I wonder as I wander...

[drodvold]

I have had my 2007 Limited V8 4WD for a year now, almost up to 10k miles. It is my daily commuter, and I am very happy with it overall. The only thing that bugs me about my 4Runner is that on the highway, it just won't stay on center. I am always making small corrections, one way or the other.

I took it back to the dealer shortly after we bought it, and asked them to check the alignment for me - they said everything checked out spot-on. I have had good luck with this dealership over the years, so I don't think they are jerking me around. Tires are inflated to specs. It does have XREAS, not sure if that has any deleterious side-effects like this or not.

It is annoying enough that when we go on road trips more than a hundred miles or so, we take our 98 Camry, which tracks like it is on rails. Anyone else having issues like this? Any tricks or tips to keeping my wandering T4R on the straight and narrow?

 

[dont eat c4]

I cant say Ive had the same problems. Ive got about 7k on mine and there isnt any drifting that i notice. Do you have the stock tires on it still? Dont know if that would make a difference, but just a guess.

 

[juneau92]

Hmmmm. First I've heard of this on a 4Runner. We have the same vehicle and I can tell you that mine is spot on. If I let off the steering wheel, it will track right down the middle of the road for a long time. I don't know what else, other than the alignment that you've already had done. Hopefully someone else here will have some other ideas.

 

[Bill3508]

Mine does the same thing. It basically sucks to drive on the highway. Might do a search as this has been discussed before.

06 Sport 2wd.

Bill3508

 

[snhrph]

I never had that problem. In addition to checking the alignment you should check the tire pressure. Even if the low pressure light is off, a difference of 2-3 psi in front tires will cause the truck to be off-center. Also, keep the tires a little over-inflated, that helps as well.

Check the tire pressure yourself, it only takes a couple of minutes. I took my truck to the dealer for an oil change, and asked to check the tire pressure when picking it up. I was told that they did and everything was fine. Checked the pressure at home, and left rear tire was at 29 ( I keep all tires at 34).

Just my 2 cents

 

[thrak]

07 sport v6 with 16k .. does the same thing. alignment, pressures, everything checked out fine

my buddy with a 07 Tacoma with the same tires does not notice it, but he actually commented on it when we were riding in the 4R.

 

[drodvold]

Thanks for the feedback. It has the factory Michelin Cross Terrains mounted on the factory 18" wheels. I check the pressure myself monthly, no problems there. Never wrecked (at least in my possession), and we picked it up with 2 miles on it.

There isn't any vibration, so I don't think there is a balance or out-of-round problem with any of the tires. However, I will take it in for the 10k service in a couple weeks, and I will make sure they rotate the tires for me. If that helps, it should provide a clue. I will report back to the group after the service.

Bill3508, when I searched for forum on "alignment," there were a ton of hits, but originally I didn't see anything related to my problem. But per your suggestion I looked a bit deeper, and when I searched on "wander" this morning I did find some related threads. There doesn't seem to be any reference to a definitive cause or cure, though...

It is an annoyance, but overall this is still the finest vehicle I have owned in my 30 years of driving. I have never been 4-wheeling with it, maybe that is the problem. It is just trying to get off the road

 

[Even Steven]

If your alignment checks out fine, then I wonder if the problem is related to your tires?

My 4Runner tracks completely straight and true since the day I picked it up at the dealership.

 

[Casper]

weird....other than having a large cross side profile that makes for driving in the wind pretty bad, its pretty good to me.

 

[Bill3508]

I really thought this problem might have been associated with the 2wd SUV's as my 2000 Tahoe felt the same on the highway, but yours is 4x4, so I don't know. To me it seems like manufacturers are making the steering too light and its affected by every bump and groove in the road, causing the user to have to make tons of corrections to keep a straight line.
Your right about no one finding a cure or absolute cause.

Bill3508

 

[SciRunner]

I thought it is the nature of truck based SUVs to "sway" during highway driving. I have the same feeling in my V8 4WD w/o XREAS. My Scion xB tracks straight and true because it is FWD like your Camry.

I dont know of any tricks but have you test driven the new Highlander or any car-based SUVs/CUVs? Toyota is coming out with a Sedan/Crossover called the Vensa; to be revealed in a few weeks.

 

[Falls]

Mine tracks straight , but steering is awful tight compared to other vehicles , especially with a full time 4wd.

Does it drift like its out of alignment ? or just feels much tighter than your used to . Just a thought.

 

[Even Steven]

Mine tracks straight , but steering is awful tight compared to other vehicles , especially with a full time 4wd.

Does it drift like its out of alignment ? or just feels much tighter than your used to . Just a thought.

I agree that the steering is tight, but I prefer it that way. I drove my buddies Trailblazer the other day, and it has that old fashioned "steer with your pinky" feeling. The steering is so overassisted that it's terrible. No steering feel whatsoever, making it feel like a 1980's Cadillac.

 

[drodvold]

No, I prefer tight steering too - this goes beyond that. It requires constant left-right-left-right nudges to stay in the lane. My wife actually complains it gives her motion sickness after a while...