slimjim Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 After reading a few threads on here, I have been turning off my TCS all week. The car feels SO much nicer! No bogging in 2nd plus, before on certain corners when I was being a little brisk, rather than cutting power, the power stays on but the wheels DON'T spin either. Presuming this is down to the tires. Tried a few times to let them spin a little, just so I know where the limit is. But without trying WAY harder than I would on public roads, I couldn't get the PS2's to spin up. Decided to ALWAYS turn it off when I get in the car..... Then.... This morning, pulling out of the swimming poll car park this morning. Been raining while I was swimming. Turned right up a hill on loose/wet tarmac and she let go Let's put it like this... "I ran out of talent" ... Ended up pointing a little towards the wrong side of the road. No-one was about, but that's not the point. The point is... TCS OFF in the dry with good tires.... But ON in the wet, well till I get some more talent anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordGrover Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 Sensible advice. Plenty of wannabe-racers out there think it's big and 'ard, but the aids are there to help out most of the time. I enjoy flicking it off when I'm in the mood for some fun, but mostly it's on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky370z Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 hahaha, love your honesty. i always keep mine on (until i know i can give some beans) its just easier. i too, have had a few moments when the ESP is off and road was wet. so i always keep it on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The G Man Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 I'm that talentless and gormless for that matter, that I keep it on on a dry track But sound advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjim Posted June 17, 2011 Author Share Posted June 17, 2011 I think it is mostly just because I am used to driving with it on. So I CAN bury the loud pedal and nothing happens. I need to drive it more with the TCS OFF, so I can get used to feeling when and where it is going to let go... And therefore have more/better car control. Thing is, I was always only using the Zed as a stepping stone to a TVR... If I DO go for that, I will need to learn to drive with no TCS, ABS, airbags etc pretty smartish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 Oh dear! Husky's warning coming out loud and clear there I have been testing this week also! I like running mine with TCS off in the dry, as soon as the rain comes down though it goes straight back on again. I still think the TCS is over protective in the dry though, I tested that exit from my work car park over the course of this week, with TCS on I get it cutting in even when giving it about 80% yet when its off and doing the same the wheels are not spinning nor are the close to spinning either. I am also a light right footer, I didnt realise it until this week but I barely throttle at all when I drive, I drove from home to work this morning without pushing the throttle more than a quarter the way down, max revs about 4000, when I pull away I use about 1500-2000 revs max but the car 'feels' a lot smoother a ride with the TCS off even when driving at these low revs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjim Posted June 17, 2011 Author Share Posted June 17, 2011 Oh dear! Husky's warning coming out loud and clear there I have been testing this week also! He is a wise GIT isn't he I like running mine with TCS off in the dry, as soon as the rain comes down though it goes straight back on again. I still think the TCS is over protective in the dry though, I tested that exit from my work car park over the course of this week, with TCS on I get it cutting in even when giving it about 80% yet when its off and doing the same the wheels are not spinning nor are the close to spinning either. I am also a light right footer, I didnt realise it until this week but I barely throttle at all when I drive, I drove from home to work this morning without pushing the throttle more than a quarter the way down, max revs about 4000, when I pull away I use about 1500-2000 revs max but the car 'feels' a lot smoother a ride with the TCS off even when driving at these low revs. I agree that it is over protective in the dry. but then it uses the same settings in the wet and it has saved me once or twice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjim Posted June 17, 2011 Author Share Posted June 17, 2011 As a side note.... I have noticed since turning the TCS off, my MPG has PLUMMETED... from 26-28ish... to 20-22ish! Maybe that is just because I am pushing slightly more with the TCS off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 I think you were just leaden footed pal I never touched TCS in the first month of ownership, then recently started trying it out without TCS and nothing has changed on the MPG front for me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjim Posted June 17, 2011 Author Share Posted June 17, 2011 recently started trying it out without TCS and nothing has changed on the MPG front for me? Just my heavy right foot then Tam says I am going into roundabouts hotter now. I guess I better calm down for my MPG's sake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 Both my MR2 roadster and the S2000 had no TCS or driver aids; and i drove both through the winter, the MR2 was intersting as well as it was mid engined. and it was the car i learnt the hard way with driving limits etc. nothing wrong with no TCS you just need to make sure you know how to drive it. as i and husky have said nefore, leave it on in the wet, turn it off in the dry. or if your not confident or inexperienced in RWD then leave it on all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjim Posted June 17, 2011 Author Share Posted June 17, 2011 as i and husky have said nefore, leave it on in the wet, turn it off in the dry. or if your not confident or inexperienced in RWD then leave it on all the time. Amen... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilp Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 Haha I turn mine off in the wet lol. In the dry my traction control doesn't really interfere at all but in the wet it's a pain. On track with it on, from my experience, it allows me to go a little bit sideways before slapping the wrist. The G man's 370z traction control interferes quite alot from what he said about it in Wales. He was out in mines with it on and I'm sure he'll agree it only interferes to save you when being silly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 the MR2 was intersting as well as it was mid engined. and it was the car i learnt the hard way with driving limits etc. Really, I thought you learnt it the roundabout way OH YES I DID GO THERE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjim Posted June 17, 2011 Author Share Posted June 17, 2011 the MR2 was intersting as well as it was mid engined. and it was the car i learnt the hard way with driving limits etc. Really, I thought you learnt it the roundabout way OH YES I DID GO THERE Really do need to thank Dan AGAIN for telling me to get these tires... Cheers Ekona! