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Mazda5: No Traction/ Stability Control. Is this an issue?

78 messages,  Last post on Jan 06, 2012 at 9:26 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MAZDA5, Car Safety, Van

Messages Page 7 of 9

#54 of 78 Re: Mazda5: No Traction/ Stability Control. Is this an issue? [cydwel] by jschner

Aug 11, 2008 (6:30 pm)

Replying to: cydwel (Mar 03, 2008 1:16 pm)
The safety issues that were some what in question for this vehicle a few months ago seemed to have been answered recently with the M5 doing very well in safety tests. Better than I thought it would do. I was expecting all 4s because of the small size but the M5 scored a lot of 5/5.
 
The subject of traction control did not matter to me when I purchased our 08 M5 GT in April. I thought about it for 2 seconds thinking it would be a cool option to have but realistically it really isn't all that necessary for where I live. So I'm rather thrilled I saved $500 on an option that I really did not need. I equate traction control being an issue about as much as the car scoring a 4.9/5 in crash tests instead of a 5/5. Really not all that significant to me.
 
Good luck to those who wrote or need it. Maybe 2010 is the year!
 
Now if I lived in a colder climate or had traction issues then yes I think it would be a great option and open more of the market up to Mazda. But the car is what it is and if traction control is a must have item then maybe something like a Rondo would work better for some people.
 
I applaud those who have taken the time to write Mazda and express their feelings about traction control. Maybe in the next couple years it will show up as an optional item like the DVD or navigation for those who need such a thing before it is mandated. But if it's not, then it's Mazda's loss if that is a deal breaker for some as I understand the need in some circumstances.
 
Good luck to those who wrote Mazda and need traction control. Maybe 2010 is the year?

#55 of 78 Re: Retrofit DSC after the fact? NOPE [jonat1x] by maltb

Aug 12, 2008 (9:13 am)

Replying to: jonat1x (Aug 11, 2008 5:52 pm)
"An apparently ill-informed put-down..."
 
Hardly: DSC is all about vehicle dynamics. The Mazda3 and Mazda5 are quite a bit different, dynamically. I'm not sure what you mean about them being mechanically the same: the rear suspension is different.

#56 of 78 Re: [coolmazda5] by autoholic75

Aug 15, 2008 (2:47 pm)

Replying to: coolmazda5 (Aug 11, 2008 5:52 pm)
Thanks collmazda5... and just for the record, your posts (along with others here) provided a great info and experience background, from current owners of the Mz5... as I shopped all of the alternatives. Your posts went a long way toward generating a buzz and getting me seriously excited about, what I had hope, would be my next car. Mazda should be paying you guys for the great PR service you provide.
 
For so many reason the Mz5 seemed "just right", and I was really looking forward to putting in an order for an '09 Blue GT... but stability control for me was just something I couldn't compromise on. I will keep an eye on the model and check in on the forum from time to time.
 
Pleasant (and safe) driving.

#57 of 78 Re: The Post Tally on DSC [autoholic75] by jonk3

Sep 06, 2008 (6:39 pm)

Replying to: autoholic75 (Aug 11, 2008 12:39 pm)
You can add me to the "DSC is a must " camp. I'm also disappointed that the '09 model will not have it, but I might be able to wait for '10. At any rate, hasn't the NHTSA made stability control mandatory for 75% of 2010 models, 95% of 2011 models, and 100% of 2012 models?

#58 of 78 Re: The Post Tally on DSC [jonk3] by coolmazda5

Sep 06, 2008 (7:15 pm)

Replying to: jonk3 (Sep 06, 2008 6:39 pm)
It will be mandatory by 2012 but Where did you get the percentages from?
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stability_control

#59 of 78 Re: The Post Tally on DSC [coolmazda5] by maltb

Sep 08, 2008 (11:28 am)

Replying to: coolmazda5 (Sep 06, 2008 7:15 pm)
Scroll down to Laws in the link you provided.

#60 of 78 Re: The Post Tally on DSC [maltb] by coolmazda5

Sep 08, 2008 (6:08 pm)

Replying to: maltb (Sep 08, 2008 11:28 am)
Duh, LOL

#61 of 78 DSC or TC by vg33e power

Oct 15, 2008 (4:51 pm)

I am fairly new to the Mazda5 forum and I stumbled upon this thread and read it all. I am in my early thirties so by no means did I ever grow up in the muscle car era nor the pre-muscle car era. I know I will probably get a lot of negative responses (maybe not) but as I read this thread it amazed me how much people have changed and progressively transferred "liability" to auto makers.
 
Electronics in vehicles is a fairy new concept that dates back maybe 20 or so years. Vehicles now-a-days are better built and way safer then all those vehicles that we as kids and young adults for some rode in or drove. What happened to being a proactive and safe driver? Why "must" you have all these electronic controls just to prevent you from getting in an accident? We never had them before and we did just fine, why "must" you have it now. Very simple people...if you live in a region where it snows, either get yourself an AWD vehicle, but if you must go the 2WD venue then get yourself a set of snow tires to help traction and drive slower than normal conditions. If you cant control your own vehicle in dry sunny conditions then either maybe you should slow down and obey the speed laws or don't drive at all.
 
The additon of all these gizmos to vehicles by automakers to make it a "safer" car all evolves from stupid, irresponsible people (for lack of a better term) that get into a major accident and want to blame someone else for their mistakes. Believe it or not people, most accidents are caused by human error and not vehicle malfunction. So if you "must" have DSC or TC or whatever alse you feel you must have on the vehicle to make you a safer driver, then go ahead and buy that vehicle. Hey guess what...? Mazda does not offer it on the MZ5 so stop whinning about the automaker decisions and profit this and profit that and go find yourself the vehicle with all your electronic gizmos and buy it. As for me ABS and EBD is far more than enough to control my MZ5. I am a car enthusiast and the last thing I need is a computer driving my vehicle or telling me how to drive it.
 
Just my $0.02

#62 of 78 Re: DSC or TC [vg33e power] by kivo

Oct 16, 2008 (11:58 am)

Replying to: vg33e power (Oct 15, 2008 4:51 pm)
Couldn't have said it any better. I'm 63 and have been driving since I was 22 and have been in 1 accident (not my fault). ESC is nice but I've lived without it with my past 4 cars, so what's the big deal? Grow up and learn to drive and anticipate conditions. I have a 2008 and love it.

#63 of 78 Re: DSC or TC [kivo] by maltb

Oct 16, 2008 (1:59 pm)

Replying to: kivo (Oct 16, 2008 11:58 am)
Since we are having an anti-DSC rally, I'll give my anecdote:
 
I was driving my DSC equipped vehicle a few weeks ago and made a planned hot entrance to a turn. Thinking I would have a small amount of oversteer, I began to compensate. At the same time the DSC kicked in and all but halted me in my turn. It did its job and "saved" me from myself. Talk about scary... In the end, it was a letdown and I'm still curious how this particular car slides. The real negative will come when I get back in a car w/o DSC: as I'm careening out of control, I'll be relaxing and waiting for the DSC to really save me. Reminds me a little of Wall-e and BNL.

Messages Page 7 of 9

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