So as I've been driving around in the different S-AWC modes over the winter I noticed that snow mode works the best for low speed turn+full throttle.

My "test" was full throttle from standstill right hand turn. Most of the time I did this was in the rain. I noticed that in Tarmac mode it would understeer pretty bad under full power, putting it in Gravel helped a lot but still understeered a bit, in Snow mode the car remained neutral to some oversteer.

Over the last few days I've been testing it in the dry and found that it still understeers in Tarmac mode, very mild understeer to neutral in Gravel, and neutral in Snow.

Going off of this I'm thinking I'd prolly have the best results running autox's in snow mode since turns tight and happen at 50 mph or less (most being a lot less). I'm sure lapping a full size track Tarmac works best for dry conditions since most turns aren't very tight are are usually faster than 50 mph.


So here's the question, is it safe to autox or just drive around in the dry all the time in Gravel or Snow mode? By safe I mean am I risking breaking something on the car, the diff or the AYC pump or whatever else could be connected... I've heard stories of AYC pump's going out (and I hear they're mucho $$$) but that most of that has been cold weather related. I do autox for fun, don't really compete in any class. So I don't wanna risk thousands of $$$ damage for fractions of a second, but if its safe to do so then no understeer would be nice...

 

I'm wondering the same thing.. as in Snow mode on dry pavement with my winter studded tires it's some major 4 wheel drift fun.. but in tarmac it's a real struggle to get the tail out on the same tires. I also did notice that i'd understeer if i went in to a corner a bit too hot in Auto x..

 

First, let's be clear about the S-AWC settings, which affect the center ACD, not the rear AYC. The three modes differ in terms of how hard they lock for a given amount of throttle and in terms of how fast they release when you lift. In general, as you move from Tarmac to Gravel to Snow, the center locks harder and releases slower.

For low-speeds and tight turns, none of the settings are optimal. You really want a setting that locks hard and releases quickly. So you're stuck making a decision: which is more important? As long as you don't do something silly and suddenly need to catch the car, then having it lock hard is more important since you won't need to lift to catch the car. Thus, if Snow is working better for you, take that as objective evidence that you can drive. On the flip-side (as it were), if the car keeps spinning and you are not able to catch it in time to save the run, then back if off at least one step (and try to be smoother, dammit).

Note: you can pay someone like Gruppe-S a pile of money and get them to create a mode that locks as hard as Snow and opens as fast as Tarmac. This is what we want for autocrossing.

 

Yep. The downside of the center still being locked at turn-in (even when you're off the gas) is understeer. That's why we want the center to open faster on pavement, so we can lift and turn in without the center fighting us.

 

I know it sounded wrong when I wrote it... can a mod change the AYC to S-AWC in the title please?

back on topic, I haven't actually tried it at an autox yet, but I'd test it to figure out which mode actually works best and gets the fastest times. The question is if I'm risking breaking anything on my car when I drive it in Gravel or Snow mode in the dry with grippy tires, and drive it aggressively being an autox and all...

 

I've tried all three modes. I preferred Tarmac for the turn-in and because Snow had a tendency to make me giggle and start drifting, which ate my tires. I look forward to hearing your impressions.

As to damage, other than to the tires, I don't see any reason for a difference. I suppose Snow + WOT (with grip) is a little rougher on the center, but not enough to not try it.

 

I'll post what I find after my next autox. Next one I'm going to for sure is on the 28th of May, might get one in before then but can't say for sure...

 

ASC off/off and Tarmac. The main part is seat time. Not trying to go off topic. The more you drive you can learn how to stab the brake before turn in and let off and get the rear to come around. This is like the old slalom debate. Stay steady through the entire slalom, or gas and brake during the slalom... depends on who you ask. But no I don't think it will hurt the car to run in snow mode. I actually tried each setting when trying the new suspension and didn't get any noticeable difference.

 

some turns are to long for the stab the brake before the turn trick to work, a full 180 turnaround for example. I have to wait pretty late before I can get on the gas again cause it understeers under power. Same type of turn I used to be able to get on the gas sooner on my old 350Z than on my awd evo... and thats just not right...

not to toot my own horn, but i don't really need any general autox advice (specific advice if you did a ride along with me is always welcome). I've only done 10-15 events and I run same or better times as veteren autoxr's... and most of them don't have much to add when they go on ride along's. and don't take this as me brushing off your advice, i'd give the same advice to someone new to autox, just that what you said isn't anything new to me

 

Relatively large 180s are something I have yet to get right in the Evo. The tricks and habits that I acquired doing these in the DSM do not work. Most of all, the Evo turns so much better than the DSM, especially under power, that I consistently find myself inside the planned line.

I agree about the understeer exiting tight elements, but these cars are fantastic at anything larger.

Ergo, I shall now destroy its ability to autocross by committing to a gravel set-up. tee hee

 

I hate you! youtube put some stupid idea's in my head...

 

Nah. You build your car for open track and I'll keep building mine for rallycross. Then I come out to Seattle on sabbatical and we car-hop both types of event. We should have the brakes for 15" wheels figured out in a month or so.

 

as enticing as that sounds I couldn't bring myself to rallycross someone else's car... maybe some sh*tbox, definitely not an evo x...

 

That's OK. If we did swap cars I'd probably panic and put yours into a wall on an open track. Then we can both walk home.

 

so I was at an autox yesterday, first time in over a yeah, and man was I rusty... finally started getting into the groove of things by my last run.

I don't really have any impressions, the way the course was setup didn't present any sections in which what i'm looking for would be usefull...