PSM on or off?
Poll: PSM on or off?
Total Members Polled: 35
Discussion
I thought I would start a poll on PSM as I switched if off the other day when the roads were wet and greasy but I still had to be very forceful and determined with my steering and throttle to get the back end out.
I would be very interested in hearing your views on PSM and whether you use it or not and your reasons for your choice.
Kind regards
Kul
I would be very interested in hearing your views on PSM and whether you use it or not and your reasons for your choice.
Kind regards
Kul
I tend to leave it on, however after experiencing the difference between 'on' and 'off' at the Porsche Centre Silverstone, it's not as great a system as I thought;
When the car gets out of control, the system tends to just stop the accident getting any worse, but at the same time it prevents you from actually recovering the situation.
With it off, you actually have the control over the throttle to recover the situation.
I think if you're on a spirited drive, specifically driving to/near the limit of grip (and expecting a slide at any second), and you know what you are doing, it might be better to have it off, but at other times (and in general), the system will (should!) be quicker to react than you ever will, so makes sense to leave it on.
The truth is, to recover a slide, you tend to need a bit of room to do so and that room is rarely available on normal single carriageway A and B roads.
When the car gets out of control, the system tends to just stop the accident getting any worse, but at the same time it prevents you from actually recovering the situation.
With it off, you actually have the control over the throttle to recover the situation.
I think if you're on a spirited drive, specifically driving to/near the limit of grip (and expecting a slide at any second), and you know what you are doing, it might be better to have it off, but at other times (and in general), the system will (should!) be quicker to react than you ever will, so makes sense to leave it on.
The truth is, to recover a slide, you tend to need a bit of room to do so and that room is rarely available on normal single carriageway A and B roads.
Over enthusiastic entry to a wet roundabout last Friday (having just watched James Bond, and being in a generally slightly exuberant mood) and I was reminded why I leave it on, nearly all of the time - including whilst out for a run on a Sunday morning.
I agree though - a real 'hand' is probably better off turning it off. I am not, however, a hand. I'm more of a 'hamfist'.
ETA: The tail slide was pretty epic mind you - had it been entirely intentional I'd have been quite proud.
I agree though - a real 'hand' is probably better off turning it off. I am not, however, a hand. I'm more of a 'hamfist'.
ETA: The tail slide was pretty epic mind you - had it been entirely intentional I'd have been quite proud.
On the turbo I keep it on for normal driving and when pressing on on tight roads. When there is space and I want to get the tail working a bit I will turn it off. Having had a couple of day sessions with Andy Walsh and doing some track days has really helped me to learn the limits of the car and what happens when it steps out of line at different speeds with the tc on and off.
I have an elise aswell which doesn't have any tc and it has stepped out of line in the wet unexpectedly on a few occasions in the wet, but after all the training with Andy I was somehow able to control it relatively calmly. I wish it had switchable traction control for the wet weather.
Also I went on the ring with the elise in the pouring wet, which was a complete nightmare, when in turbo I left the tc on and felt more comfortable to push hard in the wet knowing how much the system helps in those situations.
I have an elise aswell which doesn't have any tc and it has stepped out of line in the wet unexpectedly on a few occasions in the wet, but after all the training with Andy I was somehow able to control it relatively calmly. I wish it had switchable traction control for the wet weather.
Also I went on the ring with the elise in the pouring wet, which was a complete nightmare, when in turbo I left the tc on and felt more comfortable to push hard in the wet knowing how much the system helps in those situations.
I've never switched it off on the road as it seems a bit like inviting disaster!
Definitely preferred it off though when I did the Porsche Experience. With it on you had zero control in a slide - I guess it just brings things to a halt as soon as possible. With it off I was able to correct it the vast majority of the time. I assume the difference is all down to whether you can work the throttle or not.
Definitely preferred it off though when I did the Porsche Experience. With it on you had zero control in a slide - I guess it just brings things to a halt as soon as possible. With it off I was able to correct it the vast majority of the time. I assume the difference is all down to whether you can work the throttle or not.
