New 90D Feels Loose Above 75MPH

[KettleOfHawks]

I just got my new 90D last week and love it so far. Most of my driving is on normal roads, but I've had to take it on the expressway twice so far and noticed that the car feels very loose above 75MPH. I haven't taken it over 80MPH, but the best way to describe it is that it feels like I am driving headfirst into a strong storm and have to fight a little to keep it in it's lane (even with no wind at all). I checked the tires and they are all at 45PSI and the car feels normal at speeds under 75. I live in MI so I'd like to avoid a service call if possible. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[blanche]

Sounds like an alignment or a wheel balance issue. I periodically hit 75 or 80mph in traffic each day (for limited stretches of the freeway) and I don't ever recall ever feeling a different sensation from the wheel. Now I do have the steering wheel set to to the heaviest weight so perhaps that is masking something.

 

[msnow]

Same here. Mine feels solid at 80 mph and my steering and auto suspension are set at standard.

 

[AB4EJ]

The car should feel as stable at 80 as it does at 40. I have had this discussion with my Mercedes colleagues, who swear up & down that factory alignment is perfect, and I expect that Tesla uses similar alignment equipment at its plant. But still, sometimes alignment goes out of whack sometime later - hard to pinpoint where; this leads to handling problems and abnormal tire wear. Maybe something moves a little bit during shipping or initial driving (track test at factory?)- maybe something settles as a stress built into the system wears in. Anyway, if it was me, I would have this checked.

 

[3mp_kwh]

have to fight a little to keep it in it's lane (even with no wind at all). I checked the tires and they are all at 45PSI and the car feels normal at speeds under 75.

If you're coming out of a car that didn't have tires as wide as 245mm, you might not have experienced how some of the roads you travel have gullies. Camber can makes this a lot worse, but simply using wider tires can make a car feel like it steers itself, somewhat.

 

[Doug_G]

Check for toe out, especially on the rear.

 

[Branzo90D]

I have a recent P90D with about 2k miles on it and have had it up to 100 mph with no loose feeling. Definitely should be checked.

 

[Johan]

Check lug nut torque (should be 175 Nm)

 

[Jool]

Going to echo the recommendations for an alignment. My vehicle felt a little "loose" at higher speeds and the alignment cleared up those issues.

 

[RDoc]

I've never felt anything other than complete stability with our car. I'd suggest you get this checked sooner rather than later.

 

[cassiri]

Give it a few more weeks. My P85D felt unstable at highway speeds particularly changing lanes quickly when I first took delivery. I don't notice it anymore (now with 5k miles) and think it has to do with new tires breaking in. I have the Contisilent tires 245/35/21 all around. What do you have and how many miles on them?

 

[brianman]

"Old" P85D feels fine up to (at least) 145mph.

Note that sometimes it's the road quality at issue.

Edit:
In light of TEUNTSLA's comment, noting that my steering setting is "Sport".

 

[TEUNTSLA]

Coming from mercedes to Tesla i found a similar feeling on occassion. switch the power steering to sport from comfort and you will have more feel in the steering wheel. i find the comfort setting does this. just my 2 cts.

 

[JPP]

Grooved highway?? Sometimes this can cause the car to feel like it is wandering.

 

[roblab]

Same here. Mine feels solid at 80 mph and my steering and auto suspension are set at standard.

Mine is stable at over 110, with steering at comfort.

Or else I am not very aware, like you folk are.

Did you know it squawks at you if cruise is on over 90?

 

[brianman]

Did you know it squawks at you if cruise is on over 90?

Yah, but if you're going downhill (well Snoqualmie is more than a "hill" I suppose) you can get it to reach 100mph even at that setting.

 

[mspohr]

Grooved highway?? Sometimes this can cause the car to feel like it is wandering.

My 85D is steady and solid as fast as I have driven it (110 or so). Feels like it's on rails.
However, there are a few sections of grooved pavement on I80 where it gets a bit squirrelly.

 

[KettleOfHawks]

I took it on a different expressway and it felt fine, so now I'm wondering if it was just the road I was on. I will have to do a bit more testing before I commit to a service call. I did forget about the steering though, and changed that to Sport from Standard and it definitely feels better in normal driving.