[Poll]Electronic Stability Control

[SSSnail]

I can turn traction control and stability control as well as any other controls off at will, so having them on the car is good when you're not in for some "spirited" driving.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: shabby
And in winter esc/abs is a life saver.

I hear that a lot. But I have never, not once in my life, had ABS kick in on any car I've been driving, regardless of conditions. You know why? Because I don't drive like a goddamn idiot. The only times I've had traction control kick in were when I was trying to spin the tires and didn't want it to kick in.

I don't buy that ABS or ESC/Traction Control are anything close to necessary. Yes, if you're driving on the edge of the envelope then they can be handy, but you're a damned fool if you're driving like that on public roads. We'd be immeasurably better off if we simply revoked idiots' licenses, but for some incomprehensible reason we seem to be more focused on inventing computer systems to help keep dangerous morons behind the wheel. It's completely ass-backwards.

ZV

:thumbsup:

Agreed.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: shabby
And in winter esc/abs is a life saver.

I hear that a lot. But I have never, not once in my life, had ABS kick in on any car I've been driving, regardless of conditions. You know why? Because I don't drive like a goddamn idiot. The only times I've had traction control kick in were when I was trying to spin the tires and didn't want it to kick in.

I don't buy that ABS or ESC/Traction Control are anything close to necessary. Yes, if you're driving on the edge of the envelope then they can be handy, but you're a damned fool if you're driving like that on public roads. We'd be immeasurably better off if we simply revoked idiots' licenses, but for some incomprehensible reason we seem to be more focused on inventing computer systems to help keep dangerous morons behind the wheel. It's completely ass-backwards.

ZV

:thumbsup:

Agreed.

:thumbsdown:

Disagree.

 

[SparkyJJO]

As long as the ESC can be turned off. But it isn't a necessary thing, I get around in the winter in my RWD camaro with an open differential without any sort of ESC. Yeah I've gotten the car stuck a couple times, but ESC would do no good when you're bottomed out.

ESC can make winter driving easier I suppose, but then people rely on that system too much and get themselves into trouble. It is funny how many 4WD/AWD vehicles that I pass that are off the road in the ditch because of that kind of thinking.

 

[RGUN]

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
As long as the ESC can be turned off. But it isn't a necessary thing, I get around in the winter in my RWD camaro with an open differential without any sort of ESC. Yeah I've gotten the car stuck a couple times, but ESC would do no good when you're bottomed out.

ESC can make winter driving easier I suppose, but then people rely on that system too much and get themselves into trouble. It is funny how many 4WD/AWD vehicles that I pass that are off the road in the ditch because of that kind of thinking.

Please, I have a hard time believing that you were able to convince yourself that people drive like idiots because they feel like they have an electronic nany that will take over in case of an emergency. They drive like idiots because they are idiots. I guarantee you 90% of them dont even know they have any sort of traction control/esc. This is not aimed solely at you, you were just the last to mention it. You present a terrible case mind you... you state that you find it funny how many 4WD/AWD vehicles that you pass in the ditch because of that thinking (presumably the thinking that ESC will save them)... what the heck does 4WD/AWD have to do with ESC.... zero correlation

I laugh when people tell me they get in the car and immediately turn ESC/TC off because they are better drivers or they might want to have some fun. Do they think those items are there to supplement driver skill? Its one thing to have the necessary facilities to correct errors when you are pushing the limit, but in situations like those you are fully prepared and 100% concentrating on any movement to stop them right away... ESC was not designed (in most cases) to help in this situation! It is there for when you are caught completely off guard and need to react NOW without thinking. For instance, I was driving our Z3 turning off a highway, 80km/h speed limit, lights ahead, advanced green for me, I slowed down to 30 or so and started making the turn, little did I know there had recently been an accident in the intersection and oil had been spilled all over the road, the rear end started to slide out - it caught me completely off guard, and I definitely counter steered, but it was well after the ESC had intervened and helped maintain control.

We dont drive on prepped race tracks! Situations beyond our control CAN adversly affect our ability to maintan control. Any statement that ESC (on public roads!) is not a good idea without adequate proof (which has so far not been offered) is simply a contest in manliness.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6

http://www.veta.se/abs66ice.htm

Results
Substantial differences between vehicles
On the harsh ice track (C), the average deceleration with Used Summer tyres and No ABS was less than 50% of that with New Studded snow tyres and ABS switched on.
In a situation where both cars start braking from the same point, this corresponds to the inferior car having three quarters left of the initial speed where the superior car has stopped completely.

What kind of test is that?

 

[LTC8K6]

What kind of test is that?

You find it odd that used tires and no ABS took much longer to stop than studded tires with ABS?

Or you don't know why they bothered to compare?

Or what?

They did a pretty comprehensive test and it showed that ABS helps ordinary drivers, on pretty much all winter surfaces, with various types of tires. ABS even helped on smooth ice without studs, apparently.

Your mileage may vary, of course.