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Stabilitrak

Axxlrod

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Axxlrod Enthusiast

Axxlrod

Posted
Posted

I was wondering if the members of this board who have the Stabilitrak system on their 2003 vehicles think the system is good or not.  I'm considering the option, but the marketing blurbs don't really convince me it's a great thing.  Do you guys that have it like it? Can you even tell it is there?

 

Please give me your opinions.

TxDoc Senior Enthusiast

TxDoc

Posted
Posted

On media.gm.com, there is some info. One of the magazines had a test on snow. The one thing that I think I read was it  requires open differentials on both ends. No locker, no limited-slip....in case that is important to you. I cannot swear to that, but will check.  And, it does not operate at speeds over 25-30 mph.  I scanned the article. Let me know if you want it emailed. Oh, and I think I posted it on here. If I can find it with a search, I'll pop it back up.

 

"Will be an option on all GM 5.3L 1500 series SUV's AND extended cab pickups", from July/Aug Truck Trend. Article scanned below.

 

The new four channel StabiliTrak operates in harmony with the antilock brake and traction control systems to selectively apply any of the four brakes in an effort to help the driver counteract and diffuse potentially dangerous handling situations, such as severe oversteer or understeer. This four-channel StabiliTrak system is designed to optimize vehicle contact with the road surface.

 

Stability enhancement helps a driver maintain control, increasing the odds of avoiding a crash. While loss of control is most likely to happen on ice, snow or wet pavement, these systems improve stability on a variety of surfaces and speeds, as well as in emergency lane changes or avoidance maneuvers.

 

"Stability enhancement increases the ability of the driver to control the truck," Woychowski said. "GM's systems are designed to feel natural and to provide smooth, transparent assistance only when it is necessary. In most cases, the driver doesn't know that the system has been activated, except for an indicator light on the instrument panel."

 

As impressive as these systems are, it is important to remember that they cannot override physics. There will be circumstances in which this technology will not be able to overcome gross driver error or other road hazards.

StabiliTrak

GM's next-generation StabiliTrak stability enhancement system - previously only available on luxury vehicles and sports cars - is now optional on 1500 Series models equipped with the Vortec 5300 5.3L V8 engine. StabiliTrak's sophisticated sensors tap into the suspension, steering, antilock braking and traction control systems, constantly measuring steering angle, wheel speeds, brake pressure, lateral and longitudinal acceleration and yaw rate (the vehicle rotation rate, such as when cornering).

 

Basically, StabiliTrak helps move the vehicle where the driver points it, responding to understeer or oversteer in mere tenths of a second. It compares the driver's intended path with the vehicle's actual path, and selectively adjusts engine torque and any of the four brakes to help bring the vehicle back under control. On 2WD models, traction is controlled by transferring torque across the rear axle (rather than all differentials on 4WD models) to whichever rear wheel has the most traction.

 

In 4WD models, drivers get full StabiliTrak benefits in 4AUTO. StