B8.5 steering center feel

[jungy4]

When I drive my 2015 S4 on the highway, it feels like I constantly have to adjust the steering even driving straight. I guess the way I can describe this is that it just feels floaty and loose. I just bought a new set of tires and had the alignment done. I initially thought it's the alignment issue but I don't think it is.

Is steering the weak point on these cars?

[Envy187]

B8's had hydraulic power steering while the B8.5's (like yours) have electric power steering. The feeling you're describing sounds like one of the cons you'd experience with the steering in the face-lift model.

[KRp220]

When I drive my 2015 S4 on the highway, it feels like I constantly have to adjust the steering even driving straight. I guess the way I can describe this is that it just feels floaty and loose. I just bought a new set of tires and had the alignment done. I initially thought it's the alignment issue but I don't think it is.

Is steering the weak point on these cars?

Spend some time with the search function and read up on steering. Start by disabling DSR via Vagcom. That will help quite a bit


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[92cpe]

When I drive my 2015 S4 on the highway, it feels like I constantly have to adjust the steering even driving straight. I guess the way I can describe this is that it just feels floaty and loose. I just bought a new set of tires and had the alignment done. I initially thought it's the alignment issue but I don't think it is.

Is steering the weak point on these cars?

Its a known issue.

Mine does it when its cooler than 60*F. It can be described as a center notch in the steering. In warmer weather it doesnt happen.Audi dealer says its normal, ive tried to get them to replace the entire steering rack without luck. One thing that works is to do a full right and then left steering wheel lock and hold. Then restart the car. Something seems to get reset when you do this.Ive done the vag com mod myself, havent seen an improvement from it though. I havent heard of 2016's having this issue, wonder if they have a revision.

[AerotusX]

I also have a 2015 but don't have the same issue described. My B8.5 drives very straight and solid at all times.

[Marc G]

Disabling DSR via Vagcom is a good start, leaving it in Auto also seems to help but generally I find it unsatisfactory. Otherwise I really enjoy the car.

[ModItNow]

A few things that helped me a lot was the cr-15 strut bar and not running the factory Conti tires.

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[fmzip]

A few things that helped me a lot was the cr-15 strut bar and not running the factory Conti tires.

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100% agree, the addition of the CR-15 and the Eurocode Alu Kreuz Billet Aluminum Drivetrain Stabilizer made such an improvement to this platform. Installed both pieces at 12,000 miles and the car almost feels like a BMW. Being in BMW's for the past 20 years the constant need for steering the stock B8.5 was apparent from the onset. Front end was way too sloppy to be a drivers car

[jungy4]

If you look at my signature for the previous cars, the Pontiac and Cadillac had the best steering feel for me. The center feel was nice and firm on the highway. It's funny to say but GM seems to know how to get the steering right.

[MSq5]

Disabling DSR via Vagcom is a good start, leaving it in Auto also seems to help but generally I find it unsatisfactory. Otherwise I really enjoy the car.

This. Disable DSR. It is a form of nanny control artificial intelligence in which it monitors your driving habits and adjusts steering based on what it decides is best for you. It must have been designed by someone’s weak armed grandma who spends all her time in shopping malls and grocery store parking lots. If you do a lot of slow tight turns, drive in store parking lots, turn into and drive out of parking spaces and such, it makes steering less firm and makes the steering wheel easier to turn. This makes it numb on center on the highway, destroys road feedback, and just spoils the sportiness.

Disable DSR. Kill that nanny dead. Your steering will firm up, on center control will return, road feel will return, and your steering will remain that way, as it should.

Here is how:

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...es-VAG-COM-Fix

More:

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...er-DSR-Disable

This works on all B8.5 cars to my knowledge, including my S-Line 3.0T Q5.

[fmzip]

I've been driving BMW's for years prior to purchasing the S4. My biggest gripe, the steering feel was nowhere near the accuracy of prior BMW's. Just seemed too light and "off". Driving through the twisties, just never felt right. Highway speeds, car wanders. Stumbled across this and I have to say, the steering feels awesome! Disabling DSR for the win!!!

[doughboy17]

Quick question: Have any of you B8.5 owners without any of the true steering "problems" disabled DSR? What was your impression and results? I don't have any true steering problems, except for the car requiring too much steering correction on the freeway (whenever I drive our A4, which was son is currently daily driving, it amazes me how much better the steering is).

