vdc button

Jersey Titan · 08-09-2005, 08:56 AM

I have a 2004 Titan "LE" with 4x4 & tow-package. The vehicle also has a VDC button (vehicle dynamic control) button. The manual states the VDC should be on during all normal driving. I was just wondering if this device is adding to my gas consumption ???

I inquired about the device with the Nissan dealership, but their know less about the vehicle than I do (not good)

Does any one owner with said device know if leaving this device off will save alot of gas ?????

tnbowhunter · 08-09-2005, 09:28 AM

It's been discussed before and I think the concensus was....NO...you will not gain any more MPG by turning it off.
I have it on my truck and the safety factor of leaving it on far out weigh any slight MPG gains.

GETSOMZ28 · 08-09-2005, 11:54 AM

I turn it off unless there is inclement weather. It has proved to be an annoyance to me when I am trying to merge with traffic only to find it has killed my throttle input.

KTMNealio · 08-09-2005, 12:51 PM

If you are a very skilled driver, VDC is a hinderance IMHO. However, it probably benefits over 1/2 the drivers out there..

- Nealio

tnbowhunter · 08-09-2005, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTMNealio

If you are a very skilled driver, VDC is a hinderance IMHO. However, it probably benefits over 1/2 the drivers out there..

- Nealio

Oh, now i'm an unskilled driver.

DocBugg · 09-19-2005, 05:46 PM

Is VDC an option? I thought I got it with the side air bag package but upon further investigation, I found no VDC OFF button and no where on the sticker saying VDC...I DID find Electronic Brake Force Distribution, what is that????

THANKS!!!

kartman · 09-19-2005, 05:51 PM

My 05LE does not have it and I am happy about that.

baseballfanz · 09-19-2005, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GETSOMZ28

I turn it off unless there is inclement weather. It has proved to be an annoyance to me when I am trying to merge with traffic only to find it has killed my throttle input.

If you want to turn it off and keep it off this device might work for you. Click on products and click on traction control. It basically remember your setting and keep it that way.
http://www.kptechnologies.com/

scr38 · 09-19-2005, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocBugg

Is VDC an option? I thought I got it with the side air bag package but upon further investigation, I found no VDC OFF button and no where on the sticker saying VDC...I DID find Electronic Brake Force Distribution, what is that????

THANKS!!!

EBFD automatically balances braking force between the front and rear brakes.

jburson250 · 09-19-2005, 06:40 PM

VDC was part of BT on the '04s. Now it's part of the Air Bag package.
Since my son and I are woefully unskilled drivers, and winters here can be a challenge, I'm delighted we both have it.
As for gas mileage improvement, turning VDC off is a myth. My fill-up today worked out to 16.4 mpg. That's mostly around-town with brief interstate runs. I've never turned VDC off. Maybe if I did, I'd break 16.5. But then there's those limited driving skills to deal with. Some dilema.

milleniamarv · 09-20-2005, 08:07 PM

Guess I'll have to put myself in the woefully unskilled driver category also since I appreciate having VDC. But I'm trying to improve my braking technique by learning how to apply the brakes only on one side, or even diagonally (front right along with left rear) to help recover when another driver pulls out of a blind driveway in front of me on a snow covered road putting me in a nasty skid.

I just can't seem to master that "skilled driver" ability to be able to use one foot on one brake pedal to allow braking force directed only to the tire or tires that have sufficient traction to help the situation. Maybe if I took my shoe off?

DeTitan · 09-20-2005, 08:16 PM

On a vehicle blessed with lots of torque VDC is a good thing skilled or not.

As Martha would say its a good thing!

Some other manufacturer calls it ESP or electronic stability program.

If you want to hot rod and pull 180s or 360s in the snow or dirt then turn it off else it may be best to leave it on, but then we are all individuals eh!

**Kronos1965** · 09-20-2005, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KTMNealio

If you are a very skilled driver, VDC is a hinderance IMHO. However, it probably benefits over 1/2 the drivers out there..

- Nealio

What?

So you're saying you can apply brakes a couple thousand times a second to avoid skidding?

And you can identify which wheels are losing traction and apply less gas/downshift to regain traction faster than the VDC?

Show me an insurance company that believes that a human is better at making those decisions than a computer.

The only way VDC would be a hindrance would be if you are trying to break loose the vehicle for some fun or try to squeal the tires. VDC would be a hindrance.

It will only engage when there's a reason to do so.

Not trying to flame but certainly disagree that a driver performs better without VDC.

Tyltan · 09-20-2005, 08:47 PM

VDC had saved me and my family last winter. We went to Big Bear for ski. I saw Escalate (sp?), Honda Prelude, Corvette, and other vehicles slided side way. My titan with VDC on and we had no problem driving in slippery road. The light will flash on your dash when it's working.

Titan Power · 09-20-2005, 10:08 PM

Many of you guys are right and wrong about VDC at the same time.

First off, VDC has no influence on gas mileage.

VDC can help save your rear if you get out of shape, and can help you recover from a skid better then you could without. Unless your truck has four brake pedals and you can work them all at the same time, it can exhibit more control over the trucks attitude then even the best driver could.

That said, to a good driver VDC is a hinderance to maximum performance. It interferes too often and earlier then needed for a good driver. While it will help even a good driver avoid a spin, they certainly won't set any record lap times with it on. But it can also be argued that a good driver can avoid situations where they need VDC to save them. I think that the greatest benefit on our trucks is when you are pulling a trailer and the trailer tries to push the truck. Maybe that's why it was part of the big tow package.

I have driven a few cars with basicly the same system as ours on an autocross track. A BMW 530i, Mercedes C320, Caddy CTS and STS. All had the Bosch system, but were tuned diffferently. The BMW was in full nanny mode, and the car was slow and no fun. The Mercedes was better, but the Caddy systems were set up to allow a lot more slip. I also went for a fun run with a professional driver in the CTS. He was showing off, and put the car into a tank slapper after a slalom. I tought we were going to spin, as the car was past the point where he should have been able to steer out of the slide. You could feel the system go to work and he caught it. He admitted that the system saved him.