VDC...off?
 

When you turn VDC off in the Z, is it hard to control? Does it have nasty tendancies to whip the rear to one side or the other on the 2-3 shift or something?

I know the "VDC off" thing is a joke regarding the GT-R, but have seen it talked about a lot. Joke, or serious?

It is the same just dont do anything stupid with the car until you fully understand the dynamics of it...

I DD with it off, it just annoys me, what can i say. With that being said it also took me a while to understand what the car will let you get away with. If you push to hard odds are you will spin/wreck, so just figure out the car and go from there.

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 :confused:

I have always driven RWD V8 cars (until recently). The only trouble I ever had was in the rain. Is the 370Z rotation-happy? My 5.0 would burn them off in the first 3 gears, but it did so in a straight line. My last 2 F-bodies kicked about 1 foot to the left, and then pulled. You just had to twitch the wheel with the kick and you were fine. It was instinctive. 370Z similar?

I am not sure what the exact difference would be other then some delay, I dont have the AT, so just shut it off dont drive like as idiot. if you traction light comes on when your driving and you know why it went off then go ahead try it, IF YOU DONT KNOW WHY THEN LEAVE IT ON, the car is not going to snap around if you drive within your own personal limits of the car which ever fills the skill set at the lowest pick just to get used to it.

I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU GET INTO A WRECK, DRIVE RECKLESS, ENDANGER OF ANY LIVES...ETC IF YOU **** UP IT IS ON YOU

I really don't understand why one would want to turn VDC off other than racing on a track, it really baffles me.

Anyway, please post some pix of your crashed Z with VDC off (that's if you survived the crash of course), we sure love seeing those.

I don't understand why you would turn it off, either, but it's not like you're driving a Viper. A stock 370 is well within most people's ability to man-handle. The nanny is just nice when unexpected hazards present themselves.

OMG...
If you have not been driving without VDC you do not know the true power of the Z. LOL!
I do not recommend you doing this near others because you probably do not know how to control your car once u get fish tailing.
But just know that if you don not catch yourself you are done.
If you are drag racing you always take it off.
:driving:

With VDC on I agree, but with it off it's another matter. :stirthepot:.

VDC is a bit like wearing a rubber whilst having sex with a new partner, it's less fun for sure but it's also much less risky. Take it off and you'll have one heck of a good time but you might suffer the consequences. Is it worth it? You're better off getting to know your partner before moving to the next step. :tiphat:

Anyway, this subject has been flogged to death in previous posts, I don't think I'll contribute anything worthwhile.

Very good analogy! Rep for you! :tup:

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?

This subject has been discussed in numerous threads. Please use the advance google search, and try vdc.
Thank You. :tiphat:

I hope you have more faith in your own driving skills than having faith in "VDC on will ALWAYS save my a$$ no matter how reckless I drive." I'm not saying you're a reckless driver but it's hard to refrain from spirited driving once in awhile with a sports car. If one knows how to drive to begin with, then it doesn't matter whether VDC is on or off.

Couldn't of been said better +1

1. Don't turn off VDC and 'test the waters' unless you are on a track, doing an AutoX, or in a deserted parking lot. While everyone THINKS they have quick hands and can catch a slide, they can't until they've practiced.
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.
3. VDC 'off' is not unmanageable but you have to have quick hands to catch slides. If the rear end starts to rotate and you sit there saying "hmmm, feels like the back end is sliding. I wonder how far it will slide. I wonder if I should give a little opposite lock. Ok, here is a little opposite lock. Oh $hit, the back end is still sliding and even a bit faster now. I'll try some more opposite lock and maybe lift off the gas too (a bad idea)..."...YOU'RE COOKED.

I've found that I have very quick hands during an AutoX event because I'm expecting slides and my senses are heightened. However, if the rear end gets loose any other time, I'm not nearly as quick. A racing technique book I read recently suggested that top drivers prefer to induce a bit of slide because they will then both know when it's happening and be more prepared to deal with it (no surprise factor).

Short answer, keep VDC on unless you're on the track, in an empty parking lot, or doing an AutoX.

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......

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Yes, a huge difference! :driving:

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!!!!

Fixed. ;)

Track or closed course = VDC off

Street = VDC on

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.

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.

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

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

the one thing i don't like about vdc is how intrusive it is when accelerating in a straight line with low traction. for example a dusty road or when it's snowing. in these situations a bit of wheel spin is ok for the sake of acceleration. the vdc however becomes VERY intrusive and almost cuts off all throttle and you end up standing there going nowhere quickly. i actually prefer to turn off vdc and modulate the throttle a bit until i build up some speed and then turn it back on again.

There should be three modes: On, sport, and off.

Let's just say I was shocked when I found out how advanced the Ford stability and traction control systems are when compared to the Z.

If you've driven RWD before and have spun out. You can handle it without VDC.. All VDC is, is just traction control and a little bit of stability control.

It has saved my life one time and nearly killed me a couple times.. I rarely drive with it on.. The time it saved my life was when I forgot to turn it off, I lost traction and nearly slid off a cliff but VDC kicked in and corrected things with fuel cut and braking.

It nearly killed me when I was trying to make a left turn on a busy street after it had rained a couple hours before.. The pavement was wet, and there was cars coming non stop both ways.. I had been sitting there for a couple minutes and I came to the conclusion that I'd have to take off quick and edge between oncoming cars onto the yellow lane.. I gave it 3/4 throttle on a bone stock car with brand new goodyear tires.. Car takes off but due to the wet pavement there was little slippage and VDC kicked in and bogged down the car completely.. I got stopped right in the middle of the road with cars very close and oncoming.. I then floored it then finally the car kicked back in and took off.. People were honking like crazy at me.. This happened twice on different occasions.

Me personally, I never ever drive with VDC on unless I forget.. Sometimes I looked at my guage cluster and I see the "VDC off" light and I don't even remember shutting it off or how fast I turned it off.. Its just automatic for me, as soon as the car starts I hit that button.

eh, I've actually made it into a little bit of a game..l. I'm trying to go as fast as possible around corners without it kicking in. You get a feel for the "step" nature of it. If you're good to it, it will reward you with only slight intervention to keep things tidy. If you hoon with it, it will shut you down real quick.

:iagree:

:iagree:

i don't need to turn it off to know the car can get crappy on me in a heartbeat. just like i don't need to fire my pistol to prove it's loaded.

Agree with RCZ. The very early stages of VDC engagement are hardly noticeable. I've come out of plenty of turns on the track where it felt perfect, and then I realize that the VDC light is blinking. We joke that the little Japanese men helped with the turn. The times when I've really screwed up on track, VDC shuts the Z down with authority and keeps her pointed straight. It's intrusive feeling if 1) you're really being a hooligan or 2) the outside temps are low and the tires are still cold.

Yeah, VDC is great, great at sucking.

Here is a map of the same car/driver with VDC on and off. 5 sec slower give or take.

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/227/vdcm.jpg

You can see the stupid VDC going nutty despite driving at a relatively slow pace.

YouTube - 0810 VIR 370Z chasing C5Z06 GTR.AVI Stupid VDC
YouTube - 0810 VIR 370z hotlap 217.AVI Without VDC

A good VDC system doesn't intrude under normal driving, which is something the 370 can't do. My Prius has a much nice unit, it truly doesn't kick in until the car is sliding hard.

I leave VDC off unless it's raining or wet