There is a highway interchange ramp that I use every day that I keep taking faster and faster. My question pertains to the DSC and all of the other acronyms that are associated with DSC. When I take the ramp, I tighten the steering wheel for the first section about 66mph, unwind it a bit for the center (but it is still a curve) 69mph, and then tighten the steering wheel for the exit onto the next highway 64mph. (The speed limit sign on the ramp is 40MPH.) The part that I am concerned about is the final section because if I drift out of my lane I end up in another lane of hiway traffic that typically is pretty busy. So far the DSC light hasn't come on while taking this particular turn, and it's never come on at 60+mph so I'm not sure what to expect when it does. I don't like when it kicks in at 30 - 40 mph on twisty roads, but it is very reassuring that if you enter a corner a little too hot, it will take over and get you out of trouble.

Am I correct in my thinking that the DSC will get you out of trouble as long as you're not going stupid-fast into a turn? When the DSC applies the brakes does it affect the balance of the car and will this cause the back end to break away? Does the DSC work everytime? Is it even recommended to use it or is it better to find the limit on my own? I wish it were autoX season so I could figure this out on my own, but it's Arctic-ly cold and noone wants to stand outside; except for me.

Sorry for asking such a strange question. My last car I wrapped around a tree by going stupid fast on a twisty road and I don't think that my insurance wants me to do it again. Who am I kidding, they'd love for me to do it again. My annual rates would be close to five digits then.

 

Wait until Summer to do anything remotely close to this again, and at that, wait until you can do it on a closed course.

 

DSC will help as much as possible, but still can't override physics, keep the "stupid fast" stuff for the track (closed course).

 

>>DSC will help as much as possible, but still can't override physics, keep the "stupid fast" stuff for the track (closed course).

I'd generally agree. For one, I would never count on electronics to save you from physics.

Without actually seeing the ramp in question it's really hard to saye. I know of "40mph" right-left-right ramp that I'll take at 60 in a 5000 lb conversion van (usually dropping anything that's tailgating me...). In my old car, I regularily took it at 70 and never felt uncomfortable doing so. My new car (not a Mini) feels less settled, so I'm more conservative. I couldn't guess how fast I could take it in a car that can handle. But I've also been driving this ramp for 15 years and know every pebble on it. I take it at my comfort level, which seems to be lower than some, but higher than most.

My point is only you know your comfort zone. The best place to explore the limits of your comfort is on the track where the consequences of failure are more controlled and monitored. If you pushing to the point of discomfort on public roads, you should probably back off.

I listen to my sphincter - when it tells me to back off and I will.

 

I agree with everyone above.

I have no experience with DSC, so I can't answer your actual question,
but I'd like to add that you'll feel pretty bad if you do get the DSC to
kick in, you lose control and kill Mom and the kids in the next lane over.

And, you'll probably go to jail, and wreck a good MINI. So be careful,
and as Click and Cloack say "Don't drive like my brother"

Sermon-mode off.

I ALMOST lost it going around a cornew WAY WAY too fast with
other traffic around. It scared me shitless, and even though the car
handled spectacularly, I'll never do it again.

The rear-end drifted out, and when I letup on the gas, and turned a
tiny bit less steeply, it hooked back up to the road with barely a
shiver from the car. Man, that was too close.

 

Well i wouldn't rely on the DSC to save you. Frankly DSC scares me. I would rather slide a bit than not know the reaction that the DSC is going to give me. I would love to test out the DSC somewhere, but not with my car :smile:
When i first got my car I was trying to get to a U-turn and saw that it was on the left side of the road instead of the right. I sped up to get in front of a car next to me on the left and then the turn snuck up on me and it was very sharp. As i was taking the turn i heard a noise that sounded awful and after i took it i was a little scared that i did something, but now i know it was just the DSC kicking on. My mother was with me and she said that in any other car we wouldnt have been able to make the turn. So this might have been a win for the DSC but when I autocross I always turn it off because it cuts off power and doesn't let you power out of turns.

Just as a side note, usually you want to enter a turn slow and exit fast. Sounds like you are entering fast and trying to hold on to get through turn. But every turn is different. I have a sharp turn i take on the way to work everyday, and i try different ways of taking it and it has helped me get a better understanding of the car's handling. But I still have lots to learn. For instance, salt is slippery and tires dont handle as well in 20 degree weather. Be careful, it is hard waiting for better weather but it will be harder looking at your crashed MINI.

 

"For one, I would never count on electronics to save you from physics"

I like that one, a lot... possible signature material for Tatt the wannabe AutoXer.

OK, so I'm still off-topic, but according to my therapist, i am making positive progress on not being so long-winded,
TAtt

 

Attend an HPDE event at a local track. They will teach you the wisdom of entering a corner slower and coming out faster, not entering to hot and having to fight through the corner and coming out slow. It also sounds like you are using a double apex approach to the turn. Save it for the track!