Faster with VCD off?

spearfish25 · 04-17-2009, 04:34 PM

I see VDC this way now. It's a nice safety factor, especially for those times when you're not focused on your driving. For example, if you're cruising on the highway, why not keep it on in the event you have to avoid an accident or hit a patch of ice (just hypotheticals)? Those are cases where you'd probably like any help you can get in keeping your car stable and moving in the direction of your liking. If I'm just going for groceries, I'd rather have VDC on my side if I get surprised during a situation where stability and control are an issue.

Conversely, those times when you want to be in control or drive on the edge when you're focused on doing so, turn it off. Just be thankful we have a button to choose whether it's on or off.

chubbs · 04-17-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

...If I'm just going for groceries, I'd rather have VDC on my side if I get surprised during a situation where stability and control are an issue....

You've just pinpointed the problem with VDC. People ASSUME and THINK that VDC will be 'on my side' in a situation where 'stability and control are an issue', but in my experience this isn't always the case. I had an experience where VDC took control out of my hands, caused the rear of my car to fishtail like crazy and nearly made me smash into the side of a bus.

That single incident was the main reason for me habitually turning it off - firstly it can lead to complacency (you think VDC will get you out of a situation, when in fact it won't) and secondly I'd rather try to get the car back under control myself, in a situation like that.

If you're going to leave VDC switched on, for godsake don't rely on it being 'on my side', or you could end up 'on YOUR side'.

ChrisSlicks · 04-17-2009, 05:06 PM

It did save my *** one time in my G35.

It was a nice sunny winter day, snow was mostly melted. I was throwing the car through some back country roads at a good clip when I hit a small patch of ice mid corner. The VDC acted instantly, reacting quicker than I possibly could of and kept the car straight and level. I have quick reactions but I really don't know how well I would have faired on that one.

04-17-2009, 04:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1858	I see VDC this way now. It's a nice safety factor, especially for those times when you're not focused on your driving. For example, if you're cruising on the highway, why not keep it on in the event you have to avoid an accident or hit a patch of ice (just hypotheticals)? Those are cases where you'd probably like any help you can get in keeping your car stable and moving in the direction of your liking. If I'm just going for groceries, I'd rather have VDC on my side if I get surprised during a situation where stability and control are an issue. Conversely, those times when you want to be in control or drive on the edge when you're focused on doing so, turn it off. Just be thankful we have a button to choose whether it's on or off.

04-17-2009, 05:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 655	It did save my *** one time in my G35. It was a nice sunny winter day, snow was mostly melted. I was throwing the car through some back country roads at a good clip when I hit a small patch of ice mid corner. The VDC acted instantly, reacting quicker than I possibly could of and kept the car straight and level. I have quick reactions but I really don't know how well I would have faired on that one.