I don't want to trigger some problem going forward by disabling the DSR. Thanks for your input.

[fmzip]

Quick question: Have any of you B8.5 owners without any of the true steering "problems" disabled DSR? What was your impression and results? I don't have any true steering problems, except for the car requiring too much steering correction on the freeway (whenever I drive our A4, which was son is currently daily driving, it amazes me how much better the steering is).

I don't want to trigger some problem going forward by disabling the DSR. Thanks for your input.

I'm a b8.5 owner and I've noticed the problem since day one with the constant need to adjust, particularly on the highway. That's all I have had.

The only problem I see, the smart car feature won't help you adjust the steering in the event of a bit of traction loss won't be there. I see zero downside risk here as I can feel the road and car much much better. To me the DSR made the car more treacherous to drive, not easier, spirited driving or not

[weave]

can you disable DSR with OBDeleven or just vagcom?

[DriveBikeRun]

Yes, I disabled DSR with OBDeleven. And agree that before disabling, it was borderline dangerous on the highway, annoying to say the least. That probably helped 50% or so. Then I installed the 034 billet subframe brace, which took the improvement up to 80-90%, to the point that I rarely notice the issue anymore. Will also do a strut tower brace for kicks at some point.


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[XxSullyxX123]

Yes, I disabled DSR with OBDeleven. And agree that before disabling, it was borderline dangerous on the highway, annoying to say the least. That probably helped 50% or so. Then I installed the 034 billet subframe brace, which took the improvement up to 80-90%, to the point that I rarely notice the issue anymore. Will also do a strut tower brace for kicks at some point.


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Try driving a lifted wrangler without proper castor adjustment Hahahah.


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[DriveBikeRun]

Try driving a lifted wrangler without proper castor adjustment Hahahah.


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Haha! I used to have a lifted XJ that had better on center feel than my S4 did. And I set the toe on my XJ with a measuring tape in my garage!


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[XxSullyxX123]

Haha! I used to have a lifted XJ that had better on center feel than my S4 did. And I set the toe on my XJ with a measuring tape in my garage!


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Haha nothing like precision measurements


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[MSq5]

Try driving a lifted wrangler without proper castor adjustment Hahahah.


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Indeed, For about 20 years I had a ‘77 CJ 5, lifted on 36” Super Swampers. Short wheel base and high center of gravity was incredible in the woods, but dangerous getting there and back. On top of the lift kit alignment issue and high center of gravity, the roll bars were intentionally disabled to let the suspension fully articulate, and the recirculating ball steering had a full 1/2 turn of “slop” before the wheels responded. Scary on the highway over 40 mph.

Back on topic, I found the DSR delete how-to within a month of purchasing my ‘17 Q5. It had no truly bad manners, I just noticed that the steering kept getting lighter and lighter. It was firm when I drove it home. I thought about taking it to the dealer for diagnosis. I hate that experience and I have no dealer locally. Found the thread, followed the instructions. Fixed, and it stays that way.

There are zero negative effects from doing this. It’s how the car should have been to begin with.

[fmzip]

It’s how the car should have been to begin with

Exactly! I can't get over the difference. Very noticeable on hard acceleration and aggressive driving as well, car suddenly feels like it much more on rails. Definitely on par with that BMW steering feel which is hard to replicate.

Love this tweak!

[jungy4]

So do all you guys' Audi's pull to one direction on the freeway when you set your steering wheel straight?

I went to the Drive Select and changed the steering to Dynamic mode. The steering seems a little firmer.

[fmzip]

So do all you guys' Audi's pull to one direction on the freeway when you set your steering wheel straight?

I went to the Drive Select and changed the steering to Dynamic mode. The steering seems a little firmer.

I felt the car wandered all over the place and I had to continually steer. Obviously we steer but it felt so much more obvious than my BMW. Very much like a chore, particularly on extended trips.

If you want to experience a truly firm, controlled driving experience buy a Vagcom and do this!. Feels like I added a front sway bar and a a rack and pinion out of a BMW!

