I know what both do, and I know tcs helps out alot if its rainy out and stuff, but does vdc help as much as tcs? Like if any of you were buying a Z would you try and look for one with vdc also? Or is tcs good enough for daily driving in a place that rains alot. And for the track I know both of those should be turned off too

Oh also, would it be cheaper finding a Z with cloth seats and getting after market leather, or some place thats sells OEM? If you really liked the car and the price, and does anyone make aftermarket seats that look exactly like the older z seats with the little hole pattern in the middle of the seats?

 

TCS: Cuts power when left/right tire is spinning faster than its opposite, in attempts to stop you from losing it.
VDC: Attempts to correct car if you do manage to lose it.

Up to you

 

The Touring Manual, Track and Performance include VDC. So VDC-equipped 350Zs outsell non-VDC 350s by a wide margin.

 

I guess theres no easy way to put vdc or tcs in a base just like a lsd?

 

Nope. Some options you're better off getting when you buy it. Some you can have done cheaper afterwards. That's true with any car. You just have to decide what options you absolutely have to have, and whether you can get them done afterwards for a decent price or not.

 

I survived 53,000 miles without VDC. Its a miracle.

 

Which proves nothing. A numerator without a denominator does not make science or statistics.

 

I have VDC, all it does is cut power at the throttle when it detects wheel spin.

 

Definition of Nissan's TCS:

Traction control systems (TCSs) serve to control brake pressure and engine torque, thereby reducing driving wheel spin for improved stability and handling. Systems are divided into two basic types by the brake control configuration. One type is a one-channel left-right common control system and the other is a two-channel individual control system. This paper presents an analysis of these two types of TCS configurations in terms of handling, acceleration, stability yaw convergence and other performance parameters. The systems are compared with and without a limited-slip differential (LSD) under various road conditions, based on experimental data and computer simulations. As a result of this work, certain Nissan models are now equipped with a new Nissan Traction Control System with a rear viscous LSD (Nissan V-TCS), which provides both the advantages of a rear viscous LSD in a small slip region and a two-channel TCS in a large slip region. As a result, this system works to improve traction, stability and overall performance under various road conditions.

VDC works and controls your TCS, Direct Ignition, Brake Assest, and ABS to help you through troubled conditions.

 

Just reading these first few posts, I'm amazed at how little people know about what TCS and VDC do.

The simple explanation for TCS - it detects wheel spin differences between front and rear wheels and cuts power (and can apply brakes) to minimize slip and maximize power.

The simple explanation for VDC - it detects wheel spin differences between all four wheels, looks at acceleration (via G-force sensor), and measures the steering angle then uses that to control brake(s) to keep the car from spinning. It can also cut throttle as needed.

The full explanation:

TCS Function

The wheel spin of the drive wheels is detected by the VDC/TCS/ABS control unit from the wheel speed signals from the four wheels, so if wheel spin occurs, the rear wheel right and left brake fluid pressure control and engine fuel cut are conducted while the throttle value is restricted to reduce the engine torque and decrease the amount of wheel spin. In addition, the degree the throttle is opened is controlled to achieve the optimum engine torque.

Depending on road circumstances, the driver may have a sluggish feel. This is normal, because the optimum traction has the highest priority under TCS operation.

TCS may be activated any time the vehicle suddenly accelerates, suddenly downshifts, or is driven on a road with a varying surface friction coefficient.

During TCS operation, it informs a driver of system operation by flashing SLIP indicator lamp.

VDC Function

In addition to the TCS/ABS function, the driver steering amount and brake operation amount are detected from the steering angle sensor and pressure sensor, and the vehicle's driving status (amount of understeering / over-steering) is determined from information from the yaw rate sensor/side G sensor, wheel sensor, etc., and this information is used to improve vehicle stability by controlling the braking and engine power to all four wheels.

The SLIP indicator lamp flashes to inform the driver of VDC operation.

During VDC operation, the body and brake pedal lightly vibrate and mechanical noises may be heard. This is normal.

The ABS warning lamp, VDC OFF indicator lamp, and SLIP indicator lamp might turn on when the vehicle is subject to strong shaking or large vibration, such as when the vehicle is on a turn table or a ship while the engine is running. In this case, restart the engine on a normal road, and if the ABS warning lamp, VDC OFF indicator lamp, and SLIP indicator lamp turn off, there is no problem.

 

Thanks for the info, is there a way to know if a Z has vdc also, by looking in the car? like a vdc light or indicator?

 

yeah, just look under close to the hood release lever and you will see a button that says 'tcs' or 'vdc'

 

And if it has both it would show both buttons? or is vdc incorperated in the tcs or something?

 

If you have VDC, you also have TCS. They work together so when you turn the VDC off, it's turning off TCS too.

 

TCS is part of VDC. VDC is better than TCS. TCS cuts power, VDC does this as well as modulates individual brakes to keep the car on it's intended path. Simple enough? You guys really need to read up more.

To the OP: If you're worried about it, get a car with VDC; it'll do more for you in slippery situations than TCS.

On the leather, there are several options to getting leather done aftermarket that look just like the OEM leather; you just won't have power or heated seats. If you're looking at used Zs, you'll get leather only in the Touring model (unless you look for newer 35th or GT models), which, if 6MT, will also have VDC (you'll get Bose, too). These moay cost a little more that an Enthusiast with cloth and TCS or a Performance with cloth and VDC, but probably not that much more.

 

i love TCS, helpes out in the rain and makes me feel more comfortable when im driving in it.

as far as seats go, seats can be expensive. im putting cobra misano L seats in my car (orange leather) 1400.00 just for the seats not including brackets.

when i was in the market i trid finding a black Z with orange leather...it was almost impossible. so i ended up settling for cloth ( isn't that bad, they look good for cloth seats) and now im going to be putting in the orange leather seats.

Jake

 

It's not that one is better than the other, they do different things. When you look at everything, you also have ABS and EBD to throw into the mix.

 

Thanks guys, Well all I want are oem leather burnt orange(one with hole patterns in the middle) if any place ships it out or anything, before looking for the whole seat in the buy section

I guess if i can find the leather oem somewhere, a good shop around my home would put it in, any good company can make these seats fit nice and tight right? its nothing special for them?

 

I would hope so. I had my first Z leather done custom since it was a base model. The seats looked just as good as factory... actually better. It was all tight just like factory. It didn't look or feel like leather seat covers, if that's what you mean.

 

Yeah pretty much, but now to find oem or 99% orange with hole pattern and black backs