* Tire pressure: Underinflated tires significantly reduce stability and increase susceptibility to wind. Check your tire pressure and inflate to the recommended PSI (found on a sticker inside the driver's side doorjamb or in your owner's manual).
* Tire wear/condition: Worn or damaged tires, especially with uneven wear, will have poor grip and make the vehicle more prone to being pushed around by wind. Inspect your tires for tread depth, uneven wear patterns, bulges, or cracks.
* Alignment issues: A misaligned steering system (toe, camber, caster) can cause the vehicle to pull to one side or make it highly sensitive to wind. Have your alignment checked by a professional.
* Suspension components: Worn or damaged suspension components (shocks, struts, ball joints, tie rod ends) can reduce stability and make the vehicle feel unstable at higher speeds. These should be inspected by a mechanic.
* Steering components: Problems with the steering rack, tie rods, or other steering components can lead to imprecise steering and increased sensitivity to wind. A mechanic should check these.
* Body damage: If the vehicle has sustained significant body damage (especially in the front end), it could affect its aerodynamics and make it more sensitive to wind.
* High crosswinds: While you mentioned "like a gust of wind," consistently difficult steering at 70 mph *even in calm conditions* points to a vehicle problem, not just the wind. However, unusually strong winds can still exacerbate existing issues.
What to do:
1. Check tire pressure and condition immediately. This is the easiest and cheapest thing to check.
2. If tire pressure and condition are fine, take your Chevy Tracker to a qualified mechanic for a thorough inspection of the steering, suspension, and alignment. Explain the issue clearly – that it feels like strong gusts of wind are pushing the vehicle at 70 mph.
Driving a vehicle that feels unstable at highway speeds is dangerous. Don't delay getting it checked by a professional.
