After reading many posts, I've been driving the car with the DSC off and on. After watching the videos from Japan (see Taka's posts) of high-speed cornering on a flat, wet track, it is evident that the DSC can SAVE YOU from an uncontrolled spin-out, but may not keep you from going off the road. I nearly lost it (minor fish-tail) accelerating into a turn aggressively with the DSC off (I let off the gas for an instant while counter-steering, then gunned it...right thing to do? well, it worked). With DSC on, the car is definitely more tame, but much, much safer during cornering. Experience helps, and the one concern I have for new drivers of the RX8 is that the car can make one too confident and 'encourages' one to take too many risks! I like my car too and my life too much to risk turning the DSC off, especially for long trips and at times when fatigue can set in. I'd love to try drifting in a controlled environment (track), but don't want to pay for the tires or risk my baby!

 

Benthic

After the wet (soaking) track day yesterday, I think the DSC have a major road on wet road. I have driven on the track on the dry before but in the wet. The RE040 is very skiddish. I lost it in the 2nd gear corner with turning in oversteering.

I am not as skillful as the guys in the video, and also they did this on a skid pad. In the wet track day. I will be having the DSC on for sure. It is still a lot of fun and can drift to a certain point. It is nearly fool proof.

 

My DSC clearly saved me and my son from a wreck. Going around a corner at a reasonable rate of speed--so I thought. Suddenly, I hit a loose layer of dirt/sand on the asphault and in my experiences with my previous RWD cars w/o DSC-TCS I should have slid out of my lane, possibly spinning round and round, and into oncoming traffic.

DSC took over and we made it through the slick stuff with out a scratch. I told my son to "hold on" and when it was over he said "what for".

I'll probably keep DSC ON most of the time.

 

MyGreatRenesis:

The important thing is you and your brothers are ok.

If you have the time, may I recommend going to a local track and taking performance driving lessons. It will greatly help you understand about power slides and how to handle the car properly in similar situations.

I would also definitely recommend keeping your DSC on any wet conditons.

I turn my DSC/TSC off only during the day and dry conditions.

Again, I am glad you are ok!

 

Sorry for your loss bro. I'm a 38 yr old driver who's done darn near everything in a vehicle except crash. I'm not claiming to be a pro or such just very lucky as I think back to some of my crazier stunts <what was I thinking!> but believe many who talk about turning DSC off are risking similar accidents. I know you pro's out there can give many reasons to the benefits of this & I've read quite a few of your posts on the subject. My belief is DSC is a wonderful thing which makes our RX-8 amazingly stable & corrects mistakes faster than we can make them. Mazda put a switch for us which I'm glad for....gets me outta my snow covered driveway & lets me do the occasional burnout but shortly after DSC is back on. I like to think DSC as a copilot who keeps me on the pavement & allows me exercise performance safely. I'll get there a second behind the "Pro's" with DSC but I'll get there smiling

 

Taka... you're studying pathology??? you must have nerves of steel!

 

thats what I am getting (not Mazdaspeed though) winning blue lower front bumper, since some tire retread attacked my front end....

sorry about your car MyGreatRenesis.

 

I am a recent owner of an AT 8...base car, no options. I've read many positives about the virtues of the DSC and it sounds very positive. My wife and I didn't want to get the sports package (stiffer ride, etc.) as my wife and I intend to use the car for everyday driving. We won't be driving agressively (did that 25 years ago with our 73 vette) but my question is, "Is the base RX8 that overly skiddish in everyday driving that the DSC is an absolute must?" I've haven't detected anything unusual thus far. PS: That old vette was a disaster for holding the road..

 

Wow, Im going to get used to my DSC/TCS. And when my Bridgeported 1979 rx7 is finished I might forget and get over confident. I have spun my 79 up in Ft. lewis wa. on a wet road before, but never with a 260 hp engine in it.

 

There is no reason a car cannot be driven safely with the DSC/TCS system off but it depends on your experience and previous cars you have had.

There are many people who have had only front wheel drive cars before before hand. Front wheel drive cars are so easy to drive and compensate for oversteer, don't fishtail, etc. Well, at least not nearly as easily.

However, if you are going to turn you DSC off then use caution. Slow down before curves and slightly accelerate. Don't slam the throttle on. And if your backend starts to slide out, slowly let off on the accelerator. Do not try to turn the wheel the completely opposite direction of the slide or you are going to wreck.

The key is to practice everything slowly and then slowly increase your speeds and find out the speeds you can handle safely.

If you are not sure about driving a high hp, RWD car without traction control, then leave the DSC on!

Again, I can tell you that performance driving lessons are a fantastic way to learn how to drive such a car!!

Dean