Alright I think we're arguing about two different things...

One argument is that you should keep the DSC on in the snow and bad weather. I agree and I think you agree...

the other argument is that you shouldn't drive like you're bulletproof in the snow. I agree and I think you agree...

Am I wrong?

If you can drive without setting off the DSC in the snow than bravo and I think we're all comforted to know you're a safe and conciencious driver.

 

Who's arguing You want to see arguing...try and have a logical discussion with my ex wife

 

Point #1 I never said you should keep it on. I said I only keep it on for people who can't drive properly in the snow.

Point #2 Why do you tell people to keep the DSC on when you should be pushing for safer driving?

 

I think the DSC is personal preference - I find that the 8 handles so much like that car I drove for 15 years (only much much better) that the DSC interfers with handling in wet weather and on slippery mud (we live about a mile and a half up a dirt road) and have to climb a very steep "will my truck make it?" hill....

If it was me, for trying to get out of mud or snow I would opt for DSC off -(I think DSC also burns more gas)

Also, you might want to run a large rug or blanket under the wheels that are spinning without traction - place it ahead of the wheel, let it get grabbed and pulled under the wheel and if possible let the wheel come up over the blanket, because once you've spun a little you are going to have an awful time getting out even if you have 4 wheel drive! You may need some friends to get out and push it so it gets free -They may need to kind of rock it foreward and back as the snow will form sort of a lip or cup that the tires drop into... otherwise even a jeep will stick there until the spring thaw!
Your problem is not the 8 - as it is light, and has wide tires, it is going slow, and getting past the wet slippery stuff! The harder you spin the more you spin the more you dig in. Also snow freezes up at night - so use sand and your efforts to escape are easier when snow frozen at its the hardest.

 

Even though i knew the 8 was gonna be bad in the snow, i got my first taste of it this morning.

With a whole whopping 1/2 inch of snow on the ground, i too was baffled to find that i couldn't even go about 1/2 throttle without spinning out.

The DSC is useful to a certain extent. If you're going 25+ and the DSC kicks in, it doesn't really matter...your going to continue to slide reguardless of what the DSC does.

I left it on anyway, just to reassure I wasn't going to pointlessly spin my tires. MPG suffers severely (to no surprise).

It's funny too...because I have summer tires on the probe and it didn't make as much of fit in the snow. I guess the FWD DOES make more of a difference than I thought.

 

I finally got my first taste of snow this winter in philadelphia about 2". I put blizzaks on the car on 17" rims to start the winter. I have to say with the blizzaks this thing was awesome, super predictable very stable. I was very confident didn't have any trouble unless i was on ice but doesn't slip on ice, it was still manageable. A hyndai tiberon in front was acually having trouble and i cruised right by. I took the advise of everyone and went ahead and got winter tires for this thing, and I guess it payed off. The DSC kicks in anytime when things get squirrelly and totally directs me where i want to go. But its not over doing it. I haven't had to turn it off to get going from a start the blizzaks just have some nice grip. We will see what happens when we get the first really snow (6" or more)

 

I got stuck last night and had to resort to the cat litter in my trunk...But this was on stocks.

 

well it had to happen i was working this sunday and about 1230 it started to snow we closed early because no traffic on the showroom floor(ford dealership).i live about 17 miles from work and was blessed by god to make it home w/out any real life bending moves.it never seems to make any sense to see a wlole lot of 4x4's running into ditches,going off road by accident(ha!ha!)not being able to control there car or truck with 4x4 on or off.driving in some conditions becomes an art of the driver and car working as a team to get the best of everything out of each other.practice well not make it all go away but having a fwdrive accord with snows made my next day (monday) a breeze!!you guys and girls take it easy out there!the snow well come and go but save your rx8 for the real fun times of better weather.my accord is quite a beater but it's clean and cost next to nothing to own and keep as a great back up car for the rough days of winter. be safe and enjoy yourselfs

 

My issue with point two is I am an advocate of both because one does not preclude the other. I definitely believe the world needs better driver education and so many accidents would be avioded with this. DSC is there as a safety net when things get out of control. There is no reason to remove this safety net in adverse weather regardless of how good a driver you are.

