04 Ion coupe electric steering

I've had my 04 ion for about 30 days now and still having problems
getting use to the electric steering on freeways. In the city...no
problem, but on the freeway yicks! Couple posts I've read mention that
saturn improved the calibration to improve the feel. Going straight
ok, but those little adjustments are work. At first there is no
assist, then assist kicks in so you have to be careful not to
oversteer. I drive 1 of 3 cars during the week and the Saturn is the
only one that I have problems with. Anyone else have any input into
the steering setup on new Ions?

 

I think they might be able to tweak your steering with a Tech II at the
dealership to suit your needs. At least they used to do that with luxury
cars with magnasteer.

 

this is kinda off topic but I know the old Toyotas had an electric power
steering that would shut off after or reduce the amount of power steering at
about 35 or so, when you don't really need it, I thought it was a good idea,
sure would be nice is Saturn engineers would have thought about that. maybe
next year?

Jeremiah

 

Huh? Thats called variable-effort steering. Saturns with electric power
steering have that now. Thats what Mark's post is about.

 

Oh god. I motherfucking HATE that 'feature' I paid for p/s, I
expect power at all speeds. It's one of my BIG pet peeves with my
Saturn.

Yes, I know the old excuse for it is 'road feel'. Big whoop. There's
no such thing as road feel in a car. You want road feel, get a
motorcycle, where you actually CAN feel the road.

 

I think the main intent is to help prevent over steering not for road
feel.

 

Prevent over steering? Guess again...in my book it's worst. I started
to pass a car on a 2 lane road, hit the accelerator, turn the
wheel...yicks I had to make 3 or 4 quick corrections before car was
going straight. Didn't feel good at all...kinda like out of control
for a split second. I'm stopping at the dealership tonight to test
drive another ion couple to see if it's my car, me nature of the
beast. I've never driven a car that is this unconfortable to steer.
Everything elese is fine. Well except for the loud fan noise when on
low speed. Doesn't appear to be a "oh you have to get use to the
electric steering like the sales manager told me". It's kinda like the
feeling you get when you back a car at a faster then normal speed.
Steering feels totaly different and hard to make correct adjustments.