Technical Advice
Discussion
I will apologise in advance for this question. But, I am no where near as technically advanced as many of you guys.
I think I understand (considering my technical ineptness) from other posts that on the VXR the stability control system is electronic, in that if a wheel looses traction the ECU or some other electronic gismo simply cuts the power to the spinning wheel. Then as soon as the wheel gains grip the power can be re-applied.
If that's the case I have a few questions.
This morning whilst trying to get out of my drive on a side road on a North Yorkshire snow covered lane I simply couldn't get any grip no matter how cautious I was with the power. But - turning the SCS off I managed enough grip to be able to drive the car.
Why?
Secondly - would I be right in saying that if the SCS cuts power when the wheel start to spin, the maximum power of the engine could only be achieved at the wheels if the system was switched off. After all 400 + horses might be enough to achieve a loss of grip on even a dry road.
Am I being stupid?
I think I understand (considering my technical ineptness) from other posts that on the VXR the stability control system is electronic, in that if a wheel looses traction the ECU or some other electronic gismo simply cuts the power to the spinning wheel. Then as soon as the wheel gains grip the power can be re-applied.
If that's the case I have a few questions.
This morning whilst trying to get out of my drive on a side road on a North Yorkshire snow covered lane I simply couldn't get any grip no matter how cautious I was with the power. But - turning the SCS off I managed enough grip to be able to drive the car.
Why?
Secondly - would I be right in saying that if the SCS cuts power when the wheel start to spin, the maximum power of the engine could only be achieved at the wheels if the system was switched off. After all 400 + horses might be enough to achieve a loss of grip on even a dry road.
Am I being stupid?
First off I don't think you could class it as stability control, it traction control pure and simple. As I understand it it uses the ABS sensors in the hubs to detect wheelspin and then closes the throttle if wheelspin is detected. In mine, which does not have an electronic throttle you get a sensation that the throttle pedal is being pulled away from you when the throttle closes. I've not driven one with an electronic throttle but I assume the principle is the same but the implementation will be different.
You are correct to hypothesise that in any situation, with the system turned on, where you may experience a loss of traction it will limit engine output. It's not very advanced however, it's pretty much on/off and slow to react.
Something like Racelogic traction control is much better and can balance engine power exactly against the traction available therefore giving you maximum possible acceleration.
In snow like this the standard system is useless. The only way I can get mine to move is by bringing the clutch out *very* gently in 1st gear with no throttle.
You are correct to hypothesise that in any situation, with the system turned on, where you may experience a loss of traction it will limit engine output. It's not very advanced however, it's pretty much on/off and slow to react.
Something like Racelogic traction control is much better and can balance engine power exactly against the traction available therefore giving you maximum possible acceleration.
In snow like this the standard system is useless. The only way I can get mine to move is by bringing the clutch out *very* gently in 1st gear with no throttle.
Yes, traction control should be switched off in snow....
If you think about what it is doing - as soon as the wheels spin (even a little) the system takes power away (there are many different methods of doing this, but the result is the same). So, in snow where you have no grip, the wheel spins immediately, and power is taken immediately. Therefore you never get to a point where you can drive...
Taking Traction Control off allows you to control how much power you put down with your foot so you stand ha;f a chance....
If you think about what it is doing - as soon as the wheels spin (even a little) the system takes power away (there are many different methods of doing this, but the result is the same). So, in snow where you have no grip, the wheel spins immediately, and power is taken immediately. Therefore you never get to a point where you can drive...
Taking Traction Control off allows you to control how much power you put down with your foot so you stand ha;f a chance....
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 9th February 15:50
BO55 VXR said:
gsxr750steve said:
Yes, traction control should be switched off in snow....
My $0.02 is that the WHOLE CAR should be switched off in the snow... Mine stays firmly planted to the drive.... I'll rather bang up the Mondeo
NB: I accept that some people only have the Monaro...
Well, yes - I've been using my Impreza.....
gsxr750steve said:
BO55 VXR said:
gsxr750steve said:
Yes, traction control should be switched off in snow....
My $0.02 is that the WHOLE CAR should be switched off in the snow... Mine stays firmly planted to the drive.... I'll rather bang up the Mondeo
NB: I accept that some people only have the Monaro...
Well, yes - I've been using my Impreza.....
And I the wifes Omega with snow tyres
works a treat. See this morning though when it's all going away 
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