Rear wheel drive and snow

I had some great fun in mine today, got some epic drifts going, really easy to hold it at a 50 degree angle :D

ABS and TC was making some interesting noises though!
 
Well the CIVIC stability system is quite impressive, I wanged it round a corner dabbed the handbrake and just held the steering lightly in the direction I wanted to go, just to see what happened whilst keeping the throttle on and the car corrected itself pretty quickly. Did the same manoeuvre with it off, and whilst I controlled it, I had to put a LOT more input into it and it was quite full on - in an emergency situation I'd be glad to have VSA on.
 
Freefaller said:
Well the CIVIC stability system is quite impressive, I wanged it round a corner dabbed the handbrake and just held the steering lightly in the direction I wanted to go, just to see what happened whilst keeping the throttle on and the car corrected itself pretty quickly. Did the same manoeuvre with it off, and whilst I controlled it, I had to put a LOT more input into it and it was quite full on - in an emergency situation I'd be glad to have VSA on.
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Oh, definitely. ESP (Or whatever the different companies call it) is quite simply a life saver.
It certainly saved my ass a couple of times in the Leon when I ran out of talent and/or due to sheer stupidity.
 
I still don't have it on in the dry or when I'm not surrounded by other cars (i.e. track, though I haven't tracked the CIVIC), but in the wet/snow it really is remarkable. However, physics is physics, if you're going too fast, all it'll do is help you be less sideways when you do hit the obstacle! :D
 
The TC and ESP in the Mondeo has been quite impressive too, it's still slippery but there's a lot less drama, and the TC helps you accelerate quite well. Certainly no need to turn it off in this weather
 
mjt said:
Oh, definitely. ESP (Or whatever the different companies call it) is quite simply a life saver.
It certainly saved my ass a couple of times in the Leon when I ran out of talent and/or due to sheer stupidity.
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Yep it saved my bottom when i overtook someone only to hit standing water, simply didn't have time to react and the car sorted itself out as it was being dragged onto the grass verge.

[TW]Fox;17918878 said:
I dont think I'll ever understand why people turn it off on normal driving.
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Me either.
 
I just turn off DSC and drive (E90 320D). Have even gone up hilly areas on ice without any problem. I find with DSC on i end up doing a back end dance as power goes from one wheel to another and the car dosen't actually move. Have had a hairy moment now and then but managed to regain the car. I think a lot of the problem with RWD is people putting down way too much power than needed and wheel spinning. I shift up as soon as feasible, for e.g 3rd right on 20mph etc.. use the clutch to scrub momentum instead of the brakes and keep low gears going down inclines.
For all other weather i keep dsc on.
 
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Habit I think... The thing is, I feel less in control of a FWD car on the limit, as I do a RWD car, in the snow with the hairdryer amongst other RWD cars I've had, I was quite comfortable and I didn't feel like I was missing it. Though this is my first car with stability control (edit: no sorry the Alfa had it too) - so never really tested it properly - hence my fun in an empty car park today. :)

I have to admit, although I feel (and I think I do) have a fair bit of skill, I can see how this really does help 99% of the population (myself included).

HOWEVER, I do like pushing the car and getting the car sideways and unstable when I want to. :) I like the cars which have variable stability controls, i.e. you can vary the amount of intrusion - that I think is really good, unfortunately this only has on and off. :)
 
Who told you off? :D

Even in the snow DSC is useful, it keeps the car pointing in the direction you're aiming the wheel as best it can and quite a few times has flashed the light during mild bends and turns in this weather and you feel the car regain grip on a wheel.
 
Khaaan! said:
Who told you off? :D

Even in the snow DSC is useful, it keeps the car pointing in the direction you're aiming the wheel as best it can and quite a few times has flashed the light during mild bends and turns in this weather and you feel the car regain grip on a wheel.
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I work in a School as an IT Admin, assistant head told me off :D Guess it is time to put childish things aside lmao, big 30 in 2yrs :D

[TW]Fox;17918904 said:
Why do you do this when there is a mode specifically designed to help you in snow?

It's called DTC and its activated with a single press of the button.
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I'll try it. Somewhere in the back of my head i remember another bmw owner telling me about turning off traction when i had my 525D, have done it ever since. Not sure on all the modes but the normal traction program thats in use everyday really hinders me in the ice/snow.
 
Just read your manual. It explains it all there.

Dynamic Traction Control (DTC)

DTC is a version of DSC that has been traction-optimised for particular operating conditions eg driving on roads where snow has not been cleared. The system assures maximum traction, but with reduced dynamic stability. You should therefore drive with caution.

In the following situations it may be best to activate DTC for a short time:

a) When driving up hill on snow covered roads, in slush or on unploughed, snow covered roads.
b) For rocking the car out of a hollow or starting in deep snow
c) When driving with snow chains

Activating DTC

Press the button - the DTC indicator light in the instrument cluster lights up.

Deactivating DTC

Press the button again' the DTC indicator light in the instrument cluster goes out

Deactivating DSC

Press and hold the DTC button until the DSC indicator light remains permanently lit. Both dynamic stability control and dynamic traction control are deactivated.
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Freefaller said:
You never complained you didn't have it in the mx5! ;)
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Not quite the same thing chap, if i crashed the 5 after doing everything i could to try and save it i'd take it on the chin, if i crashed the Passat and lets say killed / hurt someone i'd be forever thinking if having ESP on would have saved them / me.

Food for thought perhaps.
 
Fair dos. :)

Though ESP/etc... would be the last thing I'd be worried about had I killed someone crashing into them... I get what you're saying - I don't see it / agree, but completely understand what you're getting at. :) Each to their own. :)

I'm not saying ESP etc.. doesn't have it's place, as I said, having had a play with it today I think it really is quite remarkable - I know what it can do, but as I was saying physics is physics, if you're going too fast you're going too fast :) I'm not going to turn it off just for the sake of it, I'm quite happy having it on. As I said I like the cars that have variable settings so you can still have a bit of fun. I agree you'd be daft to turn it off in this weather - but when you're having a spirited drive and want to unsettle the car a little it's nice to have that option - furthermore, it makes some people feel they can drive faster / better than they really can. I had more respect for the 5 that I do for this crappy car! :p
 
MrLOL said:
you should try the car park at our place. Handbrake turns into the enterance :D
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This was my parking in the office carpark last year....

parkingfc.jpg


:(
 
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