VDC Can Hurt You

TNT TITAN · 06-17-2004, 06:19 AM

VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL, is probably a very good feature to have when the streets are icey and slippery,but if you live in a crazy traffic city like I do VDC can get you hurt real quick, because if it detects any slipperage of the rearl wheels it shuts down the engine just when you need the power to cross the street, so if you gonna need the power make sure the VDC control is off,you may spin the tires a bit but at least you are in control. This happened to me the other day, had a few rocks cause me to spin the tires and the VDC took over and scared the crap out of me, it don't see the other cars coming.

bestatchess · 06-17-2004, 06:27 AM

Are you sure it wasn't ABLS instead of VDC ?

TNT TITAN · 06-17-2004, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestatchess

Are you sure it wasn't ABLS instead of VDC ?

No doubt in my mind, it was the VDC.

avroflyer · 06-17-2004, 08:00 AM

Who was the dude on this board that called the ABLS system the BALS system? That was hilarious!

TNTITAN · 06-17-2004, 08:08 AM

Yeah I have had my VDC do that too. Scared me to death. The ABLS system doesnt cut power like VDC does. In fact with VDC off I can lay two black streaks. Never on mine of course, simply tried on a loaner!

SmokeSE · 06-17-2004, 08:36 AM

Yeah, the same thing already happend to me. This thing is so fast that I've gotten used to having to need a little less room to pull out into traffic.... gets you there QUICK!!!!! I was driving one time and pulled out to get into traffic and there was water in the gutter, and I almost get into an accident cause the VDC cut me down.

TNT TITAN · 06-17-2004, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokeSE

Yeah, the same thing already happend to me. This thing is so fast that I've gotten used to having to need a little less room to pull out into traffic.... gets you there QUICK!!!!! I was driving one time and pulled out to get into traffic and there was water in the gutter, and I almost get into an accident cause the VDC cut me down.

Nissan got it *** backwards, the VDC should be off by default, the button should be to turn it on. The reason I say that so you don't forget to turn it off ,it is off already.

titansurveyor · 06-17-2004, 10:18 AM

I always turn the VDC off when driving around town. The feature is good if you are offroad or something. But in the city, it has the potential to be very scary.

SupraTitan · 06-17-2004, 10:49 AM

They should just make it so the vdc doesn't do anything till like 20mph. It is embarrasing when you put the pedal thru the firewall and the truck just stands still. also when a toyota prius jumps you till 30mph from a light.

Austin · 06-17-2004, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by titansurveyor

I always turn the VDC off when driving around town. The feature is good if you are offroad or something. But in the city, it has the potential to be very scary.

VDC should be off when offroad - it even says so in the manual.

Offroad, you want to spin your tires. Sometimes momentum and tire spinning are the only things keeping you from getting stuck.

PHOEBISIS · 06-17-2004, 10:57 AM

I wish I had the VDC,but guess I'm better without it.When turning into traffic from a stop,I like to spin the rear wheels just a little so the backend comes around more quickly and I can hit it quicker.Guess that would be out with VDC.Charlie

70boss · 06-17-2004, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNT TITAN

Nissan got it *** backwards, the VDC should be off by default, the button should be to turn it on. The reason I say that so you don't forget to turn it off ,it is off already.

The reason it is defaulted to "ON" is to make it YOUR choice to turn it off. It limits the liability to the driver instead of the company.

nursecrickett · 06-17-2004, 08:22 PM

Hey guys...
Can someone explain this whole VDC thing? My salesman told me to leave it on at all times...

Thanks!
Crickett

Austin · 06-17-2004, 08:37 PM

VDC is Vehicle Dynamic Control.

VDC uses various sensors (wheel speed, vehicle speed, G sensor, etc) to detect which, if any, wheels are slipping.

VDC has the ability to selectively brake specific wheels and/or reduce engine output to correct a slip situation.

Orange Crush · 06-18-2004, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin

VDC is Vehicle Dynamic Control.

VDC uses various sensors (wheel speed, vehicle speed, G sensor, etc) to detect which, if any, wheels are slipping.

VDC has the ability to selectively brake specific wheels and/or reduce engine output to correct a slip situation.

Isn't that what ABLS does? As I understand it VDC is a yaw control system; It prevents under and oversteer situations.

 Vehicle Dynamic Control: (VDC) is available on both SE and LE trim levels in both 2WD and 4WD models, therefore it operates in both modes. VDC changes engine power and/or applies the brakes individually as necessary to help stabilize the vehicle in severe turning situations. VDC helps enhance performance in emergency avoidance maneuvers, helps improve vehicle directional stability, and helps provide improved control even on slippery road surfaces. The system integrates ABS and TCS with additional cornering controls. The VDC control functions (integrated into the ABS control unit) monitor the input from steering wheel angle, vehicle speed, wheel speed, G-force and yaw rate. When vehicle stability is affected by road conditions or the need to make an emergency maneuver, the system helps to maintain optimum speed at each wheel. The system controls engine output by reducing fuel and throttle opening, and provides individual braking control for each wheel to reduce or prevent skidding.

 Active Brake Limited-Slip: When ABS wheel-speed sensors detect a loss of traction in one or more wheels, braking force is applied to that wheel to help slow it down. This redirects power to the wheels with better traction.

 Traction Control System: (TCS) operates at all speeds and limits drive-wheel slip (wheel spin) under most conditions, improving driver control of the vehicle in slippery conditions as well as on dry surfaces if throttle is over-applied. The traction control system reduces torque to the drive wheels by altering injector pulse and controlling the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) motor. If necessary, the brakes are also pulsed via the ABS control unit and hydraulic unit to reduce slipping.

And although the following is in reference to Toyota 4wd vehicles it seems to apply to the Nissan as well;

there is a second part of the TRACS that can be hazardous if you are not paying attention. This is the engine speed limiter. This combines the braking action of TRACS with a rev limiter. Your engine speed will be cut back to 1500 to 2400 RPM. This allows for controlled forward movement but it will be slow. The danger with this is if it engages when you are trying to pull into fast moving traffic. [I'm not sure if the following would apply to the Titan] This rev limiter only operates in the 2WD mode, so if you know you have any reduced traction, make sure you are in 4WD.