Hi,

I was just looking at an auto tech website, and they were discussing suspension/wheel/brake changes.

The gist of it was that there will be restrictions on on what you can do in these areas due to all of the stability control electronics. Apparently, some of it will be federally regulated. Could include such things as upgraded brake pads.

The out that they were discussing was a certified 'kit' -- much like the emissions certified performance devices. ( I think that that's still required).

Not entirely convinced about stability controls myself, but somebody is.

hj

 

2004 research was fairly dramatic, but inconclusive due to sample size and limited manufacturers with ESC:

Preliminary Results Analyzing The Effectiveness Of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Systems

2010 paper cites several studies, all pointing to good results with ESC:

http://www.iihs.org/research/topics/pdf/r1139.pdf

Those things are hard to wade through, but eventually the numbers show up in black and white.

There have been a few threads on here where lifts have goofed up ESC. Seems like there is a way to reset the computer to the new heights and roll centers. Maybe.

Complicates things, that's for sure. Hard to argue against fewer dead people though.....

 

Thanks -- I'll have to look that stuff over. I wonder if they've given any thought to accidents that might have been caused by ESC.

Several things do bother me
1. At some point your vehicle changes behavior in an unexpected manner.
2. I don't know that all systems function in the same manner
3. Descriptions in tech areas lead me to think that these are complex and precision systems -- not sure what will happen as they age.
4. No emergency override in some cases. I'd like to be able to blow it off if I thought that was the right thing to do. It would be OK with me if there was a record of that.
5. No standardized performance test available to the normal consumer ( that I know of) to make sure that the system is working correctly.

Anyway, thanks for the informed response.

hj

 

I have it in my pickup. No pitching the tail out in corners. Kills all the fun of a wet day....

 

A friend was blaming ESC for causing him to loose control and end up in a ditch in wet weather and wondering why there was no disable switch. First, his 2007 Honda doesnt have ESC, second, he later admitted that the tires were bald. He is not young and should have known better. Even these electronic "nannies" can only do so much.

 

Even the most sophisticated control systems can't foresee, neutralize or correct a poor driver and/or all situations. When ABS first came onto the scene there was little education at the new car sales point familiarizing owners how it did and did not work. Most drove it as they normally would and those who came to rely on it as a cure all got themselves into trouble quite quickly. A local sheriff was killed in a collision, partially due him not understanding how ABS worked.

To me once we've learned how a particular vehicle's chassis dynamics apply we're probably better able to control things much better than a non-enthusiast can in an overly-equipped whatever. We understand what might happen, prepare for the worst case scenario and drive accordingly. Who here doesn't constantly check their mirrors, even on an empty road? That's just one great example.

I want full manual control over most everything----makes me feel in control and not just pointing a computer down the road at 65 MPH weighing 7800#!

 

My Boss 302 has three modes. Fully on, "Sport Mode," and Off. With it fully on, which is every startup, it will not allow you to get sideways around a corner or do much tire spinning. In Sport Mode you can get the back end out but it will likely save you before you spin it. It's saved me a few times at the track as I get used to specific corners and how hard I can get on the throttle at corner exit. All off is just what it sounds like.

Plenty of people, including me, have pulled out into traffic quickly and the car thinks you're getting out of shape so it kills fuel... right after you pulled out in front of someone. Pretty lame. I either give the button the double-tap to go sport mode if it's cold out, or hold the button for five seconds with foot on the brake and clutch in normal driving weather. I'm used to the car for the most part now that I've got 25,000 miles on it, but I still do the first session at a track in Sport Mode. Oh and you can confuse the system on a huge sweeping high speed freeway on-ramp. It'll start stabbing at the brakes a little. Weird. Another reason to turn it off. Funny story, my friend bought a 2011 GT500 and couldn't do doughnuts. He was freaking out when he brought it right back to the dealership. They showed him the system and his panic attack subsided.

Sport Mode allowed my friend to get a little out of shape around turn 6 at Laguna Seca IN MY CAR.


And for the record, I just put Ford Racing lowered springs from the Boss 302S race car on mine and there's no issue with compatibility. Even if I go to other adjustable struts there's no issue with today's car. Tomorrow might be different though.



Oooooh nice spring compressor Kevin!!!



Also had a chance to double tap the button on the ultra rare GT350 in the middle here. The owner hadn't driven a Boss so I threw him my keys. He threw his back!

I gotta get me one of these 624 HP bad boys !