[kjeeper10]

Indeed, For about 20 years I had a ‘77 CJ 5, lifted on 36” Super Swampers. Short wheel base and high center of gravity was incredible in the woods, but dangerous getting there and back. On top of the lift kit alignment issue and high center of gravity, the roll bars were intentionally disabled to let the suspension fully articulate, and the recirculating ball steering had a full 1/2 turn of “slop” before the wheels responded. Scary on the highway over 40 mph.

Back on topic, I found the DSR delete how-to within a month of purchasing my ‘17 Q5. It has no truly bad manners, I just noticed that the steering kept getting lighter and lighter. It was firm when ai drove it home. I thought about taking it to the dealer for diagnosis. I hate that experience and I have no dealer locally. Found the thread, followed the instructions. Fixed, and it stays that way.

There are zero negative effects from doing this. It’s how the car should have been to begin with.

Haha thats funny. My JK with 37’s has firmer steering than my 15. The Electric rack sucks balls.

With that said. I feel my 15 does better when warmer. Also my summer tires do better than my winter A/S’s. I read the 13 MY was the worst and Audi Actually changed something 14+. Glad i found that info after killing my rack. Prob should of just went brand new but ended up with a preowned 14. No change in the 14 from the 15 rack.
so far i have the CR-15 and that did not help much. Im hoping Carista will hurry up and add the DSR Delete. Last i heard they added it but not showing with recent updates so i dont know.
Car is not horrible. i feel i have better control with my left hand on about 7 o’clock than 2 (10-2 or 9-3)... weird.

[doughboy17]

Thanks for the encouragement! I may do this over the weekend. I just want to ensure it does not inadvertently trigger the "notchy" steering or other known issues, which are currently not present.

Why can't these manufacturers just leave "drivers" cars alone. I don't want these nanny features; I want to Drive my car. If I wanted the car to drive itself, I would have purchased a Tesla, Lexus, Camry, etc.

[sacandagaD]

So do all you guys' Audi's pull to one direction on the freeway when you set your steering wheel straight?

I went to the Drive Select and changed the steering to Dynamic mode. The steering seems a little firmer.

Are you talking about feeling like the wheel is almost off center a tiny amount, and having put just the slightest amount of pressure on the steering wheel to keep the car straight? If so, yes but I've always thought someone screwed up an alignment ever so slightly, but my tire wear is perfect.

[AerotusX]

Thanks for the encouragement! I may do this over the weekend. I just want to ensure it does not inadvertently trigger the "notchy" steering or other known issues, which are currently not present.

Why can't these manufacturers just leave "drivers" cars alone. I don't want these nanny features; I want to Drive my car. If I wanted the car to drive itself, I would have purchased a Tesla, Lexus, Camry, etc.

I'm with you here. I can say I don't have this described issue at all. My car goes straight as an arrow on the highway. I can lift both hands off the steering wheel and it still goes straight in the lane, assuming the road is leveled. On the track, driving to the limit, no issue either. Drag race/launch control goes very straight without any wondering or pulls to the side. Reading thru this thread is interested since most of you gain significant improvement. I might try this over the weekend also, just to see if there is any improvement (which I can't imagine), but I don't want to introduce the "notchy" problem if it wasn't there before.

[fmzip]

I'm with you here. I can say I don't have this described issue at all. My car goes straight as an arrow on the highway. I can lift both hands off the steering wheel and it still goes straight in the lane, assuming the road is leveled. On the track, driving to the limit, no issue either. Drag race/launch control goes very straight without any wondering or pulls to the side. Reading thru this thread is interested since most of you gain significant improvement. I might try this over the weekend also, just to see if there is any improvement (which I can't imagine), but I don't want to introduce the "notchy" problem if it wasn't there before.

I will wager you too will find it much improved

[Dakkath]

Are you talking about feeling like the wheel is almost off center a tiny amount, and having put just the slightest amount of pressure on the steering wheel to keep the car straight? If so, yes but I've always thought someone screwed up an alignment ever so slightly, but my tire wear is perfect.

I have a 2016, with mods shown below.

Even with the Bilstein B14/PSS10's it still has some constant correction needed. I attributed this to the small amount of ruts in the road on freeways, which cause the sensors to go bonkers. It drives perfectly straight on a flat level surface.

It's annoying because my arms sometimes get worn out just fucking w/it constantly instead of just relaxing on the wheel.

I had a 2013 that I did the DSR disablement on. I haven't done it on my 2016. I'll give it a whirl.