Questions about VDC..
 

I have read so many threads of people turning VDC off and then wrecking their cars (mostly totaling them) that I have to ask... Why turn it off? What do you gain by not leaving this on?

its sometimes annoying IMO. kicks on when not needed. launching from a dig sucks with it on

You gain the ability to let the tail slide out, and you gain full control of the car, where as VDC is cutting throttle and can make it unpredictable. You can't run a decent 1/4 time or 0-60 or with VDC on and you can't peel out with it on. The Z is actually really good when the back brakes loose, its not a car thats out of control you can really get it back in line by letting off the throttle and steering, and I'm not a great driver at all

If you are stanced, you want the VDC the **** on tho when its raining!

Keep it off all the time.
Change your middle name to danger.
???
profit.

I turn it off when I go autocross racing. It slows me down if it's on. If you're drag racing you also want to turn it off so your tires can do what they do. Otherwise, I leave it on. There are some grim reminders in this forum from when people turn it off and merge on highways, etc. Not worth it, IMO.

edit: I just left this thread and the very next one underneath it is from yesterday... a VDC off accident

I turn it off when I am driving sporty, but make sure you don't go hard on the throttle mid turn unless you do want the tail to slide out. The only way to really learn how the Z drives is by having the back swing out a bit to see how it transitions into oversteer, of course only in a safe environment free of any lamp posts and whatnot!

Never had it on, I can't even make it out of my driveway without it kicking on due to my tires

i disagree, i can peel out just fine with VDC on XD

@OP VDC is there to protect you in case you get into a situation you cant handle, for street driving, i dont see why people are turning it off unless they are acting like ricers and are street racing >_>

for the track, i can understand turning it off, but then again the track is a more predictable environment then the streets are, imo leave VDC on when street driving, turn it off when tracking

That is pretty much what I was thinking... thanks for the info.

Shortly after I got my Z, I decided hit that little button to turn it off and see how the car responded without it. I approached the first stop sign, put the auto into manual mode, and took off. Started off spinning through first, and about the same moment I bumped the paddle to shift into second, the back end started coming around. At that point I decided that since this not a track car, it was probably best for me to leave it on to keep me out of trouble.

I only turn it off when it's bone dry and temps are above 50 degrees. It is intrusive, but it's probably saved my butt a few times without me even knowing it.

They wreck their cars because they don't know how to drive but they will never admit to that. It's easier to blame it on "VDC off" rather than take responsibility and admit it was their own stupidity or lack of driving skills. I leave mine off all the time unless it's raining cats ands dogs on the highway. The gain by leaving it off is that you control the car - not the computer.

VDC is a relatively new thing. Its a nice safety net for 90% of regular driving, but if you want to have a spirited drive, you should know how to handle the car without it on.

That said, I really wish that it were two mode. All-on >> stability-on / throttle-off >> All-off. The throttle cut is the most intrusive, it'd be nice to be able to turn that off, while leaving the stability control on. In other words, I feel comfortable controlling the rotation of the car with the throttle, but would still like the stability safety net if I hit a oil patch or wet leaves mid corner.

Those who can't drive, don't know vehicle dynamics or have driven FWD their whole life should leave it on.

Especially those that think they are the best driver in the world... Leave it on. I have been a performance driving instructor and as a result have little faith in the general publics driving ability. I nearly died in a CTS-V with a guy who assured me he could drive because he owns a corvette.

I hope in the near future that stability control systems will help us improve lap times.