Is PSM a Necessity?

As a side note, this is a good reason for 987 buyers to consider the Sport Chrono option...because it tones down PSM when in Sport Mode.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by bmussatti

As a side note, this is a good reason for 987 buyers to consider the Sport Chrono option...because it tones down PSM when in Sport Mode.

Yes it does, in fact it allows quite a bit of spin, wheel hop and lateral movement before engaging.

I took it off at the DE in Bremerton Raceway in the skidpad....I learned to steer with the throttle.

I find it difficult to agree with you, racer_d. Aside form the obvious inference that electronic devices naturally indicate a lack of control or experience, the main point is the system is completely disabled easily enough. My point is that with out it being offered? Porsche's market share would be nowhere the size it is today and Boxsters may well have never been marketable. Good, bad or indifferent....it's a cold hard monetary decision. I grew up driving motorcycles, never even had a car till I was in my early 20's and that was on the LA freeways in the 60's. Traction control was your pucker factor.

[kras]

PSM is like seat belts. They provide no benefit --well, unless you actually need them.

A few years ago, I did a 360 on I-95 going 70mph. A sudden shower made the road slick and the car (a Dodge InCrapped) did a full 360 within a matter seconds. I wasn't even changing lanes. It was pretty scary seeing headlights pointing at me rather than brake lights. Somehow I managed to not hit --or get hit. I was pretty lucky.

I have to wonder how the car would have performed if it had a "PSM" type system.

I went from a no TC jeep liberty to a DSC(dynamic stability control) Z3 to a no traction boxster.

Jeep could do burnouts on wet pavement but never really needed TC ever.
Z3 could spin the tires easily and I could fishtail it and bring it back. DSC saved me plenty of times, but I drove it like it had TC (full throttle in snow/slick/wet, etc...)
Boxster has been hard of traction in winter, but you have to drive it gently to get it to move. Going from 2 sports cars, one with, one without TC, I prefer the non TC. But ONLY for experienced drivers. If my Z3 didnt have TC i would have wrecked lots. A 16 y/o with a sports car can only be so good. But at 18 I knew my way around the wheel decent enough to stay out of trouble. And I have so far, knock on wood.

[drburton]

Seems to be a theme that more experienced drivers don't need PSM and novice drivers do.

I couldn't disagree more. Let's keep in mind PSM can be turned off. So if you are an experienced track/autocross driver you can turn it off for your event then back on for normal driving.

At some point in your life you are going to be in a situation that requires split second reaction or a crash. In many of those cases even the most veteran driver will not be able to 'save' the car because you can only do so much. I can say that my traction system on my Touareg saved by butt last year on snow going down a hill and I am a very good driver.

Here is why. PSM can brake a single wheel to straighten a car that would otherwise spin. Unless you know something I don't, I'm pretty sure you can't brake just one wheel without it. Full brakes and countersteering aren't always effective.

To make a long story short PSM is nice to have as a tool that can help in emergency situations - regardless of your driving abilities. I think i saw some insurance stats that said traction control reduces accidents something like 100 times more effectively than anti-lock brakes.

What??? Everyone doesnt have 4 brake pedals?

Originally Posted by drburton

Seems to be a theme that more experienced drivers don't need PSM and novice drivers do.

I couldn't disagree more. Let's keep in mind PSM can be turned off. So if you are an experienced track/autocross driver you can turn it off for your event then back on for normal driving.

At some point in your life you are going to be in a situation that requires split second reaction or a crash. In many of those cases even the most veteran driver will not be able to 'save' the car because you can only do so much. I can say that my traction system on my Touareg saved by butt last year on snow going down a hill and I am a very good driver.

Here is why. PSM can brake a single wheel to straighten a car that would otherwise spin. Unless you know something I don't, I'm pretty sure you can't brake just one wheel without it. Full brakes and countersteering aren't always effective.

To make a long story short PSM is nice to have as a tool that can help in emergency situations - regardless of your driving abilities. I think i saw some insurance stats that said traction control reduces accidents something like 100 times more effectively than anti-lock brakes.

BINGO! well put.