BarryG

I don't think it was doing this when it was brand new. I have driven the car on some bumpy pavement and hit one bad pothole. For the last week or so (only have had the car 3 weeks) I've noticed that on a straight road if I take my hand off the wheel, car will head right. I notice that I always have to keep my hands on the steering wheel. The steering is much dartier than my '95 DX was in general but I think that's b/c it has speed sensitive steering?

So under warranty, alignments are covered for 1yr or 12k mi so I'm taking it in to have alignment checked and hopefully fixed. I read one review somewhere where someone else was having the same problem but dealer couldn't fix it. I hope that doesn't happen to me.

Pro Toejay

my pro es (same color and everything ) has less than 500 miles and is doing the same thing. anyone else have this issue?

Mark_02DX

Nope, mine tracks nice and straight, even after I whacked a curb on an icy road this past winter (whoops).

Check your tire pressure; I've noticed mine's really sensitive to pressure changes.

jlanger

Our LX had the same issue (at 50 miles btw), take it in and get it adjusted (you should have a free 12k adjustment period) Things can get knocked off balance pretty easily, especially if you hit a pot hole, Cars are also jerked around on the auto trailers and test drives aren't too kind on the either. (that's why the adjustmetn period is there!) Anyway it maybe a common problem, the protege has pretty light steering and any problems in alignment will definetly be felt.

leungwingkei

Yup check the tire pressures. As well, if you do an alignment check the orientation of the strut mounts to check they are in the right position. When viewed from the front with the hood open. The left one should have a white dot pointing to a 10 oclock position and the right one should have the white dot pointing to a 2 oclock position.

Make sure these are correct, because a dealer fucked up my entire alignment by reinstalling the strut mount in a entirely different position without my knowlede making me spend lot fo money before pinpointing the problem. So much for the qualified personnel.

capn_krotch

its the crown in the road. i've read on this very message board and noticed that our cars are real sensitive to different road surfaces and conditions. roads around here are crowned - the top is higher up than the sides by the curb for better drainage. so if u drive on the right side of the road, its gonna be sloped to the right and the car will track to the left...mine does. try driving in the center or on the left side when there's no cars around...i think you'll see the car will track in the direction of the slope. of course i might be wrong...

Sir Nuke

the Captn may be right on the money......and its a fair test of your cars alignment considering the low milage.....but if you still have a pull to the right even when you are center in the road....then take the car back to the dealer...and tell them to fix you up. just remember.....a new set of tires will run you about $400......don't wait to long and ruin your rubber..

BarryG

The dealer has it right now. We'll see what they say.

VPower

How bad is it? mine also pulled on the right when I got the car....

But I check with the dealer, he said theres nothing wrong (as usual) and it's very hard to find a sweet road to test it here (I live in Montreal, Quebec, guys from here know what I mean!!)


My bro cavalier was very very bad. If you did let the steering loose, you would change lane automatically!!

BarryG

It's not pulling THAT bad. Like I don't have have to guard the steering wheel that much. Sometimes worse than other times it seems like but it does tend to pull right.

BarryG

Got the car back. Dealer said my car was realigned and was driving fine now. Took it out and noticed improvement. It still seems to pull a little right here and there but other often not. I think it's the steering in general I'm just not used to. The steering is just pretty darty in general I think especially compared to my '95 DX auto that I traded in. That car seemed to not have as light steering. I haven't looked at the white dots on the strut mounts but I'll check those out too. But I think in general, my car is driving better. I guess if I get very uneven tirewear down the road, that will say something.

Padanky

My dad works at a Mazda dealership and said it pulls slightly, so if you were to fall asleep it would keep you out of on-coming traffic!

I asked him that when I bought my P5, It does the same thing.

sunil6784

My car was doing the same thing. I noticed it at about 500 miles. brought it in to the dealer and said it is very sensitive to road conditions....then he said he had to straighten the wheel a little....................

TURBO3WAGON

Check your tire pressure. All the Mazda's I have purchased had low tire pressure.