UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hi all, I recently bought myself a 2010 Polo 1.6 TDI. Love the car, however I'm having an issue with the steering wheel...
To drive normally I have to turn the steering wheel to the right slightly, when the steering wheel is straightened the car veers to the left. I've had the tracking done but this didn't fix the issue. My mechanic switched the left and right front wheels which apparently made the car drive perfectly straight. He told me it's an issue with one of the tyres and not to bother replacing them as they still have lots of life in them. Does this sound correct?

I drive 100 miles a day for work, so a wonky steering wheel is really annoying me! If it really is an issue with the tyres I'd sooner have them replaced than live with it but wanted a second opinion. Would switching the front and rear wheels likely solve the issue? Or is there anything else I could try?

Thanks!

Take it to a VAG Specialist and get them to align your wheels.
Not just tracking but camber aswell. If the wheel is not perfect, you will find it can crab left or right.
If not then the steering wheel could be placed on wrong and what you think is straight actually is adding a tiny bit of left.

If its still in warranty, take it to VW

Absolutely worth checking out but I'd also add:

The camber on UK roads means that they are higher in the centre for rain run-off into the gutter, try it in a flat car park. My GTI appears to actively steer to the left slightly. You can see it when creeping forward in traffic that the wheel is trying to turn left. I think this is a safety precaution in-case you fall asleep at the wheel the car won't drift into oncoming traffic.

I may be wrong or imagined I've read it somewhere. Anyone able to back my theories up?