DSC... space-age technology!

[MS3inDC]

Ok...

So, I am slowly starting to adjust to the past 17 years of automotive technology, and really starting to realize that I'm driving a "smart" car. Up until March, my '91 240SX was the newest car that I've ever owned ('87 Bonneville, '90 Civic DX, '90 Accord EX, '91 RX-7 N/A, and '91 240SX). And I have to say that I am a little unnerved with the corrections that the DSC makes while driving.

Where I live there a numerous back roads, winding country roads, mountain passes, and other types of roads that don't involve driving in a straight line for very long. Recently I have been playing around with driving with the DSC off, and I like the way the car feels much better with the DSC in the off position. With the DSC off, its as though I can "feel" what the car is doing or rather wants to do, much more so than when I have the DSC on.

Does anyone else prefer driving with the DSC off? I know that being able to toggle that mode on and off is mostly for those of us that own Mazdas that actually make it to track days. But, all in all, I'd have to say that I would have liked a "dumb" Speed 3 much more than the "smart" one.

 

[79535]

I switch DSC off all the time (unless I'm highway commuting, then I just leave it on).

 

[squidmotion]

Ok...

So, I am slowly starting to adjust to the past 17 years of automotive technology......

you and i both, brother....

 

[carbosam]

i turn it off all the time...i would like full power in second gear aswell and dont like the torque steer management control, i can manage that myself.

 

[MS3inDC]

I am much more comfortable feeling the over-steer and (in this case) under-steer and correcting with the throttle. But having the computer do it for me is taking a lot of getting used to. I think what really bothers me is that it corrects for you, then the little light flashes on the dash.... some simultaneous action would be cool

 

[rsvinylgraphics]

I would rather the default setting to be off than on.

 

[MS3inDC]

I would rather the default setting to be off than on.

agreed

 

[el_Don]

for all sorts of real driving, turning the dsc off is a requirement. In merc's, you'll actually find that you can never fully turn off the dsc and can feel it fighting you as you try to kick the tail out.

 

[MS3inDC]

I guess I understand “idiot” controls on a car. But even the owner’s manual says that the DSC will not correct for improper or reckless driving. So you have to have some idea of what you’re doing for the DSC to even be effective. But, all it really does is get in the way imo.

I had never understood why STI owners talked down so much about EVOs and their “corrective driving aids” until now. I forgot all of the names of them; yaw control, traction control, stability control, and any other kind of control that EVOs have.

STIs are for those that can find and follow a proper racing line, understand braking zones and weight transfer, and balancing steering inputs with throttle control. EVOs are for those that drive hard into corners, brake late, yank the wheel, and slam on the gas at corner exit. STI drivers don’t have an army of driving aids to make up for lack of driving skill.

STIs were designed with chassis symmetry and balance in mind. This is why Subaru went with the mechanical LSD to bias the torque. Where as the EVOs design did not emphasize balance, so a computer controlled LSD has been used to help maintain the “balance” of the car while driving.

Call me a cazy, but I’m much more comfortable in a car that just communicates what its doing and allows you, the driver, to make corrections rather than the car dictating to you what its going to do.

 

[79535]

DSC did save my ass one time. Cruising down the highway at 120km/h and suddenly there is a deer right in front of me. No time to brake so I choose to avoid. I slammed the car right and yanked it back left. The rear tires actually slide out in to the ditch.

The car was nearly 70-80 degrees off parallel of road and the DSC pulled it back to straight.

Other than that situation, it has been kind of a pain, especially when I winter drove it.