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Hooo-wee! This morning, DSC saved my life. Heading NB on Meridian and turning right onto 106th street, I apparently met up with a bit of ice. I typically take this turn kind of fast, downshifting into 2nd at around 30mph, and hold the car to the right-hand lane, and if the lights play nice, I can swing North onto Pennsylvania in one fairly fluid motion. Today, however, it was coooold (16º) and the back end rotated around to the left on me, sending me way wide and toward a Pathfinder in the oncoming lane. I managed to hold it together; full left lock, clutch in, and I made a noise like Todd on this week's WhiteRoofRadio episode (eeeeeeek!). I heard what sounded like ABS, and I'm assuming that was the DSC really going to town, as I definitely was *not* on the brakes.
How's *that* for a reminder to slow down? *pant* *pant* *pant*
I was surprised how quickly the back came around. Is that a characteristic of the MINI's short wheelbase, once the rear wheels break loose?
Glad you and the MINI are okay. Ice is always tricky, and is one of the reasons I typically leave ASC on in the winter in my car. If my wife drove the car more, I probably would have gone for DSC too, as she hasn't been inclined to practice dealing with slides. I always turn it off if I feel like playing, especially in the dry, as it gets in the way then.
Sounds like you should come out and autocross a bit so you can get used to the MINI's reflexes and dynamics in a safe environment. Braking skills learned while autocrossing kept me out of two accidents in my previous, non-ABS car. A sliding rear end is no longer alarming.
Let me know if you want to come try an autocross, or especially if you want to attend the annual drivers' school in Columbus, IN. It is an absolute bargain for less than $30.
Good example for anyone trying to decide whether to get DSC or not. I think it is definitely A good idea. I have used mine before too but nothing that intense.
I don't think of DSC as a guardian angel or anything; I'm not counting on it to pull my bacon out of the frying pan, and I'm afraid that there are some people who do think like that. It's a good tool to have, however (as I think I proved yesterday) and I boggle at the people who use "Track Mode DSC" away from the track. But anyway. :-)
I've done a *lot* of playing, both in the MINI (I'm getting those hand-brake 180º turns down pretty well) and in the RWD trucks I've owned in the past. My wife yells at me for playing, but aside from the fun factor, I think doing donuts and powerslides in an empty parking lot teaches you a thing or two that you pick up when things go pear-shaped unexpectedly. Turning into a skid is 2nd nature to me. :-)
I was really surprised at how quickly the MINI spun around; is it just me, or does the short wheelbase cause it to spin in a hurry when the back end loses traction?
90STX, who puts on the spring autocross school in Columbus? For that price, I'd definitely be interested. Autocross in general doesn't appeal much to me; I'm more of a track-day type, and I took the Phil Wicks school up in Joliet in July. I've also done a couple of motorcycle track days. All of those help when things go wrong on the street, but of course they're not an excuse to drive like a hoon.
I'm hoping to feed the track day addiction more this year!
The school is typically in late April or May. I expect that the 2006 schedule will be on the web site in late January, and I'll try to remember to post about it here too, as it is such a cheap opportunity to get seat time and a few pointers from folks who have been driving competitively for years, or in several cases decades.
The traction controls were lifesavers today for slogging home in the mess tonight. Not such a bad thing to just put your foot down on the gas and then steer as needed. The MINI is the first car I've ever owned that has any of these gizmos. I can certainly see how someone might think that these things will keep you out of any trouble...
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Geoff
'05 Mini Cooper S HB/B
'73 Porsche 914
