My relatively new 1450 mile A3 is ultra-senstitive to steering inputs to the degree that it's a chore to maintain a straight line path of travel. The scenerio goes something like this- car drifts slightly off line to the right, I correct left, car drifts left, I correct right, car drifts right and so on, so on. It's not unstable mind you, just requires a lot of correction in normal driving. I realize the alignment should be checked but I'd like to know if the electro hydraulic powered steering has settings in the ECU that can be changed to decrease steering input sentitivity.

 

Not sure if it can be done on the '08 models (check Chef's noob guides which is perma-linked on top of the messages here) as this was figured out in the '06 models. I know after coming from a BMW 3-series to the A3, that the steering was quite sensitive compared to the stiff steering on the Bimmer. I've since gotten used to it and actually become comfortable with it (takes a few thousand miles but I'm adaptable!). As for the drifting off, definitely check the alignment. Mine barely drifts, specially going on highway straightaways. There'll always be slight corrections that need to be made but no road is ever straight enough for me to test out where it's properly aligned or not. I gotta take the techs at their word for it!

Welcome to the A3 club though!

 

So far, you can only adjust the steering boost on the 2006 model in the U.S.




Cheers!

 

i found that also when i got my car.. have you checked or changed the tire preasure?? I lowered mine and it went away it was at 65psi like a damn balloon

 

Thanks for the response, guys. It's true about the tire pressure, I lowered from 38 to 36 and that minute amount made some improvement. And I follow the "get my software adjusted to the car before making changes" philosophy so I'll give it some more time. I can imagine the dealer will put me on his "cranks" list if I mention this there.