NorthDave said:
I've never switched it off on the road as it seems a bit like inviting disaster!
So true. Switching it off feels akin to saying to your passenger "watch THIS......"
NorthDave said:
Definitely preferred it off though when I did the Porsche Experience. With it on you had zero control in a slide - I guess it just brings things to a halt as soon as possible. With it off I was able to correct it the vast majority of the time. I assume the difference is all down to whether you can work the throttle or not.
Indeed (and whether you are on your toes, ready to correct the situation) 
TryHarder said:
IBTL
Obviously this thread is concerned with 'getting the back out' on closed roads and tracks, so yes PSM off is good fun, on the highway you can get that nice feeling of 'movement' with PSM on, certainly in 'Sport' mode, without getting anywhere near 'losing control'.
The reason I started the poll was to understand the reasons people would switch PSM on or off, it's not specifically to do with 'getting the back end out' as my original post may have alluded to so I apologise if that impression was given Obviously this thread is concerned with 'getting the back out' on closed roads and tracks, so yes PSM off is good fun, on the highway you can get that nice feeling of 'movement' with PSM on, certainly in 'Sport' mode, without getting anywhere near 'losing control'.
Personally I drive with it on 99% of the time after a sphincter tightening moment on a long sweeping right hander but everybody is different.
Edit - As a side note, what does IBTL mean? Thanks
Edited by V8KSN on Thursday 1st November 14:40
I was at Knockhill last weekend and drove with the PSM off, didn't make an ounce of difference since I never broke traction even though I was really hoofing it.
Realistically though, you can't turn it off. Someone will correct me if im wrong but the way I understand it is that PSM on allows you 7% slip angle, switch it off and this limit is removed but the first time you touch the brake pedal psm is active again.
I wish I had realised this before I purchased my 996tt
Realistically though, you can't turn it off. Someone will correct me if im wrong but the way I understand it is that PSM on allows you 7% slip angle, switch it off and this limit is removed but the first time you touch the brake pedal psm is active again.
I wish I had realised this before I purchased my 996tt
tezza77 said:
....Realistically though, you can't turn it off. Someone will correct me if im wrong but the way I understand it is that PSM on allows you 7% slip angle, switch it off and this limit is removed but the first time you touch the brake pedal psm is active again.
I wish I had realised this before I purchased my 996tt
I wish I had realised this before I purchased my 996tt
Not sure on a 996, but think it stays off on a 997. tezza77 said:
I was at Knockhill last weekend and drove with the PSM off, didn't make an ounce of difference since I never broke traction even though I was really hoofing it.
Realistically though, you can't turn it off. Someone will correct me if im wrong but the way I understand it is that PSM on allows you 7% slip angle, switch it off and this limit is removed but the first time you touch the brake pedal psm is active again.
I wish I had realised this before I purchased my 996tt
Depends on the model - but I think on my 997C2S it was properly "off" until you engaged the ABS under braking. Certainly did some great spins on the Kick Plate at Silverstone PEC when I'd practiced for a bit, got cocky and went in a bit too fast .... Realistically though, you can't turn it off. Someone will correct me if im wrong but the way I understand it is that PSM on allows you 7% slip angle, switch it off and this limit is removed but the first time you touch the brake pedal psm is active again.
I wish I had realised this before I purchased my 996tt
t my pants. MadMark911 said:
Depends on the model - but I think on my 997C2S it was properly "off" until you engaged the ABS under braking. Certainly did some great spins on the Kick Plate at Silverstone PEC when I'd practiced for a bit, got cocky and went in a bit too fast ....
I think on the 997 / Cayman it is off until ABS is triggered on one front wheel, it will then help to keep the car stable under braking but will be off again when the brakes are released.In Sport mode ( with PSM off ) it waits until both front wheels trigger the ABS before coming on.
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