Pontiac Repair: Steering on 2006 Pontiac Vibe AWD, 2006 pontiac vibe, pontiac vibe

Question
I recently purchased a used Vibe with less than 30,000 miles on it. The steering on it seems strange to me. When I turn the wheel to go around a curve, the wheel wants to go back to the straight position before I have finished the turn. What I am trying to say is that it takes a bit of effort to keep the wheel turned in the direction I want to go. Doesn't matter if the curve is to the right or left. This makes it tiring to drive on curvy roads. Is this just a characteristic of the car I have to get used to? This is more pronounced between 40 and 55mph. Above or below this range, you can still feel the pull, but not nearly as much. Thank you

Answer
Hi Mary:

I think is is just the feel of the car being that it's AWD the rear wheels are driving the car as well meaning the rear tires are pushing the front of the car giving it a "plowing" feel when you are turning the wheel. You can have the alignment checked on this car. A 4 wheel alignment the rear is adjustable in this car. Have them take particular notice of what the front "caster" reading are on this car it is what controls the steering wheel return to center and also that the cars drives straight down the road. Unfortunately on this car you can't adjust that measurement if it's out of specs then that car may have been involved in an accident. I would also look at the tires on the car make sure they are all the same size,make and model of tire. If it has miss matched tires either size,make or difference in tread depth it can cause all kinds of issues as well. Use a penny in the tread and see how much you have in all the tires compare how much of Lincoln head you can see when you insert it into the tread. Good luck :}