Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/100966
rotated approximately 270 degrees, the ESC decided that was the intended path of travel and took the car off course perpendicular to its original direction of travel. Now, let���s look at these electronic aids as learning tools. A core foundation of high performance driving is to be ���smooth���. More specifically, that means smoothly managing the transfer of weight to and from the individual wheels on the car. When you brake, weight transfers to the front tires, when you accelerate, weight transfers to the rear tires, and when you go around a corner weight transfers to the outside tires. To maximize traction, these transfers need to happen in a smooth, progressive manner. TC, ABS, and ESC will only activate if there is something that needs to be ���corrected���, therefore if you are truly smooth and in perfect control of your car, then your TC, ABS, and ESC will never activate. When these systems activate, the driver can typically feel it. They are providing feedback that perhaps you have an opportunity to improve your driving. When the ABS intervenes, you will feel pulsing in the brake pedal. The car is telling you that given the current conditions, it doesn���t think you are doing a good enough job of modulating the brakes, so the car will do it for you. Now, if the current condition is an emergency maneuver to avoid the refrigerator that just fell off the pickup truck in front of you, then you want all the help you can get ��� and that is exactly the type of scenario ABS is designed to help you with. On the other hand, if ABS activates in non-emergency situations, the car is telling you that you can be smoother and more sensitive in your braking technique. When TC or ESC/PSM engage, you will feel the car adjust itself ��� typically it will feel as though someone is pushing or pulling at the rear of the car to get the car lined up properly. If you are just little bit out of shape, it might be as subtle as feeling a small tug at one rear corner. If you a lot out of shape, it may feel as though your car has suddenly become ���possessed��� - as it makes numerous adjustments in rapid series, tugging the car in every direction. Like ABS, ESC and TC are designed to help keep your car under control in emergency situations Every time you feel one of these systems engage, you should reflect on what just happened and think about what you might do differently next time. It may be that you did nothing wrong, perhaps it was dark, wet, and there was some oil on the roadway. Or it may be that you turned too sharply or suddenly, or got on the gas or brakes too abruptly. Reflect on it and improve. If you feel these kicking in often during your normal or your ���spirited��� driving, it���s telling you that you are not driving the car well. You may be staying on the road, but it���s the technology and not your driving skill that is keeping you there. Be careful, there are limits to how much these systems can do. There are plenty of images of ESC equipped cars wrapped around trees on the internet. If you would like to experience these systems in action in your own car in a safe, structured and controlled environment, consider participating in one of our Drivers Skills events. You will learn a lot about how these systems, your car and you perform in various situations, learn some new skills, and have a lot fun doing it. PNWR Name Badges Available! Rectangular, black name badge with PNWR emblem and magnetic clasp - $13.50 each. To order, send a note with your name(s) PRINTED and a check made out to ���Awards Service��� to: Awards Service RE: Porsche Name Badge Request 19019 36th Ave W., Suite #A Lynnwood, WA 98036 November 2011 www.pnwr.org Your Name Here 19