Steering issue on 2015 sedan

[majbjd]

My local dealer finally got a 2015 3.8 sedan in stock and I got to take it for a long test drive. Around town on city streets everything was fine. When I took it on the freeway(70mph speed limit) it felt like it was wandering in the lane. After a while I realized there is a dead spot in the steering right on center. I could move the wheel a half inch to the left or right without feeling any pressure in the wheel or response from the tires. Past that first half inch the steering was very responsive and precise. Maintaining center in the lane required me to constantly saw at the wheel to get out of the dead spot. Is this normal or was this car not set up properly?

 

[Pahaska]

My 3.8 has no dead spot. The steering feel is absolutely great, thanks to the tuning Lotus did on the car.

 

[Ernie3647]

My local dealer finally got a 2015 3.8 sedan in stock and I got to take it for a long test drive. Around town on city streets everything was fine. When I took it on the freeway(70mph speed limit) it felt like it was wandering in the lane. After a while I realized there is a dead spot in the steering right on center. I could move the wheel a half inch to the left or right without feeling any pressure in the wheel or response from the tires. Past that first half inch the steering was very responsive and precise. Maintaining center in the lane required me to constantly saw at the wheel to get out of the dead spot. Is this normal or was this car not set up properly?

Don’t think I’ve experienced that and I had to drive 61 miles on the thruway from the dealer when purchased. It would have been interesting to try a different drive mode to see if anything changed. I know mine takes on much different demeanor with each change. It could also have been associated with the lane monitoring or assist system. I remember how weird it felt when in the lane assist mode till I got used to it. Or of course there could have been something wrong. I would test another one to see.

 

[CanukV6]

Does it change the "dead spot" if the MODE switch is set to SPORT?

 

[Gunkk]

OP's issue is probably alignment

 

[ckon]

My guess is that the LKAS (Lane Keeper Assist System) was operating. If you're not aware of it it can feel like the car is drifting a little. It's so gentle that it can feel like the tires are following grooves in the road as the system does it's thing.