Slight right pull under acceleration

MiamiBlue · Feb 28, 2025

I have a RHD (if it matters) and notice a slight pull to the right with medium to high acceleration. It's quite minor and I didn't realise at first, but subconsciously I think I've been adding a touch of left wheel steer to counteract with some heavy right foot. When coming off the accelerator it stops and goes back straight to how it was.

Is this a characteristic? (Little torque steer) Or do I need to investigate further? It's not causing any issues as it's so minor, just don't want to have an underlying problem.

Six Speed Stephen · Feb 28, 2025

Sounds like you just need an alignment

scv · Mar 2, 2025

Higher unequal air pressures side to side could result in this.?....easy, and free!, to rule out........

Rainier · Mar 4, 2025

I have a new US I4 (LHD)
On more sudden acceleration I notice a momentary slight pull in the steering to the left as the weight transfers.
Dealer said this is likely not an alignment issue and is just the result of having high torque.
I am not so sure.

Is this a case of "they all do that" or an alignment check being needed?

MiamiBlue · Mar 5, 2025

This is a good description of what I'm experiencing. It's just brief when you suddenly apply a lot of power, continued acceleration and it tracks straight. I'm noticing it less now, I think subconsciously I apply a small amount of opposite steering when I boot it.

Rainier · Mar 5, 2025

I'll get an alignment check at 1000 miles when the initial service is done;
It's a minor issue, though I think it should not be happening.
Interested to hear if other I4 owners experience a slight steering pull to one side on acceleration bursts.

MiamiBlue · Jul 14, 2025

Never solved this. All four tyres pressure set correctly. Had a full geo. Resulted in some minor adjustments, but didn't change the slight steering change under hard acceleration. The person doing the geo tested the car afterwards and couldn't feel it. He suggested the front lifting (car squatting) under hard acceleration was making me think it was steering, but was an illusion.
Online research suggests it could be an issue with tyres (I still have the factory fit Goodyears with plenty of life) or there's a loose or worn suspension component that has some play that's being moved under different loading. (Should be unlikely on a low mileage new car).

Not sure what to do. Maybe go to a more specialised Geo place that can check it all over rather than just do an adjustment.

Rapture · Jul 14, 2025

When I was breaking in my car, I would take it on the highway and do some pretty decent pulls to load the engine and then let it reduce speed in gear to help the pistons seat, etc. On acceleration, I would feel an odd sensation of the car trying to veer. I think now it may be a characteristic of the LSD. Not 100% sure though.

AndyV6fe · 2025-10-20T15:25:44-0500

Hi MIami Blue,
Ive got an early emira v6 manual, 4000 mile (bought used) touring suspension, that pulls right on acceleration most noticeable 60 to 70mph in 5th and 6th. Ive had it in oakmere and had a 4 wheel alignment but still the same, did you pursue this with a dealer? Ive only got a few weeks of warrnaty left so want to see of any other cars had it fixed

Dean76 · 2025-10-20T17:53:55-0500

I have exactly this as well. When I floor it Sports or Track mode, car feels like it's pulling to the left a bit then when I let off it tracks totally straight. Very subtle but repeatable every time. Air pressure is identical left to right. As far as I know, alignment is good. Not sure

MiamiBlue · 2025-10-21T04:27:53-0500

I never solved this. It's pretty minor and the descriptions above match my experience (but my wife that also drives the car can't detect it -though her hard acceleration is different to mine). Someone told me the car is super sensitive to tyres and even tolerances between the same model of tyre can make a difference. The test is to swap the tyres from one side to the other and see if it makes a difference. I haven't tried this.

AndyV6fe · 2025-10-21T13:15:12-0500

Dean76 said:
I have exactly this as well. When I floor it Sports or Track mode, car feels like it's pulling to the left a bit then when I let off it tracks totally straight. Very subtle but repeatable every time. Air pressure is identical left to right. As far as I know, alignment is good. Not sure

I've just booked mine back in, i think either rear suspension setting (if adjustable dampers) or different lsd setting. Hoping its much simpler, im gonna try different tyre pressures on the rear to see if it changes it right to left and so on. After speaking to the delaer today I'm going to check rear tyre wear across the tread as they suggest the alignment being out before might have un-evenly worn the tyres so now its straight i won't see a change until tyres are changed. I think its something more than that as I've had cars with different treads side to side before and drove perfectly straight