DSC effect on AWD operation (spd 6)

[pmh67]

Hey all,

Just wanted to point out something I noticed during this last snow storm.

With DSC ON, I noticed that slow speed operation of AWD is pretty bad and I was getting some wicked (New England...) back end slide when making 90 degree turns. Also the traction control (yellow wavy line symbol) was being activated as well.

I've heard that AWD doesn't come into play when going slow (<5 mph...parkingn lot speed) which seems strange especially if starting in snow covered roads when you would want the extra traction from the rear.

I then turned off DSC and it appeared to me that AWD was much better and could feel the rear adding power and the back end would stay in line with direction of travel.

Anyone else notice this?

Really wish we had more manual control of the AWD system instead of relying on the computer system....

 

[StormTrooper6]

I have noticed this as well. Sometimes when i'm in a good mood and conditions are bad and i'm on a short trip i'll drive with it off for a bit. Just because it will cut the power, and then turn it back on which sometimes makes it even worse. It does seem to stay straighter with it off, you can feel it breaking traction, and let off the accelerator accordingly, that is, if you want to

 

[i8urgti]

i too did the same when 3 weeks ago we got the first 18 inches of the year.

 

[Qwik6]

I drove mine in the snow with dsc on and had no issues. Traction light never came on. I also found out that this car is awd in reverse as well. I have heard rumors it wasn't.

 

[Mistersix]

i disagree fellas.

i play a lot in the snow. no shortage of poorly plowed lots here in good ol beaver county. ( yeah yuck it up, beaver, i know, LOL)
the dsc does a great job of letting you play a lil then straightening you out. without it on results in a full blown 180. a controlled slide is what i go for when i'm goofin off. the threshold for dsc intervention is very high. compared to my bosses lincoln ls tsc. which hoses you as soon as you even think about it.

from what i understand the torque biasing response is based on load not speed.

lemme share something with you guys. cant recall where i got this link but its got a butt load of technical info on the speed 6 and how stuff works. below is a copy paste from said articles:
Front/rear wheel torque varies between 100/0 and 50/50 through an electronic
torque coupling mounted in front of the rear differential
100/0 is only used when the hand brake is applied or at low speeds during
tight turns (parking lot maneuvers)
Many AWD systems in FWD cars require front wheel slip (viscous couplings)
before power is transferred to the rear, MAZDASPEED6 has a strong rear
wheel bias in most driving conditions
Almost constant torque to the rear requires a water cooled transfer unit
also this:
The 4WD ECU uses real-time data to manage torque.
PCM: VSS, RPM, TP angle, neutral switch, brake pedal position, selector
lever position
DSC: 4-wheel speed sensors, parking brake switch, ABS activated, steering
wheel angle, brake fl uid pressure, back-up light, coupling torque request, yaw
rate, and lateral G-force
Rear Differential: oil temperature

 

[revird13]

i always turn off the dsc. i was hoping to find a way to have the car default to it being off unless i switch it on. whether it is slick or not, i would rather not have a computer telling me how fast my wheels should be spinning. just the way i know how to drive, i guess....that or stupidity.

 

[Mistersix]

the dsc really doesnt interfere unless until you get crazy enough that it kicks on to set you right. the threshold is very high in comparison to other vehicles.

the rx8 is another example of a car with great traction control electronics that will let you have a lil fun before it reels you in.

on the other forum theres a discussion about a device that can cycle signals. you wire this up to the dsc switch and after a few seconds with the car on it shuts it off for you.

 

[revird13]

the dsc really doesnt interfere unless until you get crazy enough that it kicks on to set you right. the threshold is very high in comparison to other vehicles.

the rx8 is another example of a car with great traction control electronics that will let you have a lil fun before it reels you in.

on the other forum theres a discussion about a device that can cycle signals. you wire this up to the dsc switch and after a few seconds with the car on it shuts it off for you.

thanks for the info. probably a habit fueled by my wife's 6s and the tcs. i'd rather burn the tires off that thing than have it cut power.

 

[Qwik6]

Its got to be sensititve. If I am taking off from a light at a fairly decent take off and hit a hump in the road or a pot hole the traction control lights up and the car jerks violently back and forth. This has only happened to me twice.

 

[earlofpearl]

Its got to be sensititve. If I am taking off from a light at a fairly decent take off and hit a hump in the road or a pot hole the traction control lights up and the car jerks violently back and forth. This has only happened to me twice.

I live near Cleveland where the potholes are terrible, so this happens to me on the regular basis.

I do feel that the DSC can be annoying, but I prefer that to spinning out and hitting something. I know how to drive, but the ass end can get happy in a hurry in the snow on these cars.

 

[Mistersix]

DSC: 4-wheel speed sensors, ABS activated, steering
wheel angle, coupling torque request, yaw
rate, and lateral G-force

so you can see how, based on these parameters, how even thumpin a pothole could set your dsc off.

if you find it intrusive simply turn it off. if you spend some time in car provoking the dsc you develop a better understanding of what its gonna do, what it takes to provoke it(threshold), and how the chassis feels and reacts when it does intervene.
you can do this at the track doin some autocross or simply in an empty snowy lot on your way to the liquor store.

i always turn off dsc when at the track. in that instance, yes, the threshold is two low. but if you goofin off enough on the street and its kickin on. then what your doin is stupid and dangerous and should not be done by anyone on public streets.

i guess all my point is, is: dont think your better or smarter than the dsc. its smarter, resoponds faster, than you, and has "feelers" all over the car. on the track by all means, turn off the nannies and learn the limits of your chassis and its particular set up.(i.e. tires, suspension, etc)

 

[OJ Bartley]

Its got to be sensititve. If I am taking off from a light at a fairly decent take off and hit a hump in the road or a pot hole the traction control lights up and the car jerks violently back and forth. This has only happened to me twice.

I get this fairly regularly as well. Under a god amount of acceleration (leaving an intersection, turning a corner, or climbing a hill usually) if I hit any kind of bump. It can be pretty disruptive, and I've had people get a little freaked out by it, but not so much that I'd leave the DSC off all the time. Just when I want to have a little more fun, and pay a lot more attention to what I'm doing.

 

[revird13]

i guess all my point is, is: dont think your better or smarter than the dsc. its smarter, resoponds faster, than you, and has "feelers" all over the car. on the track by all means, turn off the nannies and learn the limits of your chassis and its particular set up.(i.e. tires, suspension, etc)

tru.... def. know i'm not smarter than the computer/feelers, but i'm also not as smart as my wife and i don't listen to her s*** either. (j/k) i leave dsc on if it is a really questionable road condition, but that would be few and far between to need that over common sense.

 

[Qwik6]

I do not dare turn off dsc in the rain. I learned this by spinning completely sideways and was headed straight towards the median running about 45mph. Luckily no cars were comming and I was able to recover the car and get it away from the median. But it scared the s*** out of me. I do play with it off sometimes in a conservative fashion. If I am at an intersection and its a little slick out I'll turn it off just to do a drfit in the turn. Pretty fun but border line dangerous if you have never done it. I have gotten pretty good at it.