[asn]

So, my car finally showed up. I went to pick it up this morning (2018, Sports pkg, etc) and the steering was way too soft. I made sure it was set to dynamic, but still too soft. I then drove another 2018, and it was much firmer, drove another one, and it was firmer too. The salesman also felt a difference, but they are not sure there is anything they can do.

Does anyone know what might be causing this? Or a way to fix it?

thanks!

 

[Pcm23]

Double check the tire pressures

 

[rnlabas]

Double check the tire pressures

Best idea - makes a BIG difference - I would guess his are LOW ...

 

[vancilwa]

Same comment from my side! you have to check tire pressure!

 

[asn]

I did check the tire pressures last Friday, didn't have a chance to post here. They were almost 50 in the front, door panel said 44. I ended up dropping them to 42, and it's better. Not quite as good as the black Q3 I also drove last Friday, but much better then when I first got in the car.

Roger - Your post mentions that you thought they would be low. That's the opposite of what I found. Wouldn't low pressure make it harder to steer?

 

[carkarl]

You should check all 4 tires as 50 psi is way out of spec and you shouldn't trust whoever did that poor quality job!

Low pressure in the tires would make the tire side-walls soft and would make the turn-in feel mushy. That's what I think of when I hear about "soft" steering. Higher pressure will make the tires firmer and make turn-in feel more precise. Very over-inflated tires like yours were would be riding on the center of the tread and feel like a narrower tire and have a harsh ride too. Hopefully you didn't drive too far like that and cause uneven tread wear.

For what it's worth, I find that I prefer a pressure about half way between the light load and full load recommended pressures, around 36 psi. The recommended light load pressures feel too low and mushy for my taste, and getting up to 38-40 psi definitely starts to get noisier and feel like the grip is reduced (when driving with a light load, e.g. 1-2 people and little cargo).

 

[Pcm23]

asn: Over inflated tires will make the steering soft/light. Under inflated tires will make it hard/heavy.

 

[Boothand]

Yeah, the problem usually lies with tires, but also one that may buddy from DSRLeasing encountered is that it may be friction or too little clearance in the steering gear.

 

[asn]

Sounds like the challenge is to find a good balance between firm steering feel, and mushy handling.

I was shocked to see the door sticker say 44/46 PSI, but then saw the book mentions 33PSI in all 4 tires for normal load (3 adults), and 44/46 for max load. I think I'll try 40 to keep it in the middle of the range.

 

[rnlabas]

As carkarl said, to me softer is mushy and low pressures cause this. Pressures to high, make the steering feel a bit jittery, twitchy or too quick, as the higher centered loads reduce the slip angles... but harder as in firmer, is not what I'd say about it.

 

[Q3User]

Sounds like the challenge is to find a good balance between firm steering feel, and mushy handling.

I was shocked to see the door sticker say 44/46 PSI, but then saw the book mentions 33PSI in all 4 tires for normal load (3 adults), and 44/46 for max load. I think I'll try 40 to keep it in the middle of the range.

Some people here say 38 PSI is the sweet spot but to each his own.

 

[asn]

I ended up putting 40 in the fronts, and 42 in the rear. It is much better, and gives me a better feel. I want to make sure I don't mess with the handling of the car by going too low, or get stuck needing to carry a load and worry about not having enough air.

Running some quick math, Audi considers adults to weigh 150 pounds. The manual says you can run 33 on all 4 corners with 3 adults. The max load of the car is 1050. That means there is a 600 pound spread between 33 PSI --> 44 PSI.

While my immediate family may average at or below 150 per person, my extended family/friends do not. I ran my calculations this morning to see what the car could support with 40 PSI, and came back with 831 pounds. That gives me a ton of buffer, as I can't imagine carrying that much at once.

 

[Pcm23]

Yeah, the problem usually lies with tires, but also one that may buddy from DSRLeasing encountered is that it may be friction or too little clearance in the steering gear.

Looks like you have been advertising DSRLeasing everytime on your responses.