Quote:
Originally Posted by reeves
So does VSC/Traction Control even monitor the front wheels?
Because I just did a 15-20 ft slide with my (almost bald) front tires while (intentionally) doing a sharp turn at 35-40 mph.
I was testing out my new MPSS tires I got for my rears. 
Fronts will be replaced soon too, but I just wanted to have a little fun in the rain in the meantime.
With stickier rear tires and no one around me, I downshifted and took the turn alot sharper than I needed just to see what the nannies would do during an understeer slide.. And the nannies did NOT interfere at all. I let the car slide its front tires for a second or two until I got close to the curb before letting off the gas pedal (the fronts caught on as soon as I did).
I wasn't going that fast so the rears stuck like glue. And I didn't touch any of the VSC/traction buttons.
So no slipping in the rear = no nannies? |
The system monitors EVERYTHING. Throttle position, brake position, wheel speed at all four corners, steering angle, slip angle, yaw, lateral forces, etc... It absolutely pays attention to what the front wheels are doing. The system can easily identify understeer, which it knows is happening when lateral forces, and vehicle yaw don't align with the expected values based on your speed, and the steering angle. It will definitely respond to a situation where you lose traction at the front end. Typically the response is for the car to brake the inside rear wheel, which helps pull the vehicle into the correct orientation. It will also reduce throttle, which serves to both shift weight forward, and reduce excess speed. If your vehicle did absolutely nothing during a very obvious slide, then either you had the systems off, or something is wrong with the vehicle. However, keep in mind that there isn't any "true" way to fix understeer. If you're going too fast for the turn, you are going too fast, all the car can do is brake the inside wheel, and reduce engine power, and hope the front end starts turning.
Also, why do you have new MPSS tires on the rear, and almost bald tires in front? Why did you not replace all four?