SZL ??

 

When there is a fault, the system operates with a predefined setting, thus taking the sensor data out of the loop. This prevents the type of dangerous glitches you're thinking of. For example, our 2006 MC had transmission issues soon after we got it. It would keep going into limp home mode, which was the system's way of saying "Hey, something is wrong, and I'm going to minimize further problems". Turns out it was moisture getting into the area where the electronics were. No actual problem with the transmission, but the system recognized a problem and moved to the predefined setting.

As someone else pointed out, if DSC was faulting, you'd probably end up seeing the light on the entire time indicating that DSC was turned off (recognition of fault by the computer and subsequent predefined setting, off).

No worries, they think about all of these things

 

It's a doo-hickie (never said I was a mechanic) that affected the '07s. Something about a sensing "window" becoming clouded by plastic offgassing (or outgassing--I got chewed out by someone for using the wrong term, and I forget which). I don't know about the '08s--I think they improved it. It created an interesting quartet of failures:

DSC out
Turn signal cancelling out
Parking brake warning lot on
Wipers sometimes on when engine off

No biggie to replace once they had them in stock. No danger to drive, either.

 

I still have til tomorrow to add it.

I live in Pa and its a bit rainy and snow and ice during the winter time.

As of now I am very conservative and cautious in these conditions in my current , and because of my current, car(saturn 98 sl2)

I'm constantly nervous about driving fast in these conditions with my current car.

From my understanding the mcs is much more stable and controlling than my current car, but how is it in rain and snow?

am I a candidate for dsc? is it worth the $500 for me?

thanks

 

Is DSC a must for you? I don't know. My opinion is its a must for me, and it may very well save my neck someday. I'm quite fond of my neck being in one piece.

 

Absolutely! You describe slippery driving conditions, you're nervous about driving in those conditions, AND you're ordering an MCS, which already has a tendency to increase these effects because of the greater acceleration rate than your Saturn. How much is your deductible? If it saves your financial neck once in the time you own the car, it will have paid for itself (maybe more). If it saves your own tail, well...

No brainer for me, and I don't even have those factors.

P.S. If you're wondering if you should change to an MC because of my acceleration comment, don't. You've already decided on an MCS; keep it. They are massive loads of fun in a mini MINI. Just get the DSC.

 

I feel your pain I was very nervous and cautious back when i drove a 95 SL2. Of course after I had already driven it off the road twice being crazy enough to drive it into UP michigan in the winter on not so good all seasons. That thing was seriously bad in the snow and I have never driven a vehicle worse in it. The mini is a pleasant contrast to that, get the all season tire option if you already haven't and you should be fine on those. The minis weight is actually quite a bit more than your saturn so itll be much nicer in the snow. Go ahead and get the DSC if you want the extra cushion, but the mini is not any where near as dangerous in the snow as the car you are moving from.