VDC...off?

halogodx · 10-04-2010, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexanderb

Does the 7AT also behave the same as a 6MT with VDC off i.e wheelspin etc? I've never had the guts to turn it off

I drive with the VDC on when i'm regular driving, has saved me from multiple spin outs....

I turn it off at the track or on empty roads to admire the power of the 370z.... I will warn you tho, start off slow and don't gun it your first time with the VDC off because its got enough power to make u go sideways all the way through 2nd gear...... I know because i did it my first time in mistake lol...... BUT IF YOU TURN IT OFF FOR REGULAR DRIVING PLEASE DON'T COME AND COMPLAIN AND LOOK FOR SYMPATHY WHEN YOU HIT SOMETHING......

m4a1mustang · 10-04-2010, 09:00 AM

Just be careful. The Z is a short wheelbase car with a fair amount of built in understeer, so when it starts to go it's usually going to go around quickly. You really need to be able to think ahead and predict how the car is going to react to your next control input.

Spearfish is right on. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to correct the car you need to be able to do it right away. If you find yourself chasing the steering you're cooked. Follow his advice and you'll be in good shape.

ClemsonWill · 10-04-2010, 09:06 AM

I just don't understand why you would want to turn vdc off on the street. I don't care how good a drive you are. Everyone makes mistakes. The car has a built in traction control to reduce your mistakes. Use it! It's not like you can't have a spirited drive with the VDC on.

Mt Tam I am · 10-04-2010, 09:33 AM

One reason to turn off the VDC is if you want to get to your destination quicker.
The VDC is a generic answer to your specific set of turns. I know where I want the car to go while the VDC thinks it knows where I want to go. Thus far it has never been correct. Using the steering wheel to control throttle output is such a bazar feeling on a sharp turn but I do not intend to become a master of this technique since Il simply turn off VDC.

TrackRat · 10-04-2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halogodx

I drive with the VDC on when i'm regular driving, has saved me from multiple spin outs....

You probably shouldn't EVER turn it off if you have had multiple near spin outs during regular driving... Sign yourself up for a BMW High Performance Driving Event and learn some car control so you can really enjoy that car.

LunaZ · 10-04-2010, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

2. VDC does not make going fast impossible...it just demands that a driver keeps the car balanced and smooth. I had the opportunity of doing hot laps in a 370Z with a professional driver during a track day. They had R-compounds on the car and he was driving like you wouldn't believe. When we pitted, I asked if he had VDC off and he had no idea what I was talking about. Looking at the dash, the VDC light wasn't illuminated (VDC was 'on' the whole time). He was able to drive so smoothly and with such balance that the car never even noticed. My Z has probably never lapped as fast as he was that day.

This validates my viewpoint I've expressed in other VDC threads that VDC on does not slow down a smooth driver.
Thank you.

CrownR426 · 10-04-2010, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImportConvert

Does VDC really kill the car that much? The only car I had with any kind of traction control were my two Trans Ams. It did nothing unless the tires spun, and even with 300rwhp/300rwtq, that didn't happen on good pavement even on hard 1-2 shifts. Do Z's have traction issues? I understand the springs in the rear are pretty stiff, so I figure maybe they are prone to being snappy on shifts?

Yes, a huge difference!

cossie1600 · 10-04-2010, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LunaZ

This validates my viewpoint I've expressed in other VDC threads that VDC on does not slow down a smooth driver.
Thank you.

My a$$. The VDC can kick on under moderate acceleration in a straight line. I had the VDC and ABLS kick on thanks to a moderate crosswind at 100mph. The VDC is intrusive and annoying on the Nissan, they need to learn from Porsche and BMW.

Have you ever driven on the track? You have to be smooth with the VDC on because the car can't move any other wise!

I don't remember the exact amount, but I was 5 sec + slower per lap at the track with the VDC on. It didn't just apply brakes, it even cut throttle!!!!

m4a1mustang · 10-04-2010, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

My a$$. The VDC can kick on under moderate acceleration in a straight line. I had the VDC and ABLS kick on thanks to a moderate crosswind at 100mph. The VDC is intrusive and annoying on the Nissan, they need to learn from Porsche and BMW and Ford.

Have you ever driven on the track? You have to be smooth with the VDC on because the car can't move any other wise!

I don't remember the exact amount, but I was 5 sec + slower per lap at the track with the VDC on. It didn't just apply brakes, it even cut throttle!!!!

Fixed.