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 Ive been drifting for 7/8 years so am probably a bit more used to the ole sidewaysness than most. The first thing I do when I get in is turn the TCS off - IMO when you are pressing on its more of a hindrance than anything as it changes the balance of the car when it kicks in. The braking on the front wheels is a horrible, horrible thing and if I knew how to stop it I would, if you are right on the limit you dont need more load on the outside wheel all of a sudden. That said, I wont let the missus drive with it turned off at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilp Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 Do you drift the zed docrwa? Do you do it professionally ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 One question - for those of you that have TCS off and say this is becuase TCS kicks in before the tyres are spinning - how do you know this? Also if you set TCS off on the road - due to braking traction - do you not think you are driving beyond your and the cars limits at that point? In theory if you drive within the limits of traction you should never see the TCS light, and on the road you shouldnt be pushing anything near the limit of traction. My 2p and most learn it the hard way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 tee hee, sorry Rich Both my MR2 roadster and the S2000 had no TCS or driver aids; and i drove both through the winter, the MR2 was intersting as well as it was mid engined. and it was the car i learnt the hard way with driving limits etc. nothing wrong with no TCS you just need to make sure you know how to drive it. as i and husky have said nefore, leave it on in the wet, turn it off in the dry. or if your not confident or inexperienced in RWD then leave it on all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 One question - for those of you that have TCS off and say this is becuase TCS kicks in before the tyres are spinning - how do you know this? Also if you set TCS off on the road - due to braking traction - do you not think you are driving beyond your and the cars limits at that point? In theory if you drive within the limits of traction you should never see the TCS light, and on the road you shouldnt be pushing anything near the limit of traction. My 2p and most learn it the hard way. See my previous post, try as I might I can't get my wheels to spin out of the works car park onto the A4 with it off. Yet with it on the TCS kicks in very quickly with the same level of boot applied. I have no idea why, is it actually a problem with my TCS? I havent yet spun my wheels in nearly 3 months of ownership with the TCS off, yet with it on it keeps interfering, I can feel the car lose power or start to slow when I least need it to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimjim Posted June 17, 2011 Author Share Posted June 17, 2011 See my previous post, try as I might I can't get my wheels to spin out of the works car park onto the A4 with it off. Yet with it on the TCS kicks in very quickly with the same level of boot applied. I have no idea why, is it actually a problem with my TCS? I havent yet spun my wheels in nearly 3 months of ownership with the TCS off, yet with it on it keeps interfering, I can feel the car lose power or start to slow when I least need it to. Same here... Round about near my house, put the boot in as you exit... in second as you are coming off it and the TCS cuts the power... Do it with it off, same power, same aggression, wheels don't spin at all.... grip, grip and lots more grip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfman Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 Both my MR2 roadster and the S2000 had no TCS or driver aids; and i drove both through the winter, the MR2 was intersting as well as it was mid engined. and it was the car i learnt the hard way with driving limits etc. nothing wrong with no TCS you just need to make sure you know how to drive it. as i and husky have said nefore, leave it on in the wet, turn it off in the dry. or if your not confident or inexperienced in RWD then leave it on all the time. my friend did the same in his MR2 roadster, he did have a camry V6 in it though lol, but still, i had a mk2 mr2 and with no TCS it's a good way to learn how the car handles and the limits of grip. If your sensible enoguh you shouldnt need TCS on in the wet as you won't be giving it any beans. Couldn't agree more with it kicking in earlier, i was just last night do this test, with TCS on it'd kick in, do exactly the same with it off and you just grip.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 Do you drift the zed docrwa? Do you do it professionally ? I have been known to 8 sets of rear tyres in the first 13 months kinda suggests that I have done, though I try not to now Ive got 19's on the back. Im not in competition as I dont have the time (Im too competitive anyway, cant stand losing and Im not good enough to win ) but I am certainly "pretty good" - I can drift in 4th gear and have seen entry speeds of over 100mph, and Im quite happy twin/triple/train drifting with people As Ive said before, when you are happy going round a private roundabout on the lockstops banging off the limiter in 3rd, a bit of a TCS flash isnt quite such a concern. If you dont ever see the light then IMO you arent using the car to its capability - I saw it on my first test drive Like a rev limiter its there for a reason, its not a bad thing if it flashes up. The TCS is definitely a bit too quick to come in, but its a safety device and as such works well. Ive known a couple of lads with MK IV Supras get to 90 degrees before it kicks in, and you can imagine what happens then ............ Remember, youve got traction control under your right foot as well ............ ITs actually a pretty safe car to slide, its very square on the road, progressive and predictable when comared to an S2K or even an RX8 - I think a lot of drivers would benefit from some additional training as I think you would be suprised just how capable these cars are Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 Yes but how do you know the tyres aren't spinning? TCS can measure front wheel speed vs rear wheel speed to determine if rear wheels are spinning (Ie rotating faster than the fronts), how can you tell? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 I had an Astra 1.8i with traction control, it kicked in less than the 350z for sure, I spun my wheels on more occasions with that car than with the Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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