VLSD/ABLS fun

[dant1127]

Newbie sports car question

I've had a few instances where I've turned off VDC, intentionally hit it hard, and had the rear end correct itself without the Slip light flashing.

Sometimes I notice a fairly "rough," mechanical noise and feel (usually on wet/loose gravel roads), and a bit of fighting between the wheels; slip-noise-grip one tire, followed by slip-noise-grip on the other, back and forth a couple times depending in how long I keep the gas pedal down. Reminds me of the Wrangler I used to drive with a mechanical LSD, except the Jeep would just go slide-one-way-slip-noise-grip-slide the other (fun, but useless/dangerous on-road.)

Other times it's a pretty smooth and super-fast "one-wheel-spins-oshittorque:-D!! (Last car was an '04 xB, excuse the enthusiasm). Dry roads, almost always. Short bursts.

I would assume the rougher stuff is the ABLS pulsating the brakes, and the smoother stuff is the VLSD? Do VLSD-equipped models even use ABLS? Maybe I'm a little nuts? Professional opinions?

[DOOMMONKEY777]

In order to enjoy this ride, u need to pull the VDC fuse in order to completely turn it off, cuz the button on the left only turns it off halfway.

I believe theres DIY on this site how to do it. GL and be careful.

[JWillis72]

There is a yaw sensor under the cup holder that the button doesn't turn off.

[dant1127]

I don't want to turn the system off, since all of my driving is on-road. It's pretty awesome on wet roads, IMO.

[SouthArk370Z]

As DOOMMONKEY777 and JWillis72 said, the VDC button doesn't turn off all the systems and you also need to disable the yaw sensor. You can use a switch to turn the yaw sensor on/off. There are several DIYs on this site. If the site search doesn't work for you, try Google (or one of the other major web search engines) and add "site:the370z.com" to your search string.

[dant1127]

I never asked how to turn the systems off.

[JARblue]

Originally Posted by dant1127

Do VLSD-equipped models even use ABLS?

Yes. The slip light on your instrument panel will flash when ABLS is triggered (basically whenever the car detects wheel spin). If I'm not mistaken this is the case in every 370Z model (except maybe the Nismo RC model?)

[dant1127]

Safe to assume nothing flashes for VLSD, since it isn't computer controlled?

[JARblue]

Originally Posted by dant1127

Safe to assume nothing flashes for VLSD, since it isn't computer controlled?

Correct. There is no light indicator for the VLSD because it just works the way it's supposed to. There is no system that triggers the VLSD. It doesn't really kick it - it continually adjusts as needed.

[dant1127]

Okay, I think that answers my question then! The rought stuff is ABLS fighting the wet roads under hard acceleration.

Looks like I'm in the minority... I like the traction nannies! VDC can be a bit obtrusive at times, but there's a kill switch for that.

Of course, I wouldn't know what to do with my car on a track, purely a daily driver.

[TerribleONE]

Never... and I mean NEVER turn VDC off...

[dant1127]

Rumor has it the rear end explodes, the angel of death shows up in your passenger seat, and the car bursts into flames if you hit over 45 with VDC off. My '87 Z just fishtailed super easy....

My next post will be titled "I Turned Off VDC But..."

[Read T]

Why does everyone on this forum say never turn off VDC? The first thing I do every time I start my car is turn it off. I've never had any problems, I DD and track my car. I just am smart enough not to floor it in the middle of a turn in the rain.

[dant1127]

Originally Posted by Read T

Why does everyone on this forum say never turn off VDC? The first thing I do every time I start my car is turn it off. I've never had any problems, I DD and track my car. I just am smart enough not to floor it in the middle of a turn in the rain.

Lol I think it's just turned into a joke more than anything.

[JARblue]

I turn off VDC daily. It's cuts power dangerously for me sometimes. When I'm pulling out of my neighborhood onto a 60 mph road, I usually err on the side of higher RPMs (towards wheel spin) than lower RPMs (towards engine bog). If VDC is on and I'm a little rambunctious with the throttle, it will cut my throttle and brake when I'm at a critical stage of acceleration. With VDC off, I can recognize and control the wheel spin on my own by backing off the throttle slightly while still accelerating to reach speed. Its not difficult. Its take a little practice, of course, but anyone should be able to learn with practice.