Tackling steering issues and more

I purchased a Maruti Suzuki Ignis Zeta AGS in March 2017 and am happy with the vehicle. It has also clocked over 24,500km. However, the steering does not return to the centre once you make a turn. As the vehicle is getting older, the problem has increased and I find it to be dangerous. Is this a common issue and can it be rectified?

S Raajkumar Kalingarayar, Coimbatore

The self-centering problem is not unique to your Ignis, but is a common issue in the first-generation version of the hatchback, owing to the design of the car’s steering geometry. The steering wheel does not automatically return to its straight position after making a U-turn, thereby demanding manual assistance from the driver. The solution lies in making alterations to the car’s caster angle as well as assistance from the power steering motor.

Though Maruti Suzuki India has not categorised this as a steering issue, and only identified it as general steering behaviour, the company has resolved it to a great extent in the facelifted version launched in 2020.

Therefore, it would be advisable to check with a Maruti Suzuki service centre if the relevant parts can be replaced from the updated model to your car with making the necessary mechanical tweaks to improve the steering’s behaviour.

I have a Skoda Superb 1.8 TSI and the increasing petrol rates have made it expensive to drive. I have no plans of selling it and am contemplating fitting a CNG kit. Should I go ahead? If yes, what are the things to keep in mind?

Ranveer, Ghaziabad