So then, i have been reading the forums for quite some time and i just try to see whether people have same prblems as my Tc.

After driving my Tc for a year, i have found things that i feel is not normal for my Tc. I hope you could comment to see if i am just paramoid and that everything is normal or i should start mentioning this to my dealer to have it serviced.

1. Power Steering - As i drove my Tc after buying it in the dealership, i noticed that my power steering was weak that it made steering a bit harder. Its not like i couldn't steer it at all, its just that it was noticably heavier than my Xa (my previous car). So i thought it was just me until i rented a car for my long drive a month ago and another 3 weeks ago (Chyrsler pacifica and Chrysler 300). The steering was much lighter and it was hard for me to adjust that i would steer more than i should and it was hard for me to keep the car (the rental) straight in the freeway at high speeds. Also when i parallel park (i have an automatic, btw) when i back up or move forward in the tight spot, the car usually rolls a bit (since i have an AT) as i turn the wheel faster, my engine starts to tap (i dont know how to call this, but its like the sound the engine makes if the idling is too low). It seems that my engine was having a hard time when i steer when i dont have my foot at the accelerator.

2. Brakes - definitely very weak. I had to adjust dramatically as it was harder for me to brake. I get longer barke distance than any car i previously owned and drove. Thing is i got used to i already and i really didnt tell my dealership about the problem. It doesnt bug me because im used to it now. but everytime i drive another car or somebody drives my car, they complain that it is hard for them to brake (and heavy steering too).

Now, does this happen to you guys too?

Also, now my Low pressure light seems to light up all the time. i have reseted it a few times already and i suspect a slow leak. Hope it is not a malfunction. I have to observe it more before complaining about it to my dealership.

Also, my silverstars got burnt out. I had one less than five months and the other just last week (about six months). I have posted it yesterday and i had a reply that it never happens to him (had his silverstars for years) and i havent heard anything too from others that they have probelms with their silverstars. So is it my car?

So what do you guys think? im i just paranoid? i hope you could share your experiences so i could know what to do.

Thank you in advance.

 

sorry to hear about your problems. I would say that that b*tch to the dealer and have them look at it

 

I don't know about the first three issues, but Silverstars are known to blow out rather quickly.

 

the tC's steering has always been a little heavy.
Of course after a year your brakes are going to seem slightly worn.

I think this is just mind over matter

 

so your comparing your steering in the tC to Chrysler cars you were driving????
not going to feel the same, at all
totally different make/model
dont think power steering is power steering and all cars feel the same, NO

your brakes are going to seem/feel weak since youve had it for a year
how many miles? (just curious)

alot of highway driving or city driving done in your car?

silverstars......yea, thats your problem right there

tire pressure indicator, take it to the dealer (if not already done)
could be numerous reasons

 

i suppose that all cars feel different with regards to power steering, your right...but is the tapping normal? it never happens to my previous cars. The thing is, if it happens to you too, then i could relax a bit. does it?

well, agreed about the brakes. but i had the experience as soon as i dorve it off the lot. i figured its a bit heavier than my Xa. but everybody seems to comment (when they drive mc Tc) that its harder to brake and heavier steering. are yours harder to brake than any car you drove? its not like its impossible to brake. i could brake and even make the ABS start to work at times...i generally think its 10% harder than any other vehicle i have driven.

I never miss a service..promptly every 5000 miles. i currently have a bit above 24000 miles and i almost due for a service and thinking to have these things looked.

Now the tire pressure indicator...ill give it time and get a good tire pressure gage than relying on the gas stations' gage.

thanks on the silverstars comment. i learn not to expect too much with those...there is just so much you can expect from a $40 bulb. planning to get PIAA's insetad. its twice as much...i hope it will last twice too

 

this car is harder to steer than any other car i have drive. However, i think the tC has awesome brakes compared to many cars in its class.

 

Have you looked at the rotors/calipers? These things are TINY on these cars, that was one of the first things I noticed and had to adjust to...I've been spoiled in the past with some of my previous vehicles ('99 Mustang Cobra, '01 Corvette Coupe) that had some serious hooks, but the only way to fix this on a tC is apparently a big brake upgrade, and unfortunately that doesn't come cheap.

Haven't had any of the other issues you've mentioned thus far, power steering seems fine and I've only had the car a few weeks, so I have yet to really even consider new headlight bulbs.

 

Doubt it.

 

just curious, but why would you go from a mustang and a corvette to a tc?

 

piaa's are great, really bright, but if u think they're goin to last twice as long, they're not. i've bought a couple sets of piaa's before. your best bet will be to get the cheap bulbs at ur local speed shop. they will probly last as long as any bulbs u get, same as the piaa's too. as wif any bulb u get, to ensure the bulb lasts longer do not get fingerprints on it or accidentally hit the bulb during install. this will ensure longer bulb life.

