Hi Forum ,

 

 

I was wondering what the differences are between the different profiles for the power steering.

My 5e has the standard profile , but I feel like I am correcting constantly ( to keep straight ahead ).

 

Does the dynamic/sport setting makes a difference , is it advisable to change the settings ??

 

Advise needed

 

 

 

nitro2

Within my VRS Sport steering mode feels heavier weighted, pulls stronger back to centre, and seems to turn-in slightly faster. I actually prefer Normal mode because it feels more "normal".

As it is a mechanical rack the settings only change the power assistance given. It all depends on whether you prefer heavy steering or light steering.

 

The amount the wheels turn with the steering wheel will not change

Thanks for these answers ,

 

I will try to change it to sport/dynamic , and test it for a week or so.

 

Right now the steering is quite heavily assisted which leads to a vague feeling ( am I the only one ) .

 

 

keep you updated.

 

nitro2

It is unclear from your post what sort of Octavia you have and since most on here are vRS owners which have the different more sporty steering fitted so they may not have the problem

but...

I know what you are saying about the need for constant steering correction.

The thing that really sold me on my previous mk2 Octavia Ambition wagon was the steering feel on the open road and the effortless ability to steer accurately at speed on the open road.

The mk3 (low spec Ambition) is a better car for many aspects but the steering feel does just not have that same magic being a lot lighter and more vague. It does not have different modes options here either in Australia.

 

It was not until I drove a mk5 Golf Gti recently (I believe the Mk2 Octavia was off the same platform) that I realised it was not the lightness of the steering that was the problem but the fact it does not centre so positively.

I remember the mk2 could would track in a straight line on a heavily cambered road, in strong cross-winds, seemingly unaffected by tram-lining or the trucks slipstream. Only minor steering corrections were required and there was a 'feedback' against those minor corrections. I thought it was amazingly good.

 

The mk3 steering is true to input but due to the lack of feedback there is a tendency to keep over-correcting even wandering.

On a straight road, set the steering straight ahead and let go of the wheel and the car will run straight ahead, which is all fine.

However pull the wheel off-centre by an inch or so in either direction and steering wheel will stay there and the car will maintain the slight turn with the same tenacity as it does not have a natural tendency to return to a true straight ahead position, that I remember from the mk2 and the experienced with the Golf mk5.

I do not know if the lack of self-centering is due to steering geometry or the electric steering programming (the mk2 also had all electric steering).

I'm also unclear whether this 'problem' this is specific to my car or is general to all non vRS.

Let me be clear it is not a problem around town and I have sort of got used to it on the open road by limiting my input to fractional steering movements rather than the over-correction I was guilty of.

It is just I much prefer having the feel of where the centre steering point is. Without it is a bit like trying to type on a keyboard that does not have the "F" and "J" locator pimples.

 

Have others experienced this or should I be going back to the dealer looking for a software update or rectification work?

Edited 14 June, 201610 yr by Gerrycan

On the VRS I have no issues with either the default or the "sport" settings - steering is light and accurate and requires no tweaks or adjustments to keep in line...all good!

So , I changed the profile from "standard" to "sport/dynamic ".

 

And after one week of driving a lot I can only say it pulls much better to the center , resulting In a more comfortable feel whilst driving highway.

 

I can not tell if it is much of a difference at low speed or in town ...................

 

 

so definitely worth the try to do the re-programming

 

nitro2