?
Seems moderately slow steering would help at the road courses when at high speed.
Just a thought.

 

[2wheels4me]

Improved suspension and setting toe-in helped my car's steering and straight-ahead stability a LOT. The steering ratio makes for fairly slow steering, but one can use the additional range to their advantage to fine-tune cornering execution mid-turn, given that you have the much-needed tweaks (to even the PP) suspension.

 

[Impulsed7]

The ratio is fixed. It is gears in the rack, so that cannot be changed by a setting in the car. The comfort and sport settings are just how much the rack assists your weeny little arms in turning the wheel.

Where did the ratio come from that is so slow? Ford was aiming for true GT car, Grand Touring. Comfortable on long drives.

On that note, I'm coming from a 97 M3 and another M3 race car (no PS at all) and I feel that the mustang steering, even the on base models, is fine. It has more feel than most electrically assisted racks out there, and is easily pointable during spirited driving. I'll have to remember to post up when I first take it to the track.

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