Do you appreciate the VDC? (Vehicle Dynamic Control)

I love the abilities of the VDC in the Micra. If you dont know it basically applies break pressure to help rotate the car and fight oversteer. I think it works great and never turn it off anymore it works so well and can really help in a jam. It really lets you jump into a turn without having to over break before hand. It really helps in situations where the factory tires just want to give but the VDC helps keep the vehicle from under-steering. If the car was tracked prep it would certainly be off but on the street with average tires it helps rotate the car at high speeds without breaking.

Anyways I think the VDC is great and really helps the fun factor of this car.

The first time I ever experienced this feature was actually in a Micra.

When I borrowed the media fleet Micra SR from Nissan, I was driving home at night on country roads. One stretch of the highway was covered with hundreds of frogs, so I started playing Frogger to keep from squishing the ones that weren't already flattened.

Note to self: frogs are slippery.

Stability control came on a couple of times during "evasive maneuvers". :D

A friend of mine recently got a BRZ, and she took me for a spin on a wet, twisty country road. She got a bit too aggressive with the throttle in one corner and started to lose the back end -- we literally would have gone for a spin if the stability control hadn't kicked in!

PS: did you know the cruise control will cancel itself if you cause the stability control to activate?

Always remember to turn VDC off if your sort of stuck in heavy snow and trying to get out.

Not sure what this is. Is it traction control?

Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)

edit: see post below for description

Description (selected text, not all of it) from the 2015 Micra brochure:

Quote:

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The Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system uses various sensors to monitor driver inputs and vehicle motion. Under certain driving conditions, the VDC System helps to perform the following functions:

● Controls brake pressure to reduce wheel slip on one slipping drive wheel so power is transferred to a non slipping drive wheel on the same axle.

● Controls brake pressure and engine output to reduce drive wheel slip based on vehicle speed (traction control function).

● Controls brake pressure at individual wheels and engine output to help the driver maintain control of the vehicle in the following conditions:
– understeer (vehicle tends to not follow the steered path despite increased steering input)
– oversteer (vehicle tends to spin due to certain road or driving conditions)

The VDC system can help the driver to maintain control of the vehicle, but it cannot prevent loss of vehicle control in all driving situations.

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When the VDC system operates, the indicator in the instrument panel flashes so note the
following:

● The road may be slippery or the system may determine some action is required to help
keep the vehicle on the steered path.

● You may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a noise or vibration from under the
hood. This is normal and indicates that the VDC system is working properly.

● Adjust your speed and driving to the road conditions.

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The VDC system is automatically reset to on when the ignition switch is placed in the off
position then back to the on position.

The computer has a built in diagnostic feature that tests the system each time you start the
engine and move the vehicle forward or in reverse at a slow speed. When the self-test occurs, you may hear a clunk noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal and is not an
indication of a malfunction.

WARNING

● The VDC system is designed to help the driver maintain stability but does not prevent accidents due to abrupt steering operation at high speeds or by careless or dangerous driving techniques.

Reduce vehicle speed and be especially careful when driving and cornering on slippery surfaces and always drive carefully

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Ya, I see it now. I thought that was the Traction Control button, but I guess it's the same idea.

been using it in the snow here in vancouver, sounds like an airchisel is against the car.when it activates...first car with abs or traction control so dont know much about it. Am used to the 99 honda where steering wheel input angle and throttle went hand in hand on snowto keep in a straight line The micra isnt like that.

The VDC helps makes the cleanest 90* turns

Hi all!

I love the VDC, I drive quite fast, overtaking and changing lanes. Especially when wet or there's gravel, and even in roundabouts the system is really useful. The engine management long with the abs system manages the safety while I can press the accelerator and the system keeps me safe. It cuts the fuel and applies the brakes itself when needed and once all is ok and the potential danger passes it continues to obey the acceleration request, without my requirement to let it go of the acceleration pedal.
Also in gravel and sand it keeps the vehicle very safe. I've tried the system in sand and gravel and the difference when this is ON or OFF is like day and night. It's only then when I realize that all these years the vehicle had an internal angel guarding me. In most situations the vehicle would cut fuel and apply light braking in such way that it is not felt by the driver, keeping a straight line. With the system off even in straight line the vehicle would tend to overspin the tire with less traction which would cause discomfort and would have a tendency of causing understeer or oversteer based on the surface. With the system on this is not happening and inside the cabin everyone feels like the vehicle is on tarmac. No overspin or tendency of over/understeering.

So it's tied to the traction control button?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by geodude

So it's tied to the traction control button?

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Yes, your VDC is traction control and stability control in one. There are times when its not needed or should be turned off but for day to day and in bad weather its does a lot more then you may know if you're a spirited driver.

It doesnt deactivate your ABS tho which is good, the ABS works great in the car. If it comes on just lighten off the pedal and reapply force, works great.

Good morning Micra people, I finally picked up my Micra on friday. I have been trying to turn off VDC, not because I want to drive that way, I was just curious as to how to turn if off for when I actually need too. I've tried pressing in the button quickly, holding it down, clutch in, clutch out, while driving and while still, handbrake up and down, the light just doesn't come on in the dash.
Anyone figured out how or do I need to take this up with the dealer ?
and yes I RTFM

Thanks :)

Hey , congrats polarbe4r!

I moved your post into this existing thread on the topic - hope you don't mind.

VDC: on any car I've driven, to turn if off, the car must be ON & running. You press and hold the button until the VDC icon lights up on the cluster. Roughly 3 to 5 seconds.

Hopefull someone here will confirm (or correct!).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Hey , congrats polarbe4r!

I moved your post into this existing thread on the topic - hope you don't mind.

VDC: on any car I've driven, to turn if off, the car must be ON & running. You press and hold the button until the VDC icon lights up on the cluster. Roughly 3 to 5 seconds.

Hopefull someone here will confirm (or correct!).

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NP! Thanks for moving it in the right thread :)

that was my initial test on my car, and nothing happens...

Might want to check and make sure the button is actually connected, the light should come on when pressing it once with the car running.

As for my experience, I put my worn all-season factory tires on last year, then we had a freak snow storm. Driving into work along Highway 407, that light stayed lit almost the entire way; I'm certain it kept my ass end from coming around front a few times on that commute. I definitely leave this on when driving on the highway at all times; as the Micra is short and light in the rear, so I think it would spin out rather easily without it.

No doubt! I may need to turn it off going up the road to my buddies cottage in northern quebec. Muddy and slushy, so I'd rather have the option to not have it on in case it does keep me from making it up there. I will contact the dealer today and have them look, after I've made sure the button is connected of course.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DirtyMicra23

The VDC helps makes the cleanest 90* turns

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Apologies for bringing up an old post (this is my 1st post), but is there any way to Make so the VDC is in OFF position when I turn the car on?
I find that it causes “problems “ & keeps coming on whenever I use a bit of handbrake to assist with tight 90deg turns, it also bounces the front end while trying to smoke the wheels, which is frustrating.

To my knowledge there's always some form of traction control or other electric assistance - the two modes of disabling it (both press and hold options), never truly turn it off and makes for quite the annoyance.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SubEtherBASS

is there any way to Make so the VDC is in OFF position when I turn the car on

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I don't think any new car permits you to leave the system OFF. Every time you start the car, it switches back on - the driver has to turn if off at every start-up.