SE Steering Ratio

[Thirty-Nine]

I know the Yaris SE has a faster steering ratio than non-SE models. Does the SE achieve this by offering a different pinion or steering rack?

Just wondering what it'd take to add the faster steering to a non SE.

Additionally, what is the ratio on the SE vs non SE?

[nookandcrannycar]

I just know that I would prefer a 5-door 3rd Gen 5-speed over a 3-door 3rd Gen 5-speed, but I'm SOL on that because I'm not willing to give up the tighter turning circle of a non-SE.

[CTScott]

SE:
Steering Ratio - 46.17
Lock to Lock Turns - 2.3
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb - 36.7 ft

LE:
Steering Ratio - 49.93
Lock to Lock Turns - 3.0
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb - 30.8 ft

It is achieved with different ratios in the rack. There is a different part number for the two, so you could swap an SE into an non-SE.

[nookandcrannycar]

SE:
Steering Ratio - 46.17
Lock to Lock Turns - 2.3
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb - 36.7 ft

LE:
Steering Ratio - 49.93
Lock to Lock Turns - 3.0
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb - 30.8 ft

It is achieved with different ratios in the rack. There is a different part number for the two, so you could swap an SE into an non-SE.

Could the opposite be done (LE rack into an SE) ? If so, would the tires and wheels also have to be changed to LE OEM tires and wheels to achieve the same turning diameter as the LE ? Would doing the rack swap invalidate the warranty on all parts touched in order to make the swap?

[CTScott]

Could the opposite be done (LE rack into an SE) ? If so, would the tires and wheels also have to be changed to LE OEM tires and wheels to achieve the same turning diameter as the LE ? Would doing the rack swap invalidate the warranty on all parts touched in order to make the swap?

Yes - You could go the other way. I do believe that you would need the narrow tires otherwise you would probably scrape on full lock. For warranty I would expect them to give you a hard time on anything that was touched to do the install.

[Thirty-Nine]

SE:
Steering Ratio - 46.17
Lock to Lock Turns - 2.3
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb - 36.7 ft

LE:
Steering Ratio - 49.93
Lock to Lock Turns - 3.0
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb - 30.8 ft

It is achieved with different ratios in the rack. There is a different part number for the two, so you could swap an SE into an non-SE.

Those steering ratios can't be right. The 2015 Honda Fit steering ratio is 14.1. The Nissan Versa is 16.8. A Ford F-150 has a 20.0:1 ratio.

EDIT: It does say those ratios even on Toyota's press material, but it cannot be right. My Suzuki Sidekick has a steering ratio of 19.4:1 and I assure you its steering is MUCH slower. Plus, the previous-gen Yaris has a 19.7:1 ratio.

[nookandcrannycar]

Yes - You could go the other way. I do believe that you would need the narrow tires otherwise you would probably scrape on full lock. For warranty I would expect them to give you a hard time on anything that was touched to do the install.

Thanks :thumbsup:.

[Jason@SportsCar]

Those steering ratios can't be right. The 2015 Honda Fit steering ratio is 14.1. The Nissan Versa is 16.8. A Ford F-150 has a 20.0:1 ratio.

EDIT: It does say those ratios even on Toyota's press material, but it cannot be right. My Suzuki Sidekick has a steering ratio of 19.4:1 and I assure you its steering is MUCH slower. Plus, the previous-gen Yaris has a 19.7:1 ratio.

The numbers CT posted are the degrees of steering angle at the wheel each trim level has, not the actual ratio. Toyota math. :laugh:

Working it out based on number of turns and degrees of available wheel angle it should be 18.19 for the SE and 21.6 for the rest.

[Thirty-Nine]

The numbers CT posted are the degrees of steering angle at the wheel each trim level has, not the actual ratio. Toyota math. :laugh:

Working it out based on number of turns and degrees of available wheel angle it should be 18.19 for the SE and 21.6 for the rest.

Gotcha. Thanks! That makes more sense.

[Jason@SportsCar]

My math was off a bit, I think I had some part of the equation wrong. :laugh:

Word from Toyota is 14.3 for the standard cars, 13.2 for the SE.