DCCD vs Normal

[STi_Bandit]

Was wondering if anyone has had the opportunity to feel the difference between a

"normal" STi (with passive diffs) and a 2005 STi with DCCD on

ice or compact snow (or on really slippery roads) ?

I'd like to hear about anybody's experiences.

Martin

[scooby222]

having driven from edinburgh to perth through a blizzard at 1 am i can say i didnt notice much problem with the dcccd, the bridgestones on the other hand....

[Carl Davey]

Not on a Newage but i have experienced a direct comparison between MY98 UK on Toyo T1-S (non-DCCD) and MY98 STi RA on F1's (with DCCD).

The old UK car used to be good once you got moving in the snow. You had to puhttp://' target="_blank">ssy-foot around a bit but the car was very predictable and the back end would step out nicely and it was easy to keep it there. I tried to do the same stepping out routine in the RA this winter (same corner etc) with the diff wound almost fully forward (compact snow) and just found oodles and oodles of grip. I tried this a few times and found that with the diff locked the car became far more stable than anything i'd ever driven previously on snow (well, perhaps not the Manitou []).

IMO the DCCD can be much safer in the snow if used correctly although i'm sure it wouldn't hesitate in biting back. I tend to think of it like the diff-lock in a tractor or big 4x4... except it's adjustable. I'm no John Felstead when using the DCCD but am finding that the car becomes much more usable when you get the hang of adjusting it on the move. Roll it forward somewhere between the first two greens when on sweeping A-roads (perhaps first amber if it's raining or there's standing water) and wind it forward approximately another notch for twistie bits. A lot of it is down to experimentation though and finding what suits your driving style, remember the diff is infinitely adjustable between fully open and fully closed.

[colin_ross]

Or just leave it wide open "man style". Be ready to catch the back end though.[]