What to Do If the Car Keeps Deviating When Shifting Gears?
3 Answers
Relax a bit. If the steering wheel is not moved, the car will move straight ahead without swaying left or right. The swaying occurs because the left hand grips the steering wheel too tightly, and when the right hand shifts gears, it inadvertently pulls the steering wheel. You can also try holding the steering wheel lightly with your left hand while shifting gears.
Last time I drove a manual transmission, I also encountered this issue where the steering wheel would pull to the right during gear shifts. I figured it was mainly because my left hand unconsciously followed the shifting motion and exerted force. I had to consciously relax my wrist and only move my right hand. Later, I noticed uneven tire wear on both sides, and after having the mechanic check the tire pressure, sure enough, the left front tire was 0.3 lower. Now, before shifting gears, I always glance at the tire pressure monitor on the dashboard and hold the steering wheel more lightly. If the chassis components are worn, it can also cause this. Last year, a colleague’s car had a cracked lower control arm bushing, and every time he shifted gears, it would pull the steering wheel.
When the car shifts gears and pulls to one side, check these three areas first. Last time my old Jetta had this issue, the mechanic used a lift to raise it and shook the tires, finding play in the right wheel due to a loose ball joint. Then, a four-wheel alignment test showed the toe-in was off by 1.2 mm. Finally, the transmission mount rubber pad was inspected—the aging and cracked rubber block can cause engine displacement. Now, during every maintenance check, I make sure to inspect these areas, especially when there’s a creaking sound over speed bumps.
