2004 Maxima VDC "Vehicle Dynamic Control"

Hey,

I too am looking at the Maxima, tho to lease. I was wondering about the VDC too, but that sounds like a fancy name for "Traction Control", which I'm not a real big fan of.

I have it on my current '01 Volkswagen, and all that it does is cut engine power to the drive wheels and apply brake to combat the wheel spin. I have a feeling it's similar on the Maxima.

Only time traction control really kicked in for me was in the snowy weather, but sometimes in the snow, I found it more of an annoyance rather than a help, because sometimes it's better to have the tire spin and momentum than no momentum and no wheel spin.

-Jeff

VDC is not the same as traction control.

VDC is capable of helping you maintain or regain control of the vehicle when it senses that the car is reaching a possible "out of control" situation. It works with all the means possible to the physical limits of the vehicle. It is capable of braking independent wheels, cutting the throttle, sensing skidding, understeering or oversteering.

I have VDC in a 2002 Acura RL and I am glad I have it. Once travelling at about 80 miles on I 75 the car in front of me dropped what looked like a 5 gallon pail. Instinctively I swerved to avoid being hit by the pail, but when i did i was travelling at that speed towards the shoulder, when i tried to steer back towards my line the car began to skid but at the same time the vdc took control and applied brakes and cut the gas. The car went in the direction I wanted as if it had been pick up and placed there.

My .02, get the VDC.

jdc1203 wrote:

It's all persoanl preference. I'm coming from a biased point of view

-- I have a background/past in amateur racing, so I tend to avoid all "autopilot" features.

I work in computers now (for a living), but I don't trust 'em in my car. I trust myself, first. :)

-Jeff

VDC is another name for Electronic Stability Control (ESC) which is way more than simple traction control, and much more significant. It has been declared by numerous experts as the most important safety feature on new cars (those that offer it) since seat belts.

ESC senses when the vehicle is losing control and controls brakes and vehicle power to keep it under control. It is NOT traction control and is NOT anti-lock brakes, although it sounds similar. Unfortunately, many vehicles in the U.S. don't have it and don't offer it as an option. It is very common in Europe and Japan. My recommendation: get it if it's offered.

Al Hearn