It's been over 100 degrees everyday for a week now in Kansas City and my car feels loose. The car feels bouncier, less nimble, and steering feels like crap. Could it be that everything (bushings, sway bars, springs, shocks, tires) become less rigid and more plyable when the heat hits such dramatic levels. Do any of you guys experience this?

Dave

 

If it is cold or the car as been sitting a couple days, the suspension seems tighter. I think it is mainly the shocks.

Matt P.

 

My car between summer and winter, are dramatic. It handles like a stock accord during the summer, and feels like it has a inline 4 cylinder. During the winter it feels really fast and powerfull, and handles real tightly. I can't wait to run my car this fall to see what numbers I can get. I have gotten 15.9s in 100 degree days.

 

Also, all your rubber suspension bushings are quite a bit softer in the heat. That combined with softer struts make for boat-like handling. I don't think the springs and sway bars change significantly enough in the heat to notice.

 

I know I'm crazy, but my car feels faster in the summer. It feels rough and less powerful in the winter (the Altima more than the Maxima though), but maybe that's just because the lubricants are more viscous and the clutch and shifter feel stiff. But handling definitely feels tighter in the winter when the struts and bushings and such are still cold.