Brand new Polo, Steering is offset

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tomdxs
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Drives: 2021 Match 95 TSi
Location: England

Brand new Polo, Steering is offset

Post by tomdxs »

Hi there fellow polo drivers,

I recently bought a brand new 2021 Polo Match 95 TSi and as I've driven it realised that the steering is around 5 degrees out from straight. This leaves me slowly going left when the steering wheel is straight.

Now the thing is my dealer is saying there is a TPI on some new Polos having this problem and that it should take around 1000 miles for it to rectify. When questioned they said the TPI was from January this year, so I'm wondering if anyone else has come across this issue with their new Polos.
grazuncle2
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Drives: Polo 1.0 TSI SE 2019
Location: Birmingham

Re: Brand new Polo, Steering is offset

Post by grazuncle2 »

sorry to hear than on a new vehicle too.

I don't know what TPI means, though. :(
Andy Beats
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Drives: Nissan Leaf 40KW (and Polo United)
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Re: Brand new Polo, Steering is offset

Post by Andy Beats »

Technical Point (of) Information
monkeyhanger
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Drives: Audi A4 Avant Quattro 40 TDI, Polo GTI+
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Re: Brand new Polo, Steering is offset

Post by monkeyhanger »

Doubtful it will rectify itself. The steering linkage has been set up incorrectly (adjustment well towards one extreme or the other rather than centre), or steering wheel placement off by a spline or 2.

Used to happen with MK5 Golfs all the time, and never rectified itself always needed adjustment by the dealership. There is nothing to "bed in" to adjust the steering wheel alignment one way or the other from its current position.

I'd guess that the dealership will hope you learn to live with it/get used to it and don't pester them for a fix .

As soon as it ticks over 1000 miles, get it in.
stevereeves
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Drives: Atlantic Blue '21 Mk8 Golf 1.5 6sp Style
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Re: Brand new Polo, Steering is offset

Post by stevereeves »

At the risk of being obtuse, sounds to me like the tracking adjustment could be out of whack, unless there is a steering-related issue with Polos. Without standing up for VW, think it states somewhere (words to the effect) that "VW are not responsible for tracking alignment or adjustment", or similar. OP could pop along to a tyre specialist and get a free tracking check, (think it's still free) they (garage) should also state if there's a steering / suspension issue, if it's out it should cost less than £50 to re-align. Shouldn't have to sort such things oneself of course, but less hassle than waiting for VW, just a suggestion....
Last edited by stevereeves on Sun Sep 05, 2021 12:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
Harrihealey02
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Drives: 2018 SEL
Location: Essex

Re: Brand new Polo, Steering is offset

Post by Harrihealey02 »

I had the same issue with my 2019 Polo. Steering was out by roughly the same from new. It never got better, only went away when I got new tires and they did the tracking.
stevereeves
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Drives: Atlantic Blue '21 Mk8 Golf 1.5 6sp Style
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Re: Brand new Polo, Steering is offset

Post by stevereeves »

This ^^. If, as I suspect, the tracking is out, it won't go away by itself. Unless the car is smacked against a kerb at j-u-s-t the right angle, which a mate did by accident once. Obv don't any try that....
Andy Beats
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Drives: Nissan Leaf 40KW (and Polo United)
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Re: Brand new Polo, Steering is offset

Post by Andy Beats »

Steering wheel alignment is something I have real OCD about.
One local tyre place I used to use, guaranteed if I got any tyre work done it would come back with a squint steering wheel.
I put it down to the fact they used to use a ramp all the time and something about lifting the whole car off the deck was throwing something all to pot. :?:
Might be nonsense, but I stopped using them and went back to tyre places that just jack up one side at a time and end of steering wheel problems.
monty831
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Re: Brand new Polo, Steering is offset

Post by monty831 »

My late 2019 Polo GTI was badly out of alignment on the steering wheel. How it got through the PDI I don't know.

I went back same day as collection and they took the steering wheel off and repositioned it on to another spline. This didn't fully fix the problem

I then booked it in for full tracking and alignment

It's still not perfect but just live with it now
Andy Beats
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Drives: Nissan Leaf 40KW (and Polo United)
Location: aberdeen

Re: Brand new Polo, Steering is offset

Post by Andy Beats »

The wife's Evoque has a weird dash angle that makes it look like the wheel is out.
it's not, it's the dash sort of angling away from you, it's a bit weird.
SuperNaz1980
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Re: Brand new Polo, Steering is offset

Post by SuperNaz1980 »

Hi,

I would personally do the following 2 things before taking it further with the garage.

Firstly, I would visually check yourself all wheels are aligned. You could do this by straightening the steering wheel dead straight then moving the car forwards or back wards a few feet. Ensure that the steering wheel hasn't moved. Park up and check visually that the front wheels are straight and parallel with the back wheels. If it's way out, you should be able to see it. As with anything mechanical, there is always a little play but it shouldn't be that much.

Secondly, drive another car and see how the steering feels when driving in comparison to yours. Try to use the same route and roads when driving. The reason for this, is that because the roads are never straight.

If you're unhappy with any one of the above 2 methods, I would get the car repaired or replaced. The fact they said it will fix itself within 1000 miles seems complete rubbish to me and they are simply trying to fob you off hoping you get used to it. Please do not allow them to do that to you. If they refuse to repair or replace it, I would take them to court. You can contact me on nazrul.islam@hotmail.co.uk if you need any help with this.

Naz
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