wandering Versa
Asked by Erick Jul 23, 2016 at 05:07 PM about the 2015 Nissan Versa 1.6 SV
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Hi guys, How do I keep my daughter's 2015 Nissan Versa SV from wandering at highway speeds and cross winds. The front end checks out as does the alignment. Wider tires? Is there any aftermarket stuff that might help?
11 Answers
Wider tires might make it worse. Drifting in cross winds, since they vary in speed and direction relative to the vehicle, will likely not be helped by alignment. I would take it to a shop that specializes in alignments and try again.
Additional info, is this a new car? If used, how many miles on it? Have you checked the tire pressure? Are the tires new? What brand and model of tires?
Good tires, pressure correct. 10k miles on Bridgestone Ecopia. 20k on car.
Have u figured this out? My daughter complains of the same thing.
Light cars will blow around in the wind. Some tires "track" worse than others which means they follow irregularities in the road. All cars will move around in cross winds when the wind is bad enough. How fast are the cross winds? Tell the alignment shop that the car your concerns and they may be able to make adjustments that will help a little.
Easy. I got it. Car guru is too basic. There is a lot of gear lash. Not sure if it means anything. but don't use the cruise control over 55mph. After that, as soon as it starts to wander, give it a little gas and keep it under load, don't let it coast at speed. It seems to work very well. Don't EVER go over 75mph. These cars are set up for high mileage and will disengage the engine from the drive wheels every chance it gets. The loose ( gear lash) will cause it to wander. I will get back to you when I find out more. This car should never have been imported to the US. Maybe a good city car, but that's it. Don't bother with sticky tires , just lower the pressure to 28 psi. Seems to work. I will post as I find out more. As a kid, cars were my hobby.
Black_WRX021 answered 4 years ago
My girlfriend’s 2017 versa has been swaying since day one brand new. It’s a piss poor engineered vehicle that is unsafe at highway speeds. Her car is and has always been properly maintained by me. I give it the same level of attention I do to my WRX. It’s never been in an accident, she doesn’t drive aggressively, and the tires are in great condition. For the remainder of the time I recommend slightly wider wheels at the same diameter; also possibly lower the car a 1/4-1/2 and inch to see if that makes a significant improvement in handling. Will also look at the sway bars with all that. If it does make a substantial difference I will report back on it.
I have a 2018 versa same problem if i go on the highway more than 70 ;no matter if the wind is 5- 50mph it sways. Dont know how to fix it before i end up wrecking.
Black_Wrx021 I have a 2017 versa as well that's doing the exact same thing, did you figure out why?
Guru9DMC16 answered 4 years ago
I have a 2018 Versa, and I found that about 32 psi in the tires is about as much as I want as it seems to get very bouncy with more. The vehicle is great for cities and mountain roads but just not designed for the interstates.
I could not hold my new 2024 versa with 700 miles on it in a straight line yesterday in illinois with 35 mph winds, unsafe to drive, what the hell!!