Newbie Dynamic Stability Control – DSC question

[Crazy Harry]

Hi everyone,

2008 3.0si Roadster

I forgot to post this question at the start of the week. Saturday was a drier day than of late here in Norfolk and I was able to take my newly acquired Zed around some of our local rural runs. One route I often drive has a hump back bridge at the bottom of a long dip in the road in combination with a quick right then left jink. Photo courtesy of google maps but it does not do it justice.



If I take this section of road in my Caterham the rear n/s corner lifts through the second (left hand jink) of the turn and being a live axle and stiff can get clear air. :lol:

Taking the same line in the Zed I noticed the DSC light in the rev counter flash lit for a second or so. I assume that the rear corner did not fully lift – well no indication from the tyre pressure monitoring system (and mine was shouting after going through a large puddle on the motorway bringing it home) so I assume the wheel continue to rotate at the same rate as the others.

The Handbook suggests the warning light is only lit for system failures – no mention of spirited driving (other than the ‘laws of physics’ still apply). I’ve had no DSC light since or any failure warnings – was the system just outside it’s expected parameters; frightened; or resetting itself? Anyone else had this with spirited driving?

 

[VRSteve]

If it flashes its doing something.

If its off its not doing anything.

If its on its broken or you disabled it.

 

[Ducklakeview]

I presume you were under power as it lit? Would have been the dsc braking the wheel to prevent it spinning as it lost traction.

Mike

 

[Buckz]

I had it kick in while going over the speed bump.. I was doing less than 10mph and it flashed over the beast of a thing that was on the road in central london.

 

[Crazy Harry]

Hi Mike,

Yea under power - starting to accelerate out of the jink and up the hill. I was hoping that it was just the DSC trying to maintain an idiot proof stable platform which I think is what you're suggesting. If the handbook had stated that it might flash on and off if outside normal parameters I wouldn't have posted.

Thanks for the replies

 

[Busterboo]

(Good thread.)

Looking at your photo, Harry, is it possible that your Z4, wider as it is than your Caterham, came into contact with the rough road edge?

 

[Crazy Harry]

Hi Busterboo,

Yea you're right the Caterham is a lot smaller. If I've got a passenger we rub shoulders and I drive with my right elbow over the bodywork - even the side screens (if fitted) are shaped so you can do this. The Zed is huge by comparison.

This is a super bit of road and although you can't see in the photo the road is the same width over the bridge. There are two ways to drive it. With oncoming traffic stop and when its clear follow the line of the road. If there is no traffic (in front or oncoming) then through the middle with bags of room on each side. BuckZ's comment makes me think the light is a reaction to the weight coming off the wheel and the system tring to regain control.

 

[Busterboo]

Yes, it's a beautiful bit of road.

As for the DSC, mine hasn't come on yet, but then I'm not a Caterham driver. :wink:

 

[dhobbs]

My light comes on with spirited driving or when it's slippery.
I have always thought this is normal and tells you the traction control is kicking in.

 

[Steve84N]

It doesn't take that much to instigate brief intervention when on full. I usually drive around with Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) engaged as it kicks in less but still performs close to full intervention at higher speeds. When the weather improves it'll be off altogether. For DTC press the button and for off hold the button.

 

[Ducklakeview]

It doesn't take that much to instigate brief intervention when on full. I usually drive around with Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) engaged as it kicks in less but still performs close to full intervention at higher speeds. When the weather improves it'll be off altogether. For DTC press the button and for off hold the button.

+1 for the added fun factor!

Mike

 

[DNz Z4]

Interesting Chat, also a newbie.

Only had my Z4 Coupe since late Dec, I've found it an absolute beast on wet damp winter roads, pulling out quick at junctions or roundabouts the back end seems to do its own thing

All treads are all good, the previous owner installed lower suspension and carbon roof etc.

Are you guys suggesting running full time with DTC button on.

Like I said a newbie And a Z4 virgin. Thanks in advance

 

[Steve84N]

Get used to it with the stability control on full (which you have) and then turn it onto DTC whenever you want the car to move a little more for enjoyment. I tend to turn it back to full on for motorways and similar as I can't see any reason not to have as much help as possible in an emergency manoeuvre.

 

[DNz Z4]

Thanks appreciated