tcs modulates the trottle and timing, dsc brakes the outside wheel in a slide. it feels like ABS and the light will flash on the dash.

are you sure you have dsc?

 

if u do have DSC... try sliding... then try turning it off and sliding... and then try sliding w/o DSC and TCS(hold DSC button for 7+ sec)...

 

I've had DSC kick in when getting a bit squirrely during turns. For instance, get into a right hander a bit too hot, then lift off the throttle about halfway through. As you feel the rear start to come around, DSC will kick in and straighten you (well, in the direction of your steering input so make sure to correct as the rear comes about).

 

the tcs/dsc computer will only brake the wheels as a last option, since most sliding occurs when inexpierenced drivers just mash the gas too early in a turn. if you're making a u turn from a stop, that's all you can do. TSC can be active to a point without the light, especially if you're easing onto the gas.

try this (if you really wanna feel what it feels like):

find an open, safe parking lot and get up to like 40 mph. without braking, let off the gas quickly and cut the wheel (initiate lift off oversteer). not so hard it understeers (although that will engage DSC too), but just enough to swing the unloaded rear around. you'll feel and hear a clunking noise from the rear of the car, and the car will simply stop rotating as the car brakes the outside rear wheel. thats DSC (dynamic SPIN control).

trust me, when it kicks in, you'll know. at the dragon all 20 of us drove for a good 30 minutes and the light never stopped flashing.

 

Just find some snow to drive in. Then you'll really feel it.

But as others have said, if it kicks in, you will feel it and hear it.

 

Drive in tight circles, on a wet ground if possible. First you'll feel the car step out, then you feel that "something" is putting back on track - that's the DSC.

It works very subtle in the 8, you get away with harmless actions (at low speed), but it kicks in strong in critical situations. I took a driver training a few months ago and the trainer couldn't believe it, he told me he'd never seen a car before that has such good control mechanisms.

 

when does the TCS kick in?

what are its main features?

Is it more beneficail to keep these options turned off?

thanks

 

I wouldn't consider it very subtle - when DSC grabs the outside wheel's caliper you feel and hear it and your 'drift' comes to an abrupt halt. TCS is more subtle by reducing throttle without interfering with it too much, unless you're in a wet/ice/snow condition, then it reduces power to a limp if you stay on the throttle. I'm not knocking our system, but it's not as graceful as others I've driven (BMW for instance).

 

The PCM needs to realize a 3 mph difference in speed coming from any of the 4 wheels to activate DSC/TCS. It works in conjunction with the ABS and ignition system to reduce wheelspin and throttle. It's VERY invasive when it kicks in, but it is not a lifesaver. You'll hear a grunt from the rear of the vehicle and it will kill the throttle all together. I get the flashing light and a small grunt when I shift into 3rd at 9,000 rpm. Nice to know she's TRYING to spin the tires in 3rd.

I don't care for it too much though. It kicked in when I was in a VERY mild skid and straightened me out right into a freaking tree. If this would not have happened I would have ended up facing the other direction instead.

 

And all this time I thought it was my fantastic skill and reflexes

I've intentionally kicked the rear out a few times in the rain (tight corner intersection, slow speed, no other cars or nearby trees, etc.)... and it is VERY abrupt when it snaps back in line.

The interesting thing about the DSC is there's no "fishtailing." That is, the rear doesn't oscillate back-and-forth like a pendulum... it just goes straight like god reached down and set things right.

Still, you can get it REALLY sideways before the electronics kick in. It might help you get out of a mess, but it won't help you avoid getting into one.

The TC system is pointless, IMHO. I can spin the tires to the point of wheel hop without the TC kicking in. Starting out on wet, gravel-covered hills still relies on a delicate foot to avoid spinning the tires.

I'm really curious what snow driving is gonna be like

 

which wheel does DSC break when let say ur doing a tight right corner and give it a little gas... it should break the left side wheels right? but which one does it break? the front left or rear left?

 

the dsc uses the abs brake sensors to tell whether or not the front wheels are spinning the same speed as the rear. for instance, if you brake hard and lock up your front wheels you will feel the brake start to pulse. if the sensors "realize" the rear wheels are spinning faster then the front and the brake is not applied. that is when the dsc kicks in. i believe someone posted a 3mph difference. that rear end sliding you describe was not the dsc kicking in. my 8 does not have dsc and i can do the same thing. its called oversteer

 

i've done a full 720 spin with it on...nothings going to stop 1500lbs of rotating steel if you're hard enough on the controls. DSC wont save you when you're being a dumbass, but if will prevent you from getting into a slide when you don't want to.

on a track or auto-x it's good to turn it off, since there's no unanticipated corrections to be made for things like traffic or small children and you can smootly apply inputs to keep the car just at the limit. but on the street, do us all a favor and keep it on.

 

Not quite... the TCS senses rear wheel spin from the ABS system, and reduces throttle... no brakes used. DSC on the other hand uses a gyroscope to determine yaw, combined with speed info, throttle input and steering wheel angle to decide if the car is losing control understeering or oversteering. It then applies the brakes on one corner of the car to counteract the situation, and also reduces throttle if it senses that is part of the problem.

 

you're right, i get the alphabet soup confused some times lol.