Are my new stiffer sways screwing with VDC?
 

I recently installed Hotchkis sways *. I was coming out of a turn, gave it some (not WOT) gas and the rear end tried to slide out. I lessened the throttle and corrected, I could see the VDC light flash on the dash. No big deal. My first thought was I had turned off VDC only to realize it was on, I had forgotten to turn it off, like usual.

I thought the VDC would not allow you to break loose like this (giving it too much throttle) while in a turn. It has cut my throttle before I could break loose. Are my new stiffer sways screwing with VDC?

I realize whatever happens it is my fault. I am driving. I just thought the training wheels that are the VDC, would have deployed.

* middle hole on rears.

Maybe you didn't give it time too? How fast did you let off the pedal when you started to slide? I have the Stillen sways set to the stiffest in the rear and my vdc comes on still.

Happens to me as well. I can get the rear to slide and correct it myself WITH the VDC on. Infact sometimes I can get it slide and back in line without the VDC having to do anything (With it on). You're fine.

My G37 did the same thing but it wasnt to bad at all when it would slide out. It seems the car will slide some before the VDC can truely active. Somewhat like cause and effect. I really dislike VDC and choose not to have it. But it can serve a purpose to some.

You can still lose traction with VDC on. It is not a miracle button. It is there to correct minor mistakes, but can still be pushed past its limits.

Yep -- you can kick out the rear with the VDC on and it will correct itself.

Stiffer rear sways will definitely make it easier to oversteer.

You increase oversteer with a larger rear bar. The sways aren't messing with VDC. You changed the dynamics of the car so it's going to swing the rear out a lot easier now.

:iagree: You can always step the rear down to the softest setting.

My VDC light comes on all the time without any noticeable change in throttle response. I think you are good. My sway bars will be on in a few weeks so I will let you know if I notice any major change.

You change one thing on the car it will affect the others.

Thanks. Overall I am very happy with the settings. I just needed to get used to them. VDC is not my thing anyway.
Monday I hope to get those coil overs installed.

yes this is the extreme, but we are talking small controlled slips not a full take off :tup:

Does the ECU "learn" suspension mods? Just wondering.

I agree with the advice to drop to the first setting on the bar. I've always found the softest setting on an aftermarket bar to be a HUGE difference over stock.

i'd also add that vdc takes time to act, if it sense a slip it will try to prevent it this is for small slides, but for big ones it will try and try but it wont just fix everything in an instant. i mean give it time and eventually it'll save you.

I doubt it. VDC probably just responds to wheelspin as it happens.

Yep. Responds based on monitoring wheelspin.


OP, you can usually mash on the gas and get the rear to step out pretty easily, even with VDC on. I think it's normal.

If you mash it, sure. As I would have expected. As opposed to my surprise.
Oversteer, coupled with light gas in a tight uphill turn was my mistake.

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Apparently the Z VDC is slower to react than other stability control systems. This is a good thing. Everyone would turn it off it was in nanny mode like the Prius stability control. That is the other extreme. My Prius would never let the rear end slip an inch. It reduced the throttle instantly in situations where I know I could have turned without loss of traction.

VDC works on each brake individually and on the throttle. The math that controls this is really complex. The car maker can make the VDC as strict or lenient as it wishes. I give Nissan credit for building a VDC that will keep me out of trouble but won't nanny me and turn driving into a boring Prius experience.

It still should have a sport mode that lets you go a few steps further... VDC will only give you a couple degrees of yaw then it goes crazy.

vdc has a certain reaction time to respond. it is not immediate. on the dry it is no big deal, and fast enough. but driving on the wet or even snowy roads is a different issue. the slow response time is noticeable and the rear of the car can swing around by a surprising amount before the vdc activates.

Um, you were actually trying to drift a prius? Other than the lack of power, isn't it also fwd? How would the rear end spin in the first place?

Stability control doesn't only prevent drifting. It also limits speed on turns. Obviously, you can't drift with a Prius. It is underpowered fwd. But the stability control is so aggressive that simply turning a corner can trigger it.