As much as I hate the electronic nannies, I leave VDC on 99% of the time. My driving style has mellowed greatly in the last few years and switching to the G35 from an M5 with NO nannies, 315hp and RWD with 5-speed, I can say I've already had my fill of white knuckle, hang the tail out driving... ...she only bit me once...

Yeah, from time to time the VDC goes off for some fun, but only when there's plenty of space to make mistakes.

 

Whats the value of VDC when you have an X (AWD). In another words, any additional benefit the VDC gives an X that the AWD system does not?

 

1. Turn on car
2. Turn off VDC (except when raining)
3. Turn off rear view mirror dimmer
4. Hit "ok" button on Nav disclaimer

4 buttons! whoo hoo!

 

^^Why don't you like the mirror dimmer?

 

^ i was thinking the same thing why would you turn it off?

 

Daily Driving: On
In the rain: On
On the track: On
Peeling out: Off

 

I've been reading this and interestingly enough this morning on the way back from droping my kids off at school I took a basic left hand turn on the fast side. The car lost traction and started spinning. The VDC kicked in and straigtened her right out. I was shocked the car was sliding. So in this case I'm sure if the VDC was off I would have easly straightened the car out but damn glad the VDC was on since it wasn't planned.

So for safety sake it's staying on.......

 

i dunno why i turn the mirror dimmer off. i think it is because i am usually driving quite spiritedly AND on top of that my mirrors are tinted. so i feel like i need all clarity i can have. oh, btw, i noticed there are more steps before i can just take off and drive:
1. Turn on car
2. Turn off VDC (except when raining)
3. Turn off rear view mirror dimmer
4. Hit "ok" button on Nav disclaimer
5. Plug back in iPod
6. Hit play button.
7. Since my car needs service, click "ok" on the navi 3 times, then click off the alerts on the center console

Now how the heck do I reply to a specific message on this thing....

 

Hit the 'quote' link on the bottom-right of the message you want to reply to.

BTW, I might as well revise my startup routine too:

1. Start car
2. Slide Valentine V1 into its windshield mount
3. Plug in V1's rearview mirror power connector
4. Turn off VDC (except if raining)
5. Drive

I don't have nav, I always take my V1 with me when I leave the car, and I always leave the auto-dimming mirror *on*... I drove a loaner without it a couple months ago and for the first 10 minutes I thought every @sshole in Austin had their hi-beams on.

 

my order:

1) Push in Clutch and Brake pedals
2) Start Car
3) VDC off
4) Release Parking Brake
5) Turn on Radio
6) Turn volume up
7) Put Windows Down
8) Drive

Kinda long list, but it takes a whole like 3 sec to do, sometimes i hold the unlock key for a while to get the windows down to cut a step. (impresses the friends)

 

I think people need to realize that cars, such as the G35, IS350, 335i, etc. have gotten REALLY fast. In fact, these high 4, low 5 sec 0-60 cars are about as fast as a mid 80s 911 turbo. That, coupled w/ the touchy throttle on the G35, can get people into trouble if the VDC is turned off and the driver is inexperienced at knowing how to handle oversteer in a powerful RWD car.

I think some people have crashed their Gs w/ VDC off because they think they're driving a luxury sport sedan and they forget it has the power of a 300ZXTT or Supra TT so when they romp on the throttle around a turn, they're not prepared for the resulting power-on oversteer.

 

AWD is mainly about traction, by locking or limiting slip in the center differential to get power to the axle with the most traction. VDC is mainly about preserving control in severe cornering situations by reducing power and applying brakes as needed. Having both does wonders for safety in low traction conditions.

I keep VDC on. I don't see the point of turning it off on public streets. It's all about managing risks , too many things can go wrong on public streets. On the track... that's a different story. That said, I haven't had the time to take my G35 on a track yet, very sad.

 

+1

I hate computers f*king with my driving..

 

I always leave it on. Why? Because I don't find the VDC too intrusive (*cough* Lexus *cough*). I can get into a small slide or something if I'm taking a hard corner and I can just feather the throttle and its in my comfort zone. Had I had VDC off, theres a high probability that I would've hit something.

I would only turn VDC off if I were in a controlled environment (track or strip) and planned on going dangerously fast (which I never do on public streets, just the occassional spirited driving). On the public streets there are too many variables that are out of my control so I just think its best to have every safety feature I can available to me.

 

Anyone actually AutoX in one of these cars? I'm curious to hear the results with and without VDC.

If anything VDC would make it easier to track the car.