Goran_

Hi all,

I became a first time Audi user (A6 C6 Avant 2009 2.0 TDI), and I have a question about the functionality of steering wheel, that I find a bit strange.

Let me give an example. I am driving a car, and need to turn right on the crossroad. After I have turned right, in order for my wheel to return into the normal (straight) position, I need to return it manually. What I was used to (non Audi cars) is that if you release the wheel after you have made a turn, it will automatically return to straight (normal) position.

So, is it normal for this type of car to be required to return the wheel manually to straight position, after you make a turn?

Thanks.

enoch861

Completely normal.
The C6 has electronic steering compared to hydraulic that you're used to.
Hydraulic typically snaps to center after you've turned and in turn you get heavier steering. Electronic doesn't really snap but in turn you get adjustable steering feel.

Goran_

Thanks for clearing it up.

drooskii

One of the first things I noticed as well.

mikerouze

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I am under the impression the C6 has hydraulic power steering. That being said, my steering wheel does the same thing.

KevinGary

The C6 does have hydraulic steering, not electric.

SchwarzS6

The force which returns the wheel to center is determined by the steering geometry. See this link

Suspension and Steering, Page 3 of 4

The type amount of assist can mute the amount of feedback you feel. More assist = less feedback. Remember that when you are going slow in an A6 the steering boost increases to make parking easier, this significantly reduces the self centering feeling but means you can park the car with one finger. Some people do not like this feeling and have been known to unplug the "servotronic" system so that the extra boost does not kick in making your Audi feel more like a Honda. I am not sure this trick will work on newer cars since the computer can detect just about anything and will report a fault, probably in a very annoying manner.

royclark

Thanks for this, very interesting reading.

enoch861

I meant electronically boosted or maybe I should have said electromechanical. Not sure why I said fully electric haha.
Irregardless, for more reading about how it works just google Servotronic.
I don't think the C6 has active return to center. And if it does, it's really weak. I believe on newer Audi and VW models, they do have active return to center which works normally and snaps the steering wheel back. But I've learned to live with it.

occhis

So how does one unplug the servotronic system?