M3 LR Steering wheel feels funny

[TM3PTN]

Hi all,

I am on my second M3 (first was a 2019 M3P, swapped for a 2022 M3LR) and I noticed something I haven't experienced before (or I may not have noticed it).
When I turn the steering wheel it feels a little 'clicks' - like you're turning a cog, or think of the haptic touch sensation you get on your phones. It isn't smooth.

Is this normal?

I don't recall having this issue with my previous car, nor when i first got this car. It may have been evident but I have only noticed it over the past few days.
I have tried setting the steering wheel comfort into standard, sport and whatever the other one is (chill I think), but the sensation is still the same.

Any thoughts welcome as always

 

[GlynG]

Doesn't sound normal to me and perhaps the first time I've ever heard of this sensation. The only thing that comes to mind is the clock spring - its a unit underneath the steering wheel and around the column which houses all the electrical connections that go to the steering wheel, inside it isn't a spring at all so no idea why its called a clock spring - Inside its like one of those old computer ribbons with 40 or so wires bound together to form a web like length Its job is to allow flexibility to pass electrical currents from a static position( fixed wiring) to another static position (connections on the steering wheel) via a part that has rotational movement (You turning the steering wheel)

 

[init6]

Like this?

Steering wheel not able to drive straight

STEERING WHEEL ISSUE -- Have a Model Y we got back in September 2022. I have recently experienced that the steering wheel is not turning in a smooth movement but in 'steps'. Unfortunately, it means that car when driving on the highway is unable to drive straight, as this is just between two of...

teslamotorsclub.com

 

[TM3PTN]

Thanks both.

Init6 - just read through the thread (thanks for sharing). It does sound very familiar. Mine does drive straight but the turning motion is very 'notch'.

Took it to SC booking today and they advised it was normal, which flies against what other PCs have said for the others in that thread so I think I will be having a chat with them again at some point.

I may wait until the next software update to be sure.

 

[Lipslide]

I had this problem with my Q1 2021 Model 3 Fremont build. The SC replaced STEERING GEAR - LEFT HAND DRIVE (1044831-00-H) yesterday and the steering feel is back to normal.

 

[debrooker]

Yes there are a bunch of us with this issue now and there are a few other threads running regarding this

 

[bozok]

yeah,
I experienced the same issue immediately after early February software update.
Took the car to Tesla service and they advised it is safe to drive and just wait for another update. There were two updates since and the issue is still not fixed.

 

[thax1]

yeah,
I experienced the same issue immediately after early February software update.
Took the car to Tesla service and they advised it is safe to drive and just wait for another update. There were two updates since and the issue is still not fixed.

Fingers crossed. I would far rather a software fix than swapping out a whole steering rack. Software broke the steering feel, so hopefully can be the fix also.
The ‘single-chip / double-chip’ steering rack thing mentioned elsewhere will not be an issue for my vehicle- it’s never getting FSD (at least under my ownership!)

 

[plisken]

just wait for another update.

Absolutely sick of hearing this now (not from you). It's almost their answer to anything they can't fix and I'm sure it gets used as a fob off in many cases.

 

[Lipslide]

Probably different revisions of the steering rack.

 

[Benotomy]

Fingers crossed. I would far rather a software fix than swapping out a whole steering rack. Software broke the steering feel, so hopefully can be the fix also.
The ‘single-chip / double-chip’ steering rack thing mentioned elsewhere will not be an issue for my vehicle- it’s never getting FSD (at least under my ownership!)

I agree with your comments. One issue I find hard to accept is that they promoted the vehicles as future proof in terms of hardware related to FSD-if the chip business is as we understand, then clearly we are short changed and they misrepresented the specs / future capability. The resale value of the car is another point depending on how it is financed.

 

[SHT54]

I agree with your comments. One issue I find hard to accept is that they promoted the vehicles as future proof in terms of hardware related to FSD-if the chip business is as we understand, then clearly we are short changed and they misrepresented the specs / future capability. The resale value of the car is another point depending on how it is financed.

Absolutely.
First, they cripple the car (No SAE ADAS level 3 ever). Then the car develops issues after the update. It must not have been tested sufficiently before the release.

And I agree. A promise that ("next year") your car will become autonomous and a robotaxi (will be making money for you) is also a huge selling point.
Personally, I cannot see how FSD would be possible with 1.2MPix cameras.

 

[1k-dummy]

Thanks both.

Init6 - just read through the thread (thanks for sharing). It does sound very familiar. Mine does drive straight but the turning motion is very 'notch'.

Took it to SC booking today and they advised it was normal, which flies against what other PCs have said for the others in that thread so I think I will be having a chat with them again at some point.

I may wait until the next software update to be sure.

If steering isn't smooth it isn't normal.
When we say our car can't drive straight it's because we can't steer the wheel exactly like we wish because of the "notchs", not that it's swaying itself.

 

[WllXM]

Personally, I cannot see how FSD would be possible with 1.2MPix cameras.

Well arguably you can read a reg plate 20m away with a 1.2mpix resolution, that's the DVLA eyesight requirement...

 

[init6]

They don't even use all of the 1.2Mpix anyway...

 

[MrBadger]

They don't even use all of the 1.2Mpix anyway...

And the other half of the pixels are obscured by sun, rain, spray, fog, dirt, icicles, *sugar*, etc etc

 

[SHT54]

And the other half of the pixels are obscured by sun, rain, spray, fog, dirt, icicles, *sugar*, etc etc

The side cameras situation scares me (B-pillars). When you cross the junction, the car makes a life/death decision to move forward based on inputs from that camera. I am not even sure if it is angled properly.
There should be at least two of them IMO for autonomy to safely function (redundancy reasons). Maybe also two different locations in case one is obstructed by some obstacles like posts, other traffic, spray, glare, etc. Side collisions (T-bones) can be really dangerous.

 

[init6]

Let's not make every thread about Tesla Vision - there are plenty of them already

 

[Chreutz]

Thanks both.

Init6 - just read through the thread (thanks for sharing). It does sound very familiar. Mine does drive straight but the turning motion is very 'notch'.

Took it to SC booking today and they advised it was normal, which flies against what other PCs have said for the others in that thread so I think I will be having a chat with them again at some point.

I may wait until the next software update to be sure.

2023.6.8 has fixed this for me on my MYLR. Have you gotten this update yet?

 

[TM3PTN]

2023.6.8 has fixed this for me on my MYLR. Have you gotten this update yet?

Nothing as yet. Took it to SC on Thursday and the techie did say its a firmware issue that should be sorted in the next couple of updates. Fingers crossed!