Drive with stabilitrak off?

[Angelsilhouette]

Originally Posted by cab2g

They call it the Normalcy Bias Just because it hasn't happened before, people think that it can't/won't happen to them. Unfortunately, sometimes when you make a big enough mistake, that was your only chance. Just because you've safely performed a burn out and other high speed maneuvers without being harmed doesn't mean that there won't be one time in which that same maneuver won't get you into trouble.

It's like the old motorcyclist saying, it's not IF you'll wipe out; it's WHEN.

I had my when, already, with that one big scare. I admit that I was being careless and was not driving responsibly at all. I thought I was the Stig and could easily have payed the ultimate price for it. Luckily, for my wipe out, no one was hurt, nothing was damaged and all I came away with was huge embarrassment. So now, regardless of how good I used to believe I was at drifting and burn outs, I just leave the traction control on. Sure it might have been a fluke and I might never encounter that situation, again; but there's no way for me to know that, and that Camaro is large enough to do someone outside of my car grievous harm if it happens again.

[SGOS252382]

And some guys are trying to set their cars up so the TC and Stabilitrac are automatically turned off. They don't like the fact that the TC and Stabilitrac are on when they start their cars.

Unless your 100% racing your car, I don't understand the reasoning.

[SleepWarz]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

Thank you for your post............

THIS is why I constantly 'harp' at people to stop turning off the traction control and stabilitrak! Yes, there are times when it's appropriate (most of the time, it should be turned off only on a road course or a track......)

You are proof that people can have years of experience and a safe driving record...........and then something completely unexpected happens.....

Luckily for you and your Camaro and the driving public, no one was hurt.....but unfortunately that's not always the case.

Take it from someone who has been driving for 40+ years and has gone thru more than a dozen hi-performance driving schools: none of us are as good as we think we are - and when we THINK we are that good, reality has a tendency to jump in and prove us wrong!

I don't post this to upset people or belittle them - I do it BECAUSE I CARE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR CAMARO AND ALL OF THE PEOPLE YOU ARE PUTTING AT RISK by turning off the traction control and/or stabilitrak!!!!

Because computers function without error forever.

Sorry fbod, but even in my camaro in the rain I turn the stuff off because my abs on my left rear locks up/flutters in standing water with the systems on. Absolutely tired of fighting with my dealer over issues like this. They cant even replicate an exhaust rattle...

I do not trust computers, and believe you are at risk by relying on these systems. People who dont know what to do when there are no systems to save them are FAR FAR more dangerous than someone who has some experience with out. How about we just drive and respect the conditions and the road, without trying to compromise our entire god damn experience with overbearing systems designed for INCOMPETENT people. If stabillitrack and tc were OPTIONS I would not care, not enjoying this forced garbage that causes far more problems than good in the long run.

Conversley, it did keep me out of the ditch when I was passing on a 2lane and the camper decided to cut into the middle of the road into my passing lane forcing half the car off the road while standing on the breaks. I do believe ST and TC saved my ass from going sideways on the shoulder with 2 wheels still being on the road. Just being that I work on computers alot, I do not trust them to be there for me when I need them.

And if there wasnt so much torque management I would leave it on. Not enjoying the computer deciding to let me go when it feels like it.

[Hetfield03]

Theres been computers in cars for decades...

[SleepWarz]

Indeed, and how many cars out there are just gotten rid of because of a stupid computer or electrical issue?

[SolarFlare]

Originally Posted by SleepWarz

Because computers function without error forever.

Sorry fbod, but even in my camaro in the rain I turn the stuff off because my abs on my left rear locks up/flutters in standing water with the systems on. Absolutely tired of fighting with my dealer over issues like this. They cant even replicate an exhaust rattle...

I do not trust computers, and believe you are at risk by relying on these systems. People who dont know what to do when there are no systems to save them are FAR FAR more dangerous than someone who has some experience with out. How about we just drive and respect the conditions and the road, without trying to compromise our entire god damn experience with overbearing systems designed for INCOMPETENT people. If stabillitrack and tc were OPTIONS I would not care, not enjoying this forced garbage that causes far more problems than good in the long run.

Conversley, it did keep me out of the ditch when I was passing on a 2lane and the camper decided to cut into the middle of the road into my passing lane forcing half the car off the road while standing on the breaks. I do believe ST and TC saved my ass from going sideways on the shoulder with 2 wheels still being on the road. Just being that I work on computers alot, I do not trust them to be there for me when I need them.

And if there wasnt so much torque management I would leave it on. Not enjoying the computer deciding to let me go when it feels like it.

It was my understanding this was primarily TC eating at your torque, if this is the case why not at least leave on the stability control?

[cab2g]

I just wonder, who really needs all the torque while driving on public roads? With TC on, I can still pass any car with ease. I can still get the back end to slide out somewhat.

The only things I can't do are a burn out and get a 0-60 time in the 4 second range. I just don't see the need to keep it off. I never felt less safe with it on in inclement weather. The only time brakes are applied is when your wheels are spinning. If ABS is kicking in when its raining then the computer is sensing substantial wheel spin or wheel lock when stopping. (if the computer is actually not functioning as designed, then by all means have it repaired) Believe it or not, computers are much more reliable than humans. Thats why companies constantly strive to remove the possibility of human-error from their processes by increasing automation, documentation, and simplifications. The computers rarely make mistakes, certainly much less often than humans do (if at all in many cases).

I agree 100% that depending upon computers to do something you can do yourself does make a worse driver. But I do ask, what are you doing that would even require the computer to intervene? Do you do it daily? If so, sure keep it off, but if you're just driving to the store, a club meeting, or your daughter's dance recital, then why would you care to have it off?

[fbodfather]

Originally Posted by SleepWarz

Indeed, and how many cars out there are just gotten rid of because of a stupid computer or electrical issue?

The numbers are very few - and when you consider what you get BECAUSE of computers versus not having them......I'll take 'em every time.

Without computers, most cars would have gas mileage in the single digits - they would be far more polluting -and their driveability would be mediocre at best............

Frankly, computers are many many many more times more reliable than carburetors and linkages and hydraulic brake proportioning and such......... The data proves this over and over and over again.

[formare]

Traction Control and Stability Control are two different animals.

I can see turning off TC to do a fun little burnout in a straight line - when conditions are such that it is safe. But why turn off stability control for that?

Maybe at the track - a track course known well to you, you might get slightly better times by turning off stability control. Not likely though. For the record I had both turned off. Having just the TC off likley woulda got the same results I was looking for, without the loss of control.

Reminds me of a quote - "everything is fine until it is not" I can see why you would say "everything is fine" i do not need the nanny to destroy my chance at fun. but what about that one time when everything is fine and then sudenly.......... it is not.

[SolarFlare]

That's my question why not just leave stability control on? Surely, it cannot leech that much fun from driving the beast....

[Z28RockStar]

Look computers are bad mmkay? OMG wait I think I'm looking at this thread with a computer! >.<

[mhood]

I'm guilty. I turn mine off every once in a while. I like the connected (old school) feel. A rolling punch in first or second is fun...a bit of low speed butt wiggle and it helps sell tires.

[FastEddie]

+1

[ronss]

when u fishtail always turn the wheel to the direction of the spin