Electronic Driving Aids: VDC & Others

Subaru NOW offers the VDC system in the Impreza 2.5i Limited and higher trims/models. Rumor says that all vehicles must have Stability control system by 2012. I wonder if this is why Subaru added this into the NEW Impreza as it is also optional and standard on higher models?

NOW there are NOT many new Subaru owner yet so it's going to be hard to get information on how WELL this system works. Questions I have are; does the brakes apply enough braking force? Does the system bog the engine down like some other systems out there? How much wheel speed difference does it allow? If high centered with the front wheels OFF the ground, is the system able to get me OUT if the rear wheels are still on the ground?
These are just some of the specific questions that I ask.

Here's a video showing a Land Rover with the braking assist tracion control system. You can hear the brakes and also SEE the wheels beeing slowed down and even stopping.


Now after reviewing this video of a stability control system called ESC, I would probably perfer my parents to be driving a car equipped with it. The Outback that we have right now I haven't look to see if it does have it or not; MY00 Outback 5spd. I think it came on the later models '02+?? It would help out if they ever where in a situation that called for it. I'm sure I'll need it at one point or another as well. This is where the rumor says that car may have to have the system by 2012.
Part 1

Part 2

BMW's DSC


Here's a video of HOW a few manufacture's AWD system workd with traction control. The LGT has VDC with Subaru's TCS. NOTE: This is one of the BETTER videos. I know MY car would have NOT made it up with the stock VLSD center and open front/rear diffs.

 

It works pretty good on my car.The braking force seems adequate. I haven't had too many issues with the engine bogging down unless I continue to try and accelerate after VDC has kicked in. I let off the gas for a sec and it's fine. I can always turn it off if I want. (whiping **** in the snow etc..) I don't know as far as your other ?'
s though, as I have yet to encounter those situations. :biggrin:

 

thats kinda cool how the legacy was able to climb with only one wheel of traction. Ia m curious however how it would handle in real world conditions (ie Ice Race) and not on a roller ramp. will the VDC and TCS cause a problem if the goal is to intentionally be spinning the wheels? would these aids be a hinderance of a benefit for agressive ice driving?

 

That system will make for great salom times. LOL

 

the old vdc in the 3.0r sedan was amazing, when it was turned on you almost could NOT get it out of controll in the snow

 

here....I can use that traction control!!!

 

Only you...lol :laugh:

 

Looks like you need to make a repair to your center differential to me.

Also, where did your lug nuts go? It looks to me as though you're missing a few?

Are you a few lug nuts short of a full set? :eek4:

If you want to scrap the car, I'll come get it for $50 :biggrin:

 

Ya, you should have a front tire spinning as well if your center diff was working properly.

 

The Porsche stability system, PSM, is pretty good I know in the Cayenne. I don't know how it would fare in the roller test, but it would let you slide at all in the snow if you're whipping it around a snowed parking lot.
And the early 2000 years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee's 4-wheel all-time system is great if you like sending the tail out wide in a corner. But that's half the fun, though in an emergency situation, you're not usually looking for that kind of excitement.

 

On the bright side...

Now you can get your car dyno'd using a traditional dyno and not an AWD one

 

Here's a good video of testing the AWD system with VDC??
Open differentials would NEVER be able to get out of this. The VLSD 5spd trannies would not. I know I would be able to.