Hey guys,
My car is pretty new and I'm fairly new to manual cars so I have a quick question for anyone who can help me. On 2 occasions since I've had the car so far I've over reved while havin the clutch in and going into first (I'm still getting used to where this clutch engages...very different) both times my wheels spun and I had something light up on the gauges...And then the car feels like it bogs down...Even though I'm still on the gas, anyone else experience this or tell me whats going on...I'm not trying to abuse my baby but I've slipped up twice and now I'm concerned as to why this happens...Thanks guys

 

I believe what's "lighting up" on your dash is the word SLIP. The reason this is happening is because you have VDC (look in your manual for full details) enabled. VDC is a traction control system that will independently brake on each wheel at different levels along with limiting or completly cutting off the engine (even if you have the pedal to the floor) in order for you to maintain full control of your car. When it detects that you could potentially lose control, it does one/many of the above features to maintain it and then flashes the word SLIP on your console so you know it's being activated. If you want this turned off just press the button VDC Off, it's next to the trunk switch to the left of the power mirrors button. If this is your first RWD car I would recommend keeping it on most of the time until you feel comfortable.

Nate

 

Wow, a lot of people bought this car with no idea of the kind of stuff it came with. Nate's answer is solid though, can't really add.

Black / Black 2004 GcoupeMT. Premium. Splash Guardz.

 

Once the excitement of the new ride wears down a little, you'll have to get the owner's manual out and have a read. It's dry reading, but there's a wealth of info in there that you should look at.
Happy G'ing, and reading, and congrats on the new G [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

<font color=red>GSM</font color=red>
<font color=red>GSM</font color=red>
<font color=black>Silverstone Coupe</font color=black>

 

Do not turn off the VDC unless you are very comfortable with how the car reacts....

'04 G35C / 6MT / DP / Graphite / Prem / Aero / Pedals / Clears

 

Then download the Factory Service Manual in pdf for $20 and spend a month reading over the multi thousands of pages as to how things work and the real specifications.

Memorize Page and Verse, you'll know much much more than the service writer and impress the technican. Besides be better able to extract all you are due and more in warranty services.

 

I couldn't agree with Q45Tech more. I purchased this and have found all kinds of great info in it. First order of business was torque specs for the wheels. 80 pounds. Got the torque wrench out and they were all too loose. Eagle1 put a scare in me with his story at the track of a guy throwing a wheel off his car. Not good.

Best $20 I ever spent. It even has instructions on how to remove the tire without harming the Tire Pressure Monitor. I keep it printed in case I get a flat and the shop says they can't patch "them kind of wheels".

I figure I'll get done reading it sometime around November.

2004.5 Coupe/5AT/Ivory/Everything but front spoiler/Nismo CAI/Crawford V5

 

Nate- Thanks for the helpful response...I was aware of the VDC button and for the most part how it works on this car...I thought it activated mainly in turns, and not during straight line hard acceleration...Thanks again for your help, and I will surely look through the manual and read up on any additional info..
I'm sure many people do buy this car not knowing anything about it, I personally spent over a year on this forum soaking up boat loads of information before I bought my coupe...Unfortunately I never came across anything in terms of the VDC limiting power just from tire spin...It makes sense to me now, but at the time I was just worried for my baby so I came on her and made my post...So I take it if you guys are going to punch it through some straight line acceleration or take it to the track, that you turn off the VDC? I heard its very difficult to control while making turns, so do you just turn it off for quick fun and then back on when the turns start coming up? Thanks again guys

 

You're welcome, one of the reasons I actually bought the g was because it had VDC. A few years back I saw a video on a BMW that had this type of technology on it and I was sold.

At the track you would want to turn off any type of traction control for they're designed with safety in mind, therefore when it's activated it can be a limiting (if you're trying to do performance) because it's being over precautious. You would be better keeping it off and controlling the wheel spin yourself. There are other types of traction control systems out there though that have performance modes. If our G's had an option between multiple types (like on some corvettes) then it may be better to keep the performance mode on because it might be able to control wheel spin better than a person. I'm not sure though, and our G's don't have this so...

As for turning, once you know the difference between understeer and oversteer it's just a matter of learning the cars power, capabilities, and weight**. If you're used to FWD you would floor it turning a corner and would make adjustments by letting up on the gas or applying the brake. If you wanted the back to kick out a little you would pull the e-brake for a second.

With RWD if you floor it around a corner the back kicks out before the front goes anywhere, no e-brake needed. To me with RWD you can control the car easier (no e-brake or strange braking techniques needed), but in return it brings more responsibility. I drove FWD for many years and am used to just gunning it. I've since learned to slowly apply the gas until the back slides the way I want it, if it's going too much for me I slowly back off on the gas... panicing and slamming the brakes is not something you want to do, a luxury that I had with FWD.

This car definitely has some power to it, but if you keep VDC off it's still nothing that will get you in trouble unless you're intentionally doing something dangerous. What I mean is with VDC off you can still take turns pretty fast w/o losing control, it's not until you really push on the pedal that you're gonna get in trouble. Drive around with it off a bit and build your way up, don't go into your first right hand turn with vdc off flooring it at 40mph. Also, if learning your cars capabilities is something you will be doing often, I would highly recommend picking up some wheel & tire insurance either through your insurance company or your dealership. This way, if you do make a mistake (or an uncontrollable variable happens) hitting a curb won't cost you over $1,000 (rim & tire).

Personally I drive with VDC on 90% of the time, if I feel like having some fun or just don't want it bugging me I'll turn it off.


** The reason I mention knowing the cars weight is I am guessing most people practice sliding and turning at higher speeds while they are alone. However, once the car is full with people, you may want to show them what your car is capable of. With the addition of 3 people (an extra 300-600lbs) what the car is capable of and how it will exactly respond has changed. Just something to think about.

Whoa, sorry for the longest post in the world, killing time until 5 o'clock....

Nate

 

Nate- Appreciate the detailed post, its people like you who attract others to car forums in the first place...Taking the time to fully explain to another enthusiast who is need of help...You are correct I'm used to FWD cars, so I'll slowly learn my cars limits with RWD...Thanks again for your help, here I am thinking I know all you can know about cars, and you just taught me something that could be very valuable to me in the future...Take Care