kwsmithphoto
Member
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- 2009 Mazdaspeed3
FWIW, I've found with my 09 that torque steer is mostly a function on the surface you're driving on.
For example, Cal Motor Speedway has an absolutely smooth surface with no major camber changes where you'd be applying power, so there's absolutely no torque steer at full power in any gear. None. Wheelspin yes, torque steer, nope.
Then again, on our lumpy public roads, it can be a problem. I don't mind so much when the wheel tugs you in a different direction, but I don't like it when there's no movement or feedback at the steering wheel but the car suddenly decides on a new direction to go in. Not cool, but not common.
But overall, it's really a non problem. After a year, I generally drive with DSC off, and wish there was a way to un-limit the power in first and second. I prefer to drive my car myself, thank you.
The one good thing about the electronic nannies is that they will help you prevent shredding the drivetrain. For example, with DSC off, and too much power on a bumpy road, you can get a lot of wheelspin and wheel hop, which is not at all good for the drivetrain. But I'm a pretty experienced driver and can do that myself.
You can still have a lot of fun with the DSC on, it's fairly loose, but as you get used to the car it gets even more fun with it switched off, forcing you to be more involved with your driving.
Good tires and a better suspension tune help, for sure. DSC has absolutely no idea what to do when the garbage rear dampers toss the rear end into the air on a serious mid-corner dip, for example. Better dampers help, of course, and should be the first change anybody does to their pre-2010 MS3 (haven't driven the 2010 but I've heard it's a lot better). They actually downgraded the tires though, but there's plenty of better alternatives at an affordable price.
Still, it's a good learning tool, and when the light blinks and the engine power cuts, it tells you something about it's inherent limitations. But when you switch of the training wheels, it's a more fun car to drive quickly, IMO. Just be careful. These cars can bite back!
For example, Cal Motor Speedway has an absolutely smooth surface with no major camber changes where you'd be applying power, so there's absolutely no torque steer at full power in any gear. None. Wheelspin yes, torque steer, nope.
Then again, on our lumpy public roads, it can be a problem. I don't mind so much when the wheel tugs you in a different direction, but I don't like it when there's no movement or feedback at the steering wheel but the car suddenly decides on a new direction to go in. Not cool, but not common.
But overall, it's really a non problem. After a year, I generally drive with DSC off, and wish there was a way to un-limit the power in first and second. I prefer to drive my car myself, thank you.
The one good thing about the electronic nannies is that they will help you prevent shredding the drivetrain. For example, with DSC off, and too much power on a bumpy road, you can get a lot of wheelspin and wheel hop, which is not at all good for the drivetrain. But I'm a pretty experienced driver and can do that myself.
You can still have a lot of fun with the DSC on, it's fairly loose, but as you get used to the car it gets even more fun with it switched off, forcing you to be more involved with your driving.
Good tires and a better suspension tune help, for sure. DSC has absolutely no idea what to do when the garbage rear dampers toss the rear end into the air on a serious mid-corner dip, for example. Better dampers help, of course, and should be the first change anybody does to their pre-2010 MS3 (haven't driven the 2010 but I've heard it's a lot better). They actually downgraded the tires though, but there's plenty of better alternatives at an affordable price.
Still, it's a good learning tool, and when the light blinks and the engine power cuts, it tells you something about it's inherent limitations. But when you switch of the training wheels, it's a more fun car to drive quickly, IMO. Just be careful. These cars can bite back!