ClemsonWill · 10-05-2010, 07:34 AM

Track or closed course = VDC off

Street = VDC on

Jeffblue · 10-05-2010, 10:24 AM

If you feel the need to turn off VDC because its interfering with your daily driving by kicking in all the time, then you are driving like an ass, and your idea of 'daily driving' is dangerous. You shouldn't be losing traction very often if you are driving safely and are conscious of other people on the road. If you have VDC off because you like to drift while you're driving to the grocery store, then you are a hazard to everyone on the road.

If you're finding yourself turning VDC off whilst daily driving, then get your cheap ass to the track or an autocross event and get it out of your system. Thats what it really comes down to. Its not like you don't want to take your car to a track. It's that you don't want to spend the money, so your cheap ass decides to be a hooligan on public roadways. the funny thing is, the fine you'd wind up with if you were to get pulled over is less than a track day would cost. However, if you kill someone, you're probably gonna wind up going to jail for vehicular manslaughter/negligence.

cossie1600 · 10-05-2010, 10:25 AM

in a car with good stability control, keep it on. the garbage on the z is so intrusive that it should never be left on.

spearfish25 · 10-05-2010, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

in a car with good stability control, keep it on. the garbage on the z is so intrusive that it should never be left on.

Be careful with which audience you make these recommendations. It's important to separate your opinion of VDC in how it relates to your own driving as compared to the driving capabilities of the general public. I certainly don't want to be on public roads with everyone having their traction/stability controls turned off.

Jeffblue · 10-05-2010, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

in a car with good stability control, keep it on. the garbage on the z is so intrusive that it should never be left on.

what 'garbage' are you talking about? my VDC does not interfere with any daily driving of mine. what is your idea of daily driving? you shouldn't be taking corners so quickly that your car loses traction, and you shouldn't be getting on the car so hard that it loses traction as part of daily driving

cossie1600 · 10-05-2010, 11:25 AM

try living on a steep hill, it will bug the living hell out of you

10-04-2010, 09:00 AM	#17 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Just be careful. The Z is a short wheelbase car with a fair amount of built in understeer, so when it starts to go it's usually going to go around quickly. You really need to be able to think ahead and predict how the car is going to react to your next control input. Spearfish is right on. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to correct the car you need to be able to do it right away. If you find yourself chasing the steering you're cooked. Follow his advice and you'll be in good shape. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

10-04-2010, 09:06 AM	#18 (permalink)
ClemsonWill A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 12,045 Drives: a Civic VP! Rep Power: 444	I just don't understand why you would want to turn vdc off on the street. I don't care how good a drive you are. Everyone makes mistakes. The car has a built in traction control to reduce your mistakes. Use it! It's not like you can't have a spirited drive with the VDC on. __________________ Slightly modded

10-04-2010, 09:33 AM	#19 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3842	One reason to turn off the VDC is if you want to get to your destination quicker. The VDC is a generic answer to your specific set of turns. I know where I want the car to go while the VDC thinks it knows where I want to go. Thus far it has never been correct. Using the steering wheel to control throttle output is such a bazar feeling on a sharp turn but I do not intend to become a master of this technique since Il simply turn off VDC. __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

10-05-2010, 07:34 AM	#25 (permalink)
ClemsonWill A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 12,045 Drives: a Civic VP! Rep Power: 444	Track or closed course = VDC off Street = VDC on __________________ Slightly modded

10-05-2010, 10:24 AM	#26 (permalink)
Jeffblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NY Age: 36 Posts: 9,192 Drives: Z32TT & 335xi Coupe Rep Power: 37	If you feel the need to turn off VDC because its interfering with your daily driving by kicking in all the time, then you are driving like an ass, and your idea of 'daily driving' is dangerous. You shouldn't be losing traction very often if you are driving safely and are conscious of other people on the road. If you have VDC off because you like to drift while you're driving to the grocery store, then you are a hazard to everyone on the road. If you're finding yourself turning VDC off whilst daily driving, then get your cheap ass to the track or an autocross event and get it out of your system. Thats what it really comes down to. Its not like you don't want to take your car to a track. It's that you don't want to spend the money, so your cheap ass decides to be a hooligan on public roadways. the funny thing is, the fine you'd wind up with if you were to get pulled over is less than a track day would cost. However, if you kill someone, you're probably gonna wind up going to jail for vehicular manslaughter/negligence. Last edited by Jeffblue; 10-05-2010 at 10:26 AM.

10-05-2010, 10:25 AM	#27 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 29	in a car with good stability control, keep it on. the garbage on the z is so intrusive that it should never be left on.

10-05-2010, 11:25 AM	#30 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 29	try living on a steep hill, it will bug the living hell out of you