Is PSM really off?

[Martingale]

Took my 987 Cayman S (PDK) on my first track day recently and I was confused with how the 'PSM Off' button works.

So the car was in sport plus mode and manual PDK mode and I pressed the 'PSM Off' button, I heard the beep sound and the traction icon was lit up yellow on the dash, all good I assume.

However out on track it seemed to behave inconsistently and at times kick back in. There was a hairpin especially where when I was backing the car in and trying to slide the car around, the light would flash and the stability would interfere and go back to solid on the straights. Sometimes it wouldn't interfere at all.

So I want to ask, does the button actually turn the stability off and it resets after a certain period? Or does it simply allow a bigger slip angle in which case it's not really off? How do I turn it off off. Basically what is it doing????

Thanks.

[dreamcar]

I remember reading somewhere that PSM will cut in as a last resort if the ABS system is activated but I wouldn’t swear to that.

[BrotherMouzone]

OP, have you checked the manual?

The manual provides explanation, at least that’s the case for 996.

[Porsche911R]

it's never off, it's a pitter on the 987.2 cars imo

[Martingale]

dreamcar said:

I remember reading somewhere that PSM will cut in as a last resort if the ABS system is activated but I wouldn’t swear to that.

I see, that would make sense.
Thanks! I'll keep an eye out for that next time.

[boxsey]

Always confused me too OP. I could do a session with the PSM on (dry track) and never saw the dash light flash. I could then turn it off for the next session and the dash light would flash a few times every lap. Most of the time on corner exits. Yet I wasn't going any quicker or driving any more lairy.

My advice is to not worry about it and just drive with it switched off. It's better with it switched off to stop your rear brakes working over time.

[GTS JOE]

Sounds like you were in “PSM Sport” mode rather than “PSM Off” mode – However, I think Porsche may have changed this for the 718 by decoupling the PSM modes from the Drive modes.

For 718’s with Sports Chrono you get an extra “PSM Sport” mode and activate as follows i.e. it does not automatically get activated when selecting Drive mode “Sport Plus”.
- A brief push of the PSM button = PSM Sport (PSM OFF warning light shows and MF display shows PSM Sport)
- A 2 second+ push of the PSM button = PSM Off (PSM OFF warning light shows and MF display shows PSM Off)

So in summary, I would try a longer 2 second+ push of the PSM button and see if that turns off as it does in 718’s with Sport Chrono.

Edited by GTS JOE on Wednesday 25th April 10:39

[Martingale]

BrotherMouzone said:

OP, have you checked the manual?

The manual provides explanation, at least that’s the case for 996.

Ah no I haven't, some bedtime reading.

GTS JOE said:

Sounds like you were in “PSM Sport” mode rather than “PSM Off” mode – However, I think Porsche may have changed this for the 718 by decoupling the PSM modes from the Drive modes.

For 718’s with Sports Chrono you get an extra “PSM Sport” mode and activate as follows i.e. it does not automatically get activated when selecting Drive mode “Sport Plus”.
- A brief push of the PSM button = PSM Sport
- A 2 second+ push of the PSM button = PSM Off

So in summary, I would try a longer 2 second+ push of the PSM button and see if that turns off as it does in 718’s with Sport Chrono.

Hi thanks, my friend did actually suggest this on the day, but I couldn't work it out. It beeps instantly when you press it, he told me if I kept my finger on the button it'll beep again for the 'Off off' mode, but nothing seemed to be happening. How do you tell if it's transitioned from PSM Sport to PSM Off? Just wait and trust the system?

[Martingale]

boxsey said:

Always confused me too OP. I could do a session with the PSM on (dry track) and never saw the dash light flash. I could then turn it off for the next session and the dash light would flash a few times every lap. Most of the time on corner exits. Yet I wasn't going any quicker or driving any more lairy.

My advice is to not worry about it and just drive with it switched off. It's better with it switched off to stop your rear brakes working over time.

Yes, it is confusing, I wish they were more clear about how it works.

Thanks for that, that's the reason I had it off actually, as the rear brakes issue was mentioned on here. Ok then I'll just leave it off and hopefully just learn/get used to it by trial and error lol.

[GTS JOE]

Martingale said:

Hi thanks, my friend did actually suggest this on the day, but I couldn't work it out. It beeps instantly when you press it, he told me if I kept my finger on the button it'll beep again for the 'Off off' mode, but nothing seemed to be happening. How do you tell if it's transitioned from PSM Sport to PSM Off? Just wait and trust the system?

I was just in the process of editing my original post to include that anyway, as you posted your reply asking it!