 

Kind of a long story, I'll do my best to condense it and keep things short...

I owned the Corvette while I was living in Michigan, and when I began making plans to move to Arizona I was aware that this was the worst state for auto theft in the nation. Knowing that, and having had to break into my own car (due to locking the keys inside once) and seeing how easy it was (I literally got into the vette in less than 30 seconds, quite disturbing), I made the decision to sell the car as I'd rather have that money in the bank than have my baby end up in Mexico, never to be seen again. Unfortunately, the car had depreciated almost $15,000 in the time that I owned it (about 3 years, bought it brand new in August of '00), so I lost a lot of money on that car. One benefit to owning a tC, the used ones I've seen on dealer lots end up selling for almost as much as the new ones.

I brought my winter car down to AZ, a '93 Honda Accord, (which was a lot more difficult for me to break into when I locked my keys in that one, took over an hour). Ironically enough, it ended up being stolen twice within a month, the second time it was declared a total loss by the insurance co. I bought and drove a '94 Dodge Stealth R/T for two years, and I was tired of paying for premium gas and lackluster performance, so I started looking at new cars.

The tC seemed to be a great option, they are holding their resale value well, they don't require premium, my insurance only went up $8 (as oppossed to $800 for an RSX, which was the only other car I was really looking at), it gets decent gas mileage, and it would be *crosses fingers* relatively trouble free. Plus, buying the RS2.0 I'm hoping it holds it's value even better since it's a limited edition.

Eventually I'll own another 'vette, most likely a Z06, but for the time being, I decided to do the smart thing (for a rare change of pace) and go with a car that was both economical AND still maintained some decent looks.

Sorry to derail things guys, just wanted to answer the ?

 

Well i guess it is more of paranoia then.

At least, it isnt just me. The power steering seems to be normal with you guys too. Though ill show them to the dealer and hear what their comments are. I guess the brakes are just maybe slightly underdesigned. Low tire pressure light is another thing. Ill have to observe myself if it is a slow leak. And the lights are just like that.

I just like the car so much that it creates obession and paranoia.

Thank you for your comments and have fun driving your Tc's!

 

Hmmm ...I've had mine for over a year now with no problems. Usually, the problem is with the INSTALLER not the bulbs. (For SilverStars, that is.) You're right about not touching any headlight bulbs with your bare hands during install.

I've never really noticed too much on the power steering issue. (The tC being 'heavy'.) I have noticed that my brakes do feel loose now. (I purchased my tC in Sept. '04.) So I would say that is normal. About your engine idling too low; mine does that when I have just the fan on sometimes. I believe it your tC's way of cooling itself. I noticed that our fan comes on more so than other cars I have driven in the past. I would take your tC in for your Low pressure light issue. As stated before, it could be numerous issues.

 

I love the steering feel. I drive Mercedes around all day at my job and the steering's so loosy-goosy it feels like the car will fly of a turn taken at any speed. Not for all Mercedes, of course, but for the sedans primarily. The one time my tC's steering feel seemed pathetic was after I drove my girlfriend's dad's '57 Bel Air with no power steering or brakes. You had to decide to brake a good two football fields from wherever it was, sheez. And when turning without moving... I doubt many women could muster it (no offense to women, just giving an idea of the difficulty)

 

I think what you are describing is that it requires more *effort* on your part to steer and brake. If so, this is *by design* as it ultimately gives you more precise control. American cars, which you are apparently used to, are appalingly "overpowered" with regards to steering and brakes, which makes them far more difficult to finesse around a track.

I've driven mostly european cars my whole life except for this tC. Whenever I was misfortunate enough to drive an American make car, the squishiness of the steering wheel and brake pedal was nauseating.

 

my steering wheel turns pretty easy... i do agree that the brakes are a little weak, my 99 honda crv used to stop on a dime!(lol well close)

 

PIAA headlight bulbs are crap. The headlight bulbs are twice as long as stock, and don't correctly fit the housing.

And, they're dim compared to Silverstars.

Which, are fine if you don't drop, scratch, or touch the glass when you're installing them. Although it may be quality control too, I've had Silverstars go pretty fast in my past car, but I've had the same set of Silverstars in my tC for over a year now. Bulbs were one of the first things I changed on the car.

As far as brakes, you do have to brake a little early. If it bothers you that much, upgrade your pads and rotors. I plan on doing so.

But for now--when you brake, instead of stomping on the brake, try doing a few push and releases to slow the car down.

 

the brakes suck, but i like the steering feel. i hate that extremely light steering feel most sedans out now have.