is the salesman lying to me?

Question

I took a 2004 C70 for a test drive today. When I took my hands off the steering wheel, the car pulled to the right. When I told the salesman about it, he said it was a European safety feature. Can this possibly be true? I'm in the US where we drive on the right side of the road :)

Andy · Accepted Answer

Hi "ddog",Where vehicles drive on the left, e.g U.K. but not continental Europe, cars may be set up to counteract the camber of the road which might lead to something like you experienced when such a car is driven on a U.S. spec. road.However I'd take your salesman's story with the proverbial dose of salt. There are many other reasons for a four year old car pulling to the right. and Volvos imported by Volvo into the U.S wouldn't fit the salesman's description.Have them fix the steering and test drive it again,................. if you're still interested.Good Luck.Andy I. (nothing but Volvos since '58):I took a 2004 C70 for a test drive today. When I took my hands off the: steering wheel, the car: pulled to the right. When I told the salesman about it, he said it was: a European safety feature.: Can this possibly be true? I'm in the US where we drive on the right: side of the road :):

Bob (but not THAT Bob) · Answer

If a car salesman's lips are moving, he's lying.

franz47 · Answer

"ddog"  schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:       Never heard or read about inbuilt assymmetry in wheel suspensions in European cars making them pull to the right.If it pulls to the right:1) road surfaces are usually not flat but lower at the edges so water moves away. On a non-horizontal surface the car moves freely following gravity to the side where the surface is lower. So on a small road you might feel the pulling and it is ok.2) If the right tire is underinflated, the car will also pull to the right.3) On a wide road the slope should be very small, so pulling should not be felt.I would not believe the salesman if he cannot support his statement with any kind of reliable source and keep my finger off this car.RegardsViktor, Europe

~^ beancounter ~^ · Answer

yes, he is a lyer...why would the carpull to the right...into oncommigtraffic??...make sure you advise hisboss what a "great salesman" he hasunder his wing....

volvo480 · Answer

Is this at a Volvo dealer, if so contact Volvo Gothenborg, the man is a lyer.Robert, The NetherlandsVolvo 480, 850, V70-I,V70-II, XC90

Roadie · Answer

That is utter nonsense.  Run from that salesman and his car.  Unlessyou were on a steeply crowned road or accelerating hard the wheelshould stay centered.

tlr1000 · Answer

Wow. I would have laughed in that guys face and then went to anotherdealer.

JRE · Answer

Hard to say.  What he said is wrong, though.  On most roads, the wheel alignment should make the car go mostly straight hands-off.JRE

franz47 · Answer

"~^ beancounter ~^"  schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:       ddog is living in the US. Going right would make him end up in the ditch of the road.Viktor

~^ beancounter ~^ · Answer

Newsbeitragnews:       oh...well...never mind....

Dlee · Answer

I would find a new salesman or a new dealer. Cars are supposed to go straight when your hands are off the wheel. This is assuming there is now crown in the road or ruts for the car to follow. Pulling to the right may be due to various problems, low air pressure in the front right tire, need for alignment (probably),steering rack needs work, etc. Most probably needs alignment, but you won't know until you get it fixed. HTH

is the salesman lying to me?

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