Confusingly the PSM OFF warning light shows for both PSM modes - You have to go by the message in the MF display....

- A brief push of the PSM button = PSM Sport (PSM OFF warning light shows and MF display shows PSM Sport)
- A 2 second+ push of the PSM button = PSM Off (PSM OFF warning light shows and MF display shows PSM Off)

[Martingale]

GTS JOE said:

Martingale said:

Hi thanks, my friend did actually suggest this on the day, but I couldn't work it out. It beeps instantly when you press it, he told me if I kept my finger on the button it'll beep again for the 'Off off' mode, but nothing seemed to be happening. How do you tell if it's transitioned from PSM Sport to PSM Off? Just wait and trust the system?

I was just in the process of editing my original post to include that anyway, as you posted your reply asking it!

Confusingly the PSM OFF warning light shows for both PSM modes - You have to go by the message in the MF display....

- A brief push of the PSM button = PSM Sport (PSM OFF warning light shows and MF display shows PSM Sport)
- A 2 second+ push of the PSM button = PSM Off (PSM OFF warning light shows and MF display shows PSM Off)

Thanks a lot for that Joe, I'll give that a try and report back here.

[GTS JOE]

Martingale said:

Thanks a lot for that Joe, I'll give that a try and report back here.

You're welcome, as I say that might just be for 718's, but worth a go.

Good luck!

[Rocket.]

As above from 911r, it cannot be switched fully off sadly but with sport plus it will give you more slip angle I think.

I have investigated having it fully off but it's either pull a fuse which apparently also disables ABS so not ideal or on the U.S. planet 9 website they talk in depth about it. It can be done but involves delving into wiring in the dash and either disconnecting or fitting a switch.

http://www.planet-9.com/987-cayman-and-boxster-mod...

Edited by Rocket. on Wednesday 25th April 17:18

[Porsche911R]

No extra modes on the 987.2 cars one press is all you get.

[ian964]

Yes, it's a real pain - my rear pads wear out faster than the fronts. Two trackdays and the fronts are 30% worn vs 50% on the rears, switching PSM off and Sport on (Cayman R manual)

[88racing]

Rocket. said:

I have investigated having it fully off but it's either pull a fuse which apparently also disables ABS so not ideal...

I can confirm that - tried it on a 987 race car and found a total lack of ABS!

[ChrisW.]

If I remember correctly you can turn it off but it re-connects if both front wheels' abs trigger at the same time ...

[Porsche911R]

ChrisW. said:

If I remember correctly you can turn it off but it re-connects if both front wheels' abs trigger at the same time ...

mine only flashed out the tighter bends if I get rear wheel spin and too much steering angle, it's to do with steering angle and the YAW sensor along with loss of rear traction. You can drive round it knowing then which bends it don't like and being less aggressive.

[Martingale]

Porsche911R said:

it's never off, it's a pitter on the 987.2 cars imo

Yes, thanks for that, it's definitely the case.

Rocket. said:

As above from 911r, it cannot be switched fully off sadly but with sport plus it will give you more slip angle I think.

I have investigated having it fully off but it's either pull a fuse which apparently also disables ABS so not ideal or on the U.S. planet 9 website they talk in depth about it. It can be done but involves delving into wiring in the dash and either disconnecting or fitting a switch.

http://www.planet-9.com/987-cayman-and-boxster-mod...

Edited by Rocket. on Wednesday 25th April 17:18

That's really useful info, thanks, may consider doing this if I plan to primarily track the car.

Porsche911R said:

ChrisW. said:

If I remember correctly you can turn it off but it re-connects if both front wheels' abs trigger at the same time ...

mine only flashed out the tighter bends if I get rear wheel spin and too much steering angle, it's to do with steering angle and the YAW sensor along with loss of rear traction. You can drive round it knowing then which bends it don't like and being less aggressive.

That's exactly what I was experiencing, I think that's what I'll try to do for the time being. Thinking back, it wasn't really THAT intrusive, just confusing as I thought it was off. Very interested in how much more intrusive it is in the rain on track though....

[Porsche911R]

Martingale said:

That's exactly what I was experiencing, I think that's what I'll try to do for the time being. Thinking back, it wasn't really THAT intrusive, just confusing as I thought it was off. Very interested in how much more intrusive it is in the rain on track though....

the key I found was just wait off WOT throttle and wind off the steering, it's only ever a couple of bends really, most tracks are fine, I never saw it at Spa.

it's def a YAW vs angle and slip issue. you can dig about and disable YAW sensor but I never bothered.