Traction Control?
 

Hi guys,

So I got my 7AT 370Z about a year and a half ago and the previous owner had put the cheapest hardest rubber he could possibly buy on all four corners of the car.

Now the back had always been a bit slippy, but nothing bad. Car always launched hard with TC on, but spun right through to third with TC off. In the rain it was like ice skating.

Finally, and after a cat-back upgrade (priorities), I decided to put a pair of Kumho PS91 275/35/19 on the back. Right away I was disappointed as the damn things picked up anything and everything and flung it into the wheel well. What's more, the car felt sluggish. Like it was having trouble getting going. I tried a few hard launches and the car was definitely slower getting started. **** what I have done? The new tires are a bit heavier. **** **** ****

So I got thinking, what if it's the traction control getting confused now? I normally always have it on, and hard launches are almost impossible without it.

So I took the car to a nice quiet place, stopped, turned the TC off, then stomped on the loud peddle. The car sprung forward quite well with no drama, no tire noise, no spin. It felt fast (faster than the old tires? I'm not sure), but when it clicked into second my arse got put into the back of my seat like I haven't felt before.

I drove it around quite hard for a while and found it was impossible to get any slip on tarmac.

Is this normal? Do I need to turn the TC off now to enjoy my car?

Do any lights light up on your dash when the VDC is on?

I find that the VDC can be really annoying even for commuting since it's so freaking sensitive. With VDC on, your throttle will cut off any time it thinks you are about to lose traction. I find it a lot more enjoyable to drive having VDC disabled so I just made a habit to turn it off when I start my car. I only leave it on now when there is heavy rain.

It's a total nanny on the Z, more than any other car I've driven. I had the same realization a few months into ownership. It's really obvious when you turn it off that it does more than just when the VDC light blinks. I'd imagine a lot of owners don't know just how fast their car can be. It's also a lot easier to get into trouble with it off, the Z is very much a drivers car.

Congrats, your car just got a lot more fun.

With the old tires, and VDC turned on, the light would flash whenever there was the slightest slip in the back. Which would happen frequently if I gunned it in a high gear.

With the new tires I can't make the light flash at all, even if I stomp on the peddle from first gear.

if you have grippy tires its pretty damn hard to break traction in the dry.. we don't have enough power :P

Good to know. I thought it was just me.

What size tyres are on the front. You say 275/35R19 on the rear but not what the fronts are. If the fronts are an incompatible size, VDC is going to have a fit and activate the nannies that kill your enjoyment. VDC will tolerate <3% diameter difference but not more.

I live in ohio so even in summer it's not that hot. I brought my z 6MT from miami and it has firehawk summer tires. In my opinion they suck when it's less than 70 degrees out. I spin tires in 2nd gear, and also in first gear at wot when i get to about 5,000rpm in under 70 degree weather. I plan to put on all season pirellis. Hopefully they'll have better grip.

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since day 1 my starting process is hit the start button, hit VDC off, and drive the car.

VDC only has ever been on in heavy rain since the RE-11's dont like heavy rain at all.

The front is still the shitty Chinese brand 245/40/19. I know, I know, they will be changed very soon for the PS91 in that size.

Now I realise the stark difference a proper set of tires can make I can't imagine what the steering will be like.

I did some more testing last night and found I can hold the brake and launch with heaps of RPM's loaded. Definitely needs a launch control feature.

I'm excited about the performance improvements I've unlocked.