What’s a car yaw rate sensor, and why should you care?
Had a few folks come in lately, asking what the yaw rate sensor is after seeing some light pop up on the dash, so here’s the lowdown. Yaw rate sensors – you’ll find these in most modern cars, whether it’s a Toyota Aqua, a Hyundai Santa Fe, or even a quirky Suzuki Swift Sport. Basically, the sensor figures out how much your vehicle’s turning or “rotating” as you go round a corner, swerve to dodge a pothole down Fifth Ave, or even just pull out onto SH3 during one of Hamilton’s classic downpours.
In simple terms, if your car starts sliding or tipping too much – say you grip it round a dodgy roundabout near Te Rapa straight after a thunderstorm – the yaw rate sensor picks this up and sends a message to the car’s computer. Then the car’s stability and traction controls hop in to save the day, adjusting brakes or engine power to help keep you out of the kerb or oncoming lane. If you want to get a bit nerdier, there’s a good write-up about yaw rate >.
Most times you’ll find the sensor tucked away near the ECU under your seat or the dashboard, though I’ve seen the odd Honda Accord Euro or Mazda Atenza stashing it closer to the fuses. They’re sturdy but, like anything, Kiwi conditions – a few Hamilton potholes, or all those muddy trips to Raglan – can still rattle them over time.
Signs your yaw rate sensor’s playing up
Less stability control – Here’s the thing, if you drive smooth, that sensor might hardly ever step in. But if it’s busted, the car can’t help keep you on the road when it’s slippery around Rototuna or you hit a slick patch climbing up towards Taupiri in the wet. Feels like the car’s wobblier or wants to tip a bit too much? Worth checking it.
Weird stability control behaviour – Had a BMW 118i in last week where the stability control was firing up at random. Client just popped down from Gordonton, said it happened every time she got off the motorway and braked a bit harder. Sometimes the system doesn’t even kick in when you want it. Feels inconsistent, a bit dodgy – classic yaw sensor drama.
Steering oddities – If your steering starts feeling twitchy, vibrating, or like it’s trying to make its own decisions, could be wrong info reaching the stability system. Had a Nissan Qashqai owner from Cambridge who nearly got yanked into the median on Ruakura Road when the car started braking by itself – faulty yaw sensor again.
Traction control warning light – That little skiddy car symbol pops on? Usually means an issue somewhere, and if the yaw rate sensor’s sending funny signals, your traction control system throws a wobbly. If that light keeps coming on (either on or off, no rhyme or reason), it’s worth a scan. You can read more about these warnings here: Traction control light diagnostics in Hamilton >
Check engine light comes on – A busted yaw sensor can trigger the check engine light too, especially in the likes of late model Mazda Demios or VW Golfs. If your car’s got decent diagnostics, it might even flash up a yaw-related code. Find out what else that check engine light could be: Engine light diagnostics in Hamilton >
Is it safe to drive with a dodgy yaw rate sensor?
If the sensor’s shot, best not to risk it. You can’t trust your stability and traction systems to help if the car suddenly loses grip – which happens a lot more than you’d think here, especially when those south Hamilton roundabouts get slick in winter, or the tar starts melting near Glenview in summer. Your ABS, traction, and stability might go all unpredictable, which – let’s be honest – is the last thing you want in city traffic or on open road runs out towards Tamahere.
Sorting yaw rate sensor replacement in Hamilton
Got a dodgy yaw warning, traction light, odd handling or just something not feeling right? Our team here at Grimmer Motors can suss it out for you. We’ve seen it all – from BMWs to SsangYong Korandos to the old faithful Subaru Outback – and we know how Kiwi conditions push your stability gear to its limits. Our techs are onto it with diagnostics and can swap out that yaw sensor sharpish if needed. Whether you’re coming in from Huntly or just round the corner in Hillcrest, give us a bell and we’ll help you stay safe on the road.