Mazda3 Sways at speed

[compujas]

I have noticed, that when driving at about 65-80mph (have not gone faster so I don't know), my car sways back and forth somewhat violently (not where it looks like I'm jerking the wheel back and forth). It actually feels like there is a strong wind blowing the car around. I found the TSB's that have a vibration issue with the engine mounts, but this isn't really a vibration problem. I don't know if a wheel is out of alignment or balance, or something is up with the suspension, or the car is just REALLY susceptible to crosswinds. It makes it very difficult to drive on the highway and I'm afraid it's going to get so bad that I leave the lane and crush my car. The car is only two months old and as far as I can remember I think it's been doing it the whole time. Any advice before I ditch it with the less-than-stellar service departments that most dealers have? Thanks.

 

[ZoomVT]

yeah the car is pretty susceptible to crosswinds. we had a very windy winter here in VT and i do drive pretty fast in the highway and i get knocked around quite a bit by the wind. especially with my roof rack, it acts as a sail and if i am not cautious i could be dragged into the other line. Solution: when its windy dont drive fast.

 

[compujas]

when its windy dont drive fast

If only it were that easy. So much power and so much road. I had a feeling it was just bad in wind, although I don't know why, it's not like it's a rectangular box driving along the road. It's even worse if I have one window down, the wind comes in through the windows, slams the inside of the other side of the car, and just drags me along. But anyway, having to drive slower to avoid it sucks, considering it happens like 65mph, any slower and I'll never get anywhere. Thanks for the comment though.

 

[slate1]

I actually don't find the car to be that susceptible to crosswinds - our '03 Camry is much worse.

 

[mazda3zoom]

when we were driving from san diego to Az we hit some really strong winds down by the mexico border and i was ALL over the road. Other then that time ive never really noticed it to be that bad.

Maybe lowering springs would help??

 

[goldwing2000]

You've only had the car for two months... you'll get used to it.

 

[tsunami]

i have never noticed any cross wind issues with mine.... and i have gone on many a road trips with it windy... prob just the way your lil girly arms hold the steering wheel zoomvt...

i would at least take it in to the dealer and ask them to take a look, that way its at least recorded if it gets worse??

 

[goldwing2000]

... prob just the way your lil girly arms hold the steering wheel zoomvt...

(rlaugh)

 

[ZoomVT]

oh you have to hold the steering wheel?
i like to drive with my knee... nice and easy highway driving.
seriously though, yes the car is very susceptible to the wind and it takes a bit to get used to it, i dont mind it anymore every now and then a good 25mph gust gets me though. plus my roof rack acts like a sail and even worse when i have the snowboard there.

 

[El Ropo]

My car does that when the tire pressure is low... YMMV

 

[Nomad]

Get the alignment checked.
If you have too little "toe in" the car will be skittish at higher speeds as it will want to follow every irregularity in the road.
If the back wheels have any "toe out" it'll be a handfull.

 

[BlueMonsta]

if alignment + tire balancing doesn't work.
u need to check ur suspension.
as for cross winds, no one should be complaining it with the 3.
go take out a early 1990 civic or protege in a windy day.

dunno how much more drag u get with the roof rack though.

 

[trbab032886]

take out an 89 festiva on a windy day, you really cant have "girly arms" to do that