Zya123

I am about to buy a 03 performance Z and i was wondering where is teh traction control button to turn it on and off? i see the VDC button on the bottom left under the wheel, is that it? thanks

Sean

mine is above the fuel cap button and over towards the steering wheel

Zya123

So its not right next to the VDC button?

Sean

I don't have VDC, I bought a Enthusiast model so I wouldn't have to deal with it.

Zya123

What is the VDC anyways? also the dealer told me this is a performance model that i am looking at?

UGOTZ'D

if there is a vdc button there is no tcs off button

The Brickyard Rat

iTrader: (1)

TCS is PART of the VDC; there is only 1 button. Cards with only TCS have button reading.....guess what...."TCS".

Performance model comes with VDC.

ZCARBANDIT

iTrader: (73)

I need to move my vdc button. hate where the da*n thing is. Needs to be next to my heated seat controls. i need to investigate that...hmmm

Sean

yes, I meant to say enthusiast and my brain typed performance, my bad.

Zya123

but can you still turn traciton control off if i want by pressing the VDC button?

Z04

iTrader: (15)

if you got a VDC button, you do not have a TCS button because it does not have traction control

350z00m

iTrader: (3)

if u have vdc u have TCS. when u turn off vdc it will turn off tcs also.. but vdc isnt "tolotally" turned off... but u can turn it off totally by unpluging it from the panel under the "ash try". i think thay it up on the DIY section

Spike100

The 2003 Performance model is equipped with VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control). VDC uses a gyro to keep the car pointed on line with the direction of the front wheels by automatically applying braking pressure to the appropriate wheel(s) of the car. The Performance model also has TLC (Traction Lock Control) which kills power automatically when a rear wheel starts spinning to prevent the backend from kicking to the side.

On the 2003 Performance model VDC and TLC work together and are both turned off when you press the VDC button (lower left side of dash). The 2003 Enthusiast model has TLC but not VDC. The button is in the same position, and pressing this button in the case of the Enthusiast turns TLC off.

If you have a choice of purchasing either a Performance model or an Enthusiast, I would buy the Performance. Plenty of readers here won’t agree with this, but I drove both and bought the Performance model because the power-assisted equipment (steering, brakes, and clutch) felt lighter and better (to me anyway) on the Performance model. Some guys here suggest that is simply a function of the 18” wheels on the 2003 Performance vs. 17” on the stock Enthusiast. That could be true; I cannot dispute that since I’ve never driven a 2003 Enthusiast with 18” aftermarket wheels.

You can learn more (probably more than you ever wanted to know) about TLC and VDC by using the search function here. The big argument you see in the search is whether or not you turn VDC off completely when pressing the VDC button. Pressing the Performance model’s VDC button does in fact turn VDC (as well as TLC) off, but it does not turn off VLSD (Viscous Limited Slip Differential) and ABS (Automatic Braking System). To turn off ABS and a couple of “limited slip differential” systems (can’t recall the acronyms right now, but they’ll show-up if you search), you must start pulling fuses and disconnecting wires, obviously something the manufacturer doesn’t want you to do. For example, you would pull the fuse to disconnect ABS if you don’t mind having the car going into an uncontrolled skid and crashing when you hit the brakes hard at high speed. Disconnecting the limited slip devices is something to do if you don’t mind buying $200+ tires at frequent intervals.

Good luck with your purchase. You’re going to love your Z. --Spike
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EDIT: for sp. error and Administrator points out that it is TCS (Traction Control System) and not TLC (Tender Loving Care). Stupid joke removed because it no longer makes sense (not that it ever did)

davidv

iTrader: (2)

What! No traction control button. What a rip-off!

PerfZ

iTrader: (3)

Glad to see you are still with us, David; thought that best oil thread was the end of you.

davidv

iTrader: (2)

LOL. I got killed in that thread. 1,000 members added me to their IGNORE list. So essentially I am now talking to myself.

The Brickyard Rat

iTrader: (1)

I still read your stuff davidv...now that you gave up on that outdated CR report on tires!

Zya123

Well i did it, i bought the car, ok last question about this, lets say i turn off the VDC button, can i spin the tires and do donuts if i want to, ( probally wont but you never know)

Reality350

iTrader: (25)

^sure, if you like buying tires...

Yes, with the vdc off you can go nutz and start your l33t drifto sk33lz.
Except still no ability to do brakestands.. Unless you unplug your ABS fuse. IIRC.

R

LeyZ

iTrader: (4)

its all good dude, at least your not DELTAFORCE, and if anyone hadnt had the chance to talk to this kid, look up some of his posts if you want to pee your pants laughing.