DSC itself isn't a replacement for being a good driver or at the extreme, an excuse for being reckless, but having good driving skills will not keep you out of trouble either. If you have both use both.

 

I second that. In defense of this point, I can't help but saying that if you're really THAT good of a driver that you don't think you need it, what difference does it make just incase? As long as you're only giving it that perfect amount of throttle, your wheels wouldn't spin anyway...hence deeming the DSC a fail-safe anyway. Then again, I don't know too many humans who have that perfect 100% accurate feel for a gas pedal on snow/ice/mud in all 6 gears.

To think you've absolutely mastered what a computer is designed to correct in humans is a somewhat misconstrued thought.

I see no reason to remove your safety net unless the cutting of throttle really drives you THAT crazy.

 

Exactly...

 

What year is your Accord? Mine is an '87, and today it took me to work while Zoomy stayed safe and salt-free in the garage. Also something fun about driving a car that's worth maybe $400 as a trade-in, but nearly $2000 if someone runs into it.

There is one aspect of snow driving where switching DSC off could be useful. I've generally tested road conditions by briefly applying power to see whether I'd easily lose traction. Don't think I'd want to leave DSC off, though - ego is not that big. I guess when the time comes that Zoomy ventures out in the snow I'll just have to learn what DSC kicking in feels like.

Ken

 

That's definitely the best way to make sure you don't crash your eight.

 

and if your still on stock tires, it'll be by the end of the driveway...about 4 seconds.

 

amen.

 

Information that some might find interesting:

Popular Mechanics recently took a look at the issue of stability and/or traction control vs the professional driver. They took three drivers 1 who drove very little, 1 who drove a lot, and 1 who was one of their professional test drivers.

The end results in various circumstances were that the novice/everyday drivers were more in control with the systems and resulted in better "performance" for the test. The pro had some of the worst results when the systems cut in. Why? Because as a professional he knows how to push a car to its limits and keep it in check better than the computer.

End result is basically pros don't need it per se, and that the regular drivers benefit from it. But there is also the downside that the ignorant masses incorrectly assume these systems mean that they're "invincible" on the road and wind up causing more trouble and damage because of that.

Edit-

I should mention that it really boils down to the individual. Also IIRC there are instances where being stuck REQUIRES disabling the computer (according to the manufacturer).

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong

 

As I'm sure a few dozen people have already said, it's all about the tires. Just posted a blog entry about this the other day. Way too often people think the car is to blame for poor snow traction. It's because of all those FWD and AWD cars adds, I suspect.

Winter tire companies could do much better advertising. The way some people are concerned about safety, far more of them should have winter tires for the snow.

http://www.truedelta.com/blog/?p=7

 

It kept me out of trouble. I just drove my car back home in the snow with Azenis on it without any aids (except ABS). You don't see me posting how I crash my car. The aids are nice, but you can't beat good safe smart driving. DSC hurts me because I react to things and use a different technique to correct it. When my car goes sideways, I dont brake to counter for it. I either gas or let go and steer. I have gotten in trouble with the DSC on, never had it off. I guess I just drive slow.

 

You guys are all wrong. To get traction in snow you've got to melt it first. I recommend an 8k clutch dump in reverse. Then without using the clutch slam it into fourth. Make sure to have both suicide doors open (but not the front doors) as this will increase drag and create a vacuum under the car to increase stabilization.

 

umm...huh?? I'm afraid I don't understand your post.

 

Good, that's like how you don't understand DSC is not god. They can't protect you from unsafe driving.

 

hardly conceivable.

He never claimed it was god...simply stated that leaving it on doesn't hurt. Does it replace safe driving? No. But then again, I don't see where it was stated he drives like a bat out of hell...all because he has DSC.

a good rebuttal usually requires a fairly decent understanding of the conversation first.

 

If not sooner.

When the Honda dies, my first call will be to Tire Rack to order some Blizzaks.

 

Let me rephrase...I do not understand your grammer. I am assuming english is not your first language so I am asking you to try restating your post again so I can figure out what point you were trying to make.

 

Let me say up front that I am not a veterinarian, nor do I have any professional experience working with animals. None the less, it is my considered opinion that this horse is most definitely dead.