Carsickness? Usual suspects?

[Voodooman]

A question on my mind recently before I send in my car for a thorough check at AD.

 

I am driving a 4-yr old 2.4L CM4 (Thai Accord), so the suspension is not the very soft type. In recent months, my family have been complaining of carsickness, especially for city trips lasting more than 20-30 minutes. There has been no noticable change in my driving style as far as I am aware.

 

I was wondering if the above could be an alignment or suspension problem. Or could it be due to poor/dirty air circulation in the cabin? I don't get carsick that easily so I don't feel it at all (besides I am usually the driver). I do feel that the ride is a little bit more bumpy at times but I attribute this to our more bumpy and twisty roads these days, ie. all the constant digging, diverting of traffic and uneven resurfacing of our city roads is a great mystery to me.

 

Need to pinpoint usual suspects, all comments and sharing of experience are welcomed.

[Kongkongwolf]

  On 5/17/2009 at 6:03 AM, Voodooman said:

A question on my mind recently before I send in my car for a thorough check at AD.

 

I am driving a 4-yr old 2.4L CM4 (Thai Accord), so the suspension is not the very soft type. In recent months, my family have been complaining of carsickness, especially for city trips lasting more than 20-30 minutes. There has been no noticable change in my driving style as far as I am aware.

 

I was wondering if the above could be an alignment or suspension problem. Or could it be due to poor/dirty air circulation in the cabin? I don't get carsick that easily so I don't feel it at all (besides I am usually the driver). I do feel that the ride is a little bit more bumpy at times but I attribute this to our more bumpy and twisty roads these days, ie. all the constant digging, diverting of traffic and uneven resurfacing of our city roads is a great mystery to me.

 

Need to pinpoint usual suspects, all comments and sharing of experience are welcomed.

CO2 leak check done?

 

[Voodooman]

A carbon monoxide detector check? I haven't done that? Thanks for highlighting, got to eliminate this possibility ASAP for safety reason.

[Fcw75]

Could it be shock absorbers worn out? It will lead to the care being more bumpy.

[Voodooman]

  On 5/17/2009 at 6:41 AM, Fcw75 said:

Could it be shock absorbers worn out? It will lead to the care being more bumpy.

 

That is the prime suspect, actually. It is also about retirement time for the shock absorbers (5 yr?). If it is true, it is shopping time for aftermarket shock absorbers. I was also wondering if it could have something to do with my close (read "physical") encounter with a side kerb 2 months ago. I just didn't think/feel the suspensions are misbehaving recently, hence I was looking for other possibilities.

 

[Amortifiedpenguin]

maybe the shocks are old and maybe your driving style is not exactly pleasant thereby magnifying it. just a simple question- does your car jerk back eveytime it comes to a halt? if it does its probably your braking skills need improvement. a bad craftsman blames his tools. a cheapo craftsman just uses what he is given till it falls apart.

 

If all else fails, just stock some plastic bags in the car.

[AmuroRay81]

IMHO, I think is the weather. I drive around quite often becoz in the sales line. Recently keep feeling dizzy n very tired, signs of heat stroke.

 

Ask your family to drink more water and walk in the shade.

[Voodooman]

Well, I am usually first off the traffic lights (I don't understand why drivers here take so long to move off) but my brake pads usually last a reasonable period of time. I am not a jerky braker, I am pretty sure of that, I usually slow down sufficiently to come to a gentle stop. The thing is I have never had such persistent and frequent complaints before. But you could be right, a slightly more aggressively driving style plus near retirement age absorbers could be the twin suspects.

 

We are not at the plastic bag thingy yet, just at the sweet/gum level.

Edited May 17, 2009 by Voodooman

[Voodooman]

  On 5/17/2009 at 7:43 AM, AmuroRay81 said:

IMHO, I think is the weather. I drive around quite often becoz in the sales line. Recently keep feeling dizzy n very tired, signs of heat stroke.

 

Ask your family to drink more water and walk in the shade.

 

The weather is a killer in recent months, it is possible.

 

Could also be due to wifey's and son's recent flu bout that is playing tricks on the ear-drum thingy but over a 2 months period, my hypothesis is weak, I think.

 

Maybe should test drive the family with my dad's Toyota to check if it is the passenger or the car?

[Drive_carcar]

Not sure if you conisdered this... the fragrance used inside car can also be an issue.

 

Ideally it should not be too overpowering, as different people are allegic to different smells.

[Voodooman]

  On 5/17/2009 at 11:57 AM, Drive_carcar said:

Not sure if you conisdered this... the fragrance used inside car can also be an issue.

 

Ideally it should not be too overpowering, as different people are allegic to different smells.

 

No fragrance in my vehicle these days since it soured my aircon many years ago.

 

I have ruled out CO2 leakage as I don't feel dizzy at all, it should affect everyone if it is a case of CO2 contamination. Anyway will send in my vehicle for a check this coming week.

 

[Eastsidex]

Bro, just to mention , how old is your tyres? Usually old tyres hardens and less absorb the bumps and stuff on the floor. if your tyres is old and have not change, u might consider looking into it.

[Watwheels]

If your suspension gone case, you can actually test it by pushing down hard on your boot and let go. If the suspension is good the "bouncing" frquency should be low and recover back to position very fast.

[Voodooman]

Hi everyone,

 

Just an update. After having my driving skills called into question and having pinpoint the shock absorbers as the prime suspect, we think we have the culprit. The absorbers were fine according to the AD, still some life in them actually. I did wheel alignment as well and the car definitely drives better thereafter.

 

Our problem were solved right after the installation of an air ioniser. It is the poor air quality in the car that is causing the nausea!

 

Disclaimer: I don't sell ionsier nor have any commercial interest in the product.