Faster with VCD off?

spearfish25 · 04-16-2009, 11:56 AM

What's the story with the warranty and keeping VDC off?

shabarivas · 04-16-2009, 12:33 PM

Huh? this isnt a gen 1 GTR... you will be fine...

ZforMe · 04-16-2009, 01:09 PM

I recently took mine to the track, and had VDC off the whole time. I could not get a burnout to save my life, so the computer (at least on mine) is still controlling the revs. Full brake at a stop and gas pedal to the floor it will only rev to 1500 or so. Do you think my VDC is not disengaging?

Base model, sport package, 7 speed auto.

semtex · 04-16-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZforMe?

I recently took mine to the track, and had VDC off the whole time. I could not get a burnout to save my life, so the computer (at least on mine) is still controlling the revs. Full brake at a stop and gas pedal to the floor it will only rev to 1500 or so. Do you think my VDC is not disengaging?

Base model, sport package, 7 speed auto.

I think that might have more to do with the auto trans. than with VDC. Also, your foot being on the brake may be sending a signal to limit the rpms. When I do burnouts I don't have my foot on the brake. But I have a 6MT.

ssqpolo · 04-16-2009, 01:23 PM

ya its different for us with the 6MT. man this car breaks loose! i chirped in 3rd. and yesterday it was raining...rain=mucho funo. as for racing with VDC...that ho restricts so much...TURN IT OFF! lol. be safe and have fun

k.alexander · 04-16-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssqpolo

ya its different for us with the 6MT. man this car breaks loose! i chirped in 3rd. and yesterday it was raining...rain=mucho funo.

k.alexander · 04-16-2009, 04:07 PM

I thought, I read in the manual, that the 370Z, "brakes", I assume by pulsating, the rear wheels when it activates VDC. I could be wrong though, but that's what I recall.

wstar · 04-16-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k.alexander

I thought, I read in the manual, that the 370Z, "brakes", I assume by pulsating, the rear wheels when it activates VDC. I could be wrong though, but that's what I recall.

It can do both. The VDC on our cars can modulate the throttle, and it can also individually pulse all 4 brakes as it sees fit, depending on steering angle, car angle, direction of travel, and the spinning speed of each of the 4 wheels as sensed by the ABS. In straight-line acceleration, it's probably just going to do the throttle thing, but if you loose traction in a corner it's going to use the brakes too.

Musashi · 04-17-2009, 01:49 PM

All of the VDC and SRM take away from the driving experience. If you really want to learn how to drive shut it off, go to a driving school, etc.

semtex · 04-17-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musashi

All of the VDC and SRM take away from the driving experience. If you really want to learn how to drive shut it off, go to a driving school, etc.

But watch out, dude. People are going to accuse you of being a Luddite! (I've made similar remarks and people have gotten bent out of shape, accusing me of being resistant to technological progress. lol.)

wstar · 04-17-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

But watch out, dude. People are going to accuse you of being a Luddite! (I've made similar remarks and people have gotten bent out of shape, accusing me of being resistant to technological progress. lol.)

Well, car technology is now at a point where, given enough money and desire, you can make a car "drive itself" (you operating the gas/brake/steering wheel, but it taking care of gearing, dynamic suspension, abs, traction control, etc) better than any human could hope to. However, consumer-level technology that's made on a budget, such as VDC in our cars, (a) is the cheap version and doesn't do all that stellar a job compared to what's possible, and (b) is designed and programmed towards saving novice drivers from accidents, not improving on the lap times of a pro driver.

Assuming we had a badass system capable of really controlling the car in an aggressive drive, then you get to the question of whether you'd rather learn to drive for real, or rather have the car take care of it for you. Someday, knowing how to drive a car with a real manual gearbox and no ABS is going to be purely the realm of historic sport, and everyday driving won't involve those skills anymore. It will be like practicing the sport of fencing in the era of assault rifles: rewarding, but not necessary. However, we're not there yet in general, and our Z's VDC isn't even close, so that's not even the question we face today. You can't push this car to its limits with VDC on, plain and simple. If you want the most out of your car, you're gonna have to learn to drive with it off.

k.alexander · 04-17-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

well, car technology is now at a point where, given enough money and desire, you can make a car "drive itself" (you operating the gas/brake/steering wheel, but it taking care of gearing, dynamic suspension, abs, traction control, etc) better than any human could hope to. However, consumer-level technology that's made on a budget, such as vdc in our cars, (a) is the cheap version and doesn't do all that stellar a job compared to what's possible, and (b) is designed and programmed towards saving novice drivers from accidents, not improving on the lap times of a pro driver.

Assuming we had a badass system capable of really controlling the car in an aggressive drive, then you get to the question of whether you'd rather learn to drive for real, or rather have the car take care of it for you. Someday, knowing how to drive a car with a real manual gearbox and no abs is going to be purely the realm of historic sport, and everyday driving won't involve those skills anymore. It will be like practicing the sport of fencing in the era of assault rifles: Rewarding, but not necessary. However, we're not there yet in general, and our z's vdc isn't even close, so that's not even the question we face today. You can't push this car to its limits with vdc on, plain and simple. If you want the most out of your car, you're gonna have to learn to drive with it off.

well said!

shabarivas · 04-17-2009, 03:22 PM

^ exactly!

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'.

04-16-2009, 04:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
k.alexander Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Philadelphia, PA Age: 46 Posts: 240 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z PG M6 Rep Power: 715	I thought, I read in the manual, that the 370Z, "brakes", I assume by pulsating, the rear wheels when it activates VDC. I could be wrong though, but that's what I recall. __________________ -Are you coming to bed? -I can't. This is important. -What? -Someone is WRONG on the internet.

04-16-2009, 11:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1857	What's the story with the warranty and keeping VDC off?

04-16-2009, 12:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
shabarivas A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,188 Drives: 370z MB 6mt Rep Power: 915	Huh? this isnt a gen 1 GTR... you will be fine...

04-16-2009, 01:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
ZforMe Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Memphis TN Posts: 238 Drives: 370Z Sport Auto PG Rep Power: 17	I recently took mine to the track, and had VDC off the whole time. I could not get a burnout to save my life, so the computer (at least on mine) is still controlling the revs. Full brake at a stop and gas pedal to the floor it will only rev to 1500 or so. Do you think my VDC is not disengaging? Base model, sport package, 7 speed auto.

04-16-2009, 01:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
ssqpolo Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 882 Drives: '12 Black Nismo Rep Power: 268	ya its different for us with the 6MT. man this car breaks loose! i chirped in 3rd. and yesterday it was raining...rain=mucho funo. as for racing with VDC...that ho restricts so much...TURN IT OFF! lol. be safe and have fun

04-17-2009, 01:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
Musashi Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 357 Drives: 09 370Z 6speed Rep Power: 607	All of the VDC and SRM take away from the driving experience. If you really want to learn how to drive shut it off, go to a driving school, etc.

04-17-2009, 03:22 PM	#13 (permalink)
shabarivas A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,188 Drives: 370z MB 6mt Rep Power: 915	^ exactly!

04-17-2009, 04:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1857	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.