996 PSM

Hi chaps Can anyone tell me the advantages of PSM? Is it a major option to have or just needed for extreme use? Did it replace the traction control option on pre face lift cars? What standard traction control does a post face lift (02 03)996 have? Gratefull for an opinion chaps P

IMO it's an essential option. Some people agree, some disagree. If you take your car to a wide open space, drive it to 40mph and move the steering wheel hard left and right, first with PSM on and then again with it off, see what happens. It looks at the speed of the spinning wheels and independently applies the brake. There is a downside to tracking a car with PSM, but if you use it as an everyday drive, then I'd recommend it. "However, if you require more fun, you can turn the PSM off. When you "turn it off," you are taking only the outputs offline. The PSM system is still collecting data from the ABS system, the yaw sensor, the lateral acceleration sensors and the steering wheel position sensor. If you have PSM off, and the levels of slip are exceeded, and you do not touch the brakes, the car will continue to slide. If you have not exceeded the levels of slip allowed, and apply the brakes (no matter how hard), PSM will not active its outputs. However, if you have exceeded the levels, AND apply the brakes (no matter how hard), PSM will activate until the car has regained control or you get off the brakes, at which point PSM stops outputting. PSM assumes that since you hit the brakes that you are not comfortable with the level of sliding and that you want it to help" http://www.devwebsphere.com/porsche/2006/10/good_explanatio.html Some racers are comfortable with the slide at exceeded levels and don't want PSM to come when the brakes are applied, but it is an *excessive* level and not somewhere I'd be comfortable going (ie. above 7% slip angle, higher than other traction control systems). Cheers, GD

As a mere mortal, I wouldn't be without it.

Thank Porshe for PSM!!!! saved me from a serious humdinger once!!!!! :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

got me out of bother a few times - certainly helps to sort lift off over steer that and a bit of opposite lock :thumbs:

is it possible to retrofit traction control to a C2 1998 3.54 litre, or is it not economical? Kind Regards Edward

PSM is one of the only things you can't retro fit... You either have it or you don't...

I aint got it and despite rattling round a few corners a little faster than maybe I should, I haven't needed it yet. Had a little warning slip on ocasion but very progressive and very catchable. I guess I'll only miss it when I REALLY need it!!!

yeah, it will teach me to drive thats for sure if I can master it, most other cars should be a doddle, 300bhp, rear engine, rear wheel drive, no traction control, pretty manly!

An extra question if I may: Does it therefore allow you (on a track for example) to keep your foot to the floor around any corner in any conditions without skidding? I tried a 996 C2 without PSM on a dry runway and couldn't get the back to break away - I lost my nerve before the car did. The car just gripped and gripped and squealed a bit. In dry normal road conditions, even if you were pressing on, would a Porsche ever need PSM? (Did you buy your car, Pete?)

Yes, the easiest way to get PSM on is get up to about 40mph and then brake in a straight line so that you get your ABS on. Quite hard to do, but make sure you stamp the brakes. Then do exactly the same thing, but this time, move the steering wheel hard left to right. Then see what happens. Try this in a big empty car park, when your tyres are running low. PSM cannot overcome pure physics, so giving it the complete and total big one will cause problems. The difference is that independent wheel braking will bring the car under control/keep the car under control for longer. Keeping your foot down and driving around in the dry with PSM off will get the back end out eventually (if you go quick enough and in a tight enough circle). Fifth Gear (might have been an old Top Gear) had Tif Needle doing exactly the same in the wet. The rear end broke away about 40mph (IIRC) and the PSM equiped model went quicker (to about 45mph, I think), the rear end wouldn't brake away, but the car wouldn't go above the speed. Cheers, GD

I found out about PSM when I did Andy Walsh's car limits airfield track day. Turning it off allows you to actually feel whats going on with the car, and slide it around a bit more. With it on, the car feels like its keeping a very sturdy eye on you and nudging you back into the correct position if you step out of line. I think its great to have on standard roads, and great to be able to turn off when you get on track.

I had the same experience with Bernard Aubrey teaching me. Full right lock, first gear, clutch out (make sure you have plenty of space) moving at a slow idle rev based speed. With PSM off and holding on to the wheel press hard on the 'fast pedal'. The car's back end will be infront of you before you know it. Now put PSM on and do the same thing, it's ALOT harder to get the back end swinging around in front of you. I was told if you've got it never turn it off. Tracking is different though and I believe even with it off it's never really off (as been mentioned before)...

Gosh, is PSM/traction control standard on the later 996's? Your one must have had traction control? My 1998 example has no driver aids at all apart from ABS, and will slide around corners at 30mph in the wet, and and not much more in the dry, great fun around london at night when deserted :wink:

Standard on all 996 Carrera 4 but optional extra on the 2...