Quote:
Originally Posted by Assimilator1
I'm still not clear though as to what the differences are between MDM and DSC fully on (no one answered that).
I looked through the threads that dogbone had started and didn't see one titled MDM/DSC testing, was it in his (huge!) track build thread?
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The big post I did illustrating MDM's behavior can be found here on page 34 of my thread:
https://www.m3post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=747
As far as the differences between MDM and DSC fully on-----there's not much difference in what it does or how it works; DSC fully on is simply more restrictive/more intrusive/kicks in sooner/doesn't let the car sideways hardly at all before kicking/doesn't allow for much slip angle before taming the situation. MDM gives you more leeway before it kicks in. And there's a USA version of MDM and and Euro version. The USA version is more restrictive than the Euro version, meaning you can get a bit more slip angle with the Euro version before kicking in.
The traction control system has two tools at its disposal to control the car based on what its sensors are detecting: 1. It can grab any individual brake caliper to keep the tail of the car where it's supposed to be---something obviously the driver cannot do. 2. It can restrict throttle response----basically, no matter how much you mash the gas pedal, the computer will decide when and how much throttle is actually applied.
The mistake people make is that they think if the DSC light isn't flashing, then traction control isn't doing anything. That is incorrect. It is working even when the light is not flashing.
When the car grabs an individual brake caliper to control the situation, you can feel it, if you're paying attention to it. It's even more noticeable if you have aggressive race pads in the calipers because you can feel the car slightly hesitating more as it's grabbing.
The 2nd method of throttle control is usually verrrrrry sneaky and subtle. The driver can mash on the throttle as much as they want on a corner exit, but the computer will very smoothly bring on the power as it sees fit. You don't even realize that it's doing it. It only becomes apparent when you turn DSC completely off, then mash the gas the way you normally do and-----surprise!----holy shit, the car has all kinds of power on exit and the tail steps out or you spin. Only then, do you realize that the computer was very subtly controlling the power output, and there was no indication of flashing lights or anything else. Now, there are dynamic moments when you may have initially mashed the throttle and got going and then the car got uncomfortable with the situation (ie. tail is quickly stepping out and the car is about to spin) and it harshly/immediately cuts power. But this is not the only time it's kicking in---it's just the most obvious.