Can My Steering Be "Tuned"?

"DasWauto" (DasWauto) 11/06/2014 at 22:04 • Filed to: Volkswagen

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More and more, systems in cars these days are becoming controlled by computers. Perhaps unfortunately, that includes the steering in my Golf, which is electronically assisted instead of having a typical hydraulic system. While the steering is direct and has decent feel, I'd like more feedback through the steering wheel and would prefer a bit more steering effort - it's too light. This leads to my question, can an electronically assisted steering system be tuned by the aftermarket, similar to a tune for the engine improving performance?

A poorly framed picture of my interior for your time, it's the most relevant one I could find.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > DasWauto 11/06/2014 at 22:06

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You might be able to add resistors to the circuit.

DasWauto > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 11/06/2014 at 22:09

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Hah, I actually thought about doing that but I figured hacking into the wiring harness of a brand new car might be a bad idea.

Something, something, VAG, electronics, reliability... etc.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > DasWauto 11/06/2014 at 22:10

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True, it's best not to hack into a new VAG. Gently easing it in is preferable.

DasWauto > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 11/06/2014 at 22:14

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Jayhawk Jake > DasWauto 11/06/2014 at 22:17

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I've read that some people with Sonics have gone to dealers and had the RS power steering software flashed.

So perhaps?

Vicente Esteve > DasWauto 11/06/2014 at 22:19

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We have exactly the same interior.

What color is yours?

DasWauto > Jayhawk Jake 11/06/2014 at 22:20

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Awesome, there is hope. I wonder if the GTI uses the same rack, how much better the steering feel in that car is and if I can have it.

Jayhawk Jake > DasWauto 11/06/2014 at 22:23

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Maybe, probably quite a bit, and perhaps.

If it's the same rack and same computer surely it can be programmed somehow to be similar.

DasWauto > Vicente Esteve 11/06/2014 at 22:23

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Tungsten silver metallic. :D

DasWauto > Jayhawk Jake 11/06/2014 at 22:26

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That's what I'm thinking as well. I think I'll pop by the dealer the next time I'm around and ask the parts/service people. I'll bug them for a drive in a GTI as well.

All Motor Is Best Motor > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 11/06/2014 at 22:49

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Vicente Esteve > DasWauto 11/07/2014 at 08:02

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Nice! I do prefer the lack of amber in the headlights though

twochevrons > DasWauto 11/07/2014 at 08:54

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I think I remember reading a forum post about some way that VCDS/VAGCOM could be used to change the amount of steering assistance. It only talked about the Mk5, nothing about the Mk6 or Mk7, though – I'd be quite interested in doing it to my wife's Mk6 Golf if it's possible (and if she lets me).

DasWauto > Vicente Esteve 11/07/2014 at 09:02

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I don't mind it too much but I definitely need bigger wheels though. The 15s I have will become the winter wheels when I get winter tires and then I'll pick up some 17s for the rest of the year.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > DasWauto 11/07/2014 at 12:14

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Mine is electro-hydraulic, with a few settings for the steering, and the guy who did my engine tune offered an option to reduce assist (add more weight). I took him up on it, and love it. It's only really heavy in sport mode (need some effort to turn corners in a parking garage at slow speed) but it feels great at the track or on a twisty back road.

DasWauto > twochevrons 11/07/2014 at 12:26

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Googling 'vcds steering assist' brought up many relevant threads, so thank you very much. I'm gonna ask the dealer if they're willing to change the setting (in one of the things I read it was mentioned that some dealers would do this), otherwise I'll have to buy a vcds device/software and do it myself.

Vicente Esteve > DasWauto 11/07/2014 at 12:29

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17s look pretty much perfect. Its not too big to be an issue and they look great.

twochevrons > DasWauto 11/07/2014 at 12:32

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From the sounds of things, VCDS is an incredibly useful thing to have if you're going to make modifications. There are a bunch of other features that you can change the behaviour of, and if you start mixing and matching parts, you'll need it to enable the extra features anyway. I haven't shelled out for one yet, but it's definitely on my wishlist.

DasWauto > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 11/07/2014 at 12:32

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Excellent, this and Halkyardo's tip bode well for my hopes. I would love less assist. It's featherlight at parking lot speeds right now and while it does build up a good bit at higher speeds, I would still prefer a weightier wheel.