Brought the RX8 out on track recently for the first time. All went pretty well except that after a while the ABS and traction control lights came on and stayed on until I let the car cool down.

I'm guessing the ABS light could be caused by overheating brake fluid (hasn't been changed in the 1.5 yrs I have the car so gonna change that soon), but could this also cause the traction control light to stay on? It's been fine since so I immagine it was something overheating, but just curious as to what exactly.

 

I've tracked with the issues you descibe, and I'd come into the pits and restart to reset the DSC.

The brakes are very good, and I don't think I've ever set the light off by the heat or even if its possible.

The DSC on the 8 doesn't interfer with your driving unless tires are slipping, but likes all 4 tires to be same brand and size (which also means close to same wear as a worn tire can be up to 2% smaller).

I tried to run with new 225/40r18 in front and worn 225/45r18 in back which is about 1.5% smaller on the 40 series. On the street everything was fine, but on the track the DSC even caused me to spin at 30mph so I turned it off that day, and hung the tail out.

Also, my 07 GT 6spd AUTO was even slipping the rears when turning and setting off the DSC, so I aligned to straighten up the rear excess neg camber from -2.1 to the minimum I could get on both sides: -1.65 and slight toe in with me in the car.

Now, I can't lose traction under acceleration (unless wet); only braking or cornering, and the lights only come on if I've really gotten careless.

 

I've the same brand (and wear) tyres all round, so it wouldn't be that. It was a wet day though and the track was very slippery, so both the DSC and ABS were being engaged a lot. Maybe it just reached a point where it had enough so the lights just stayed on until they were reset?

 

dont track with DSC on, you will get problems like this...

In all years I have tracked my rex i have had it off, except for heavy rain and I havent hade any of these problems.

DSC on rx-8 are quite crappy and shall always be OFF. otherwise you cook your brakes and throw of PCM errors.

 

Thanks for that. Will keep it in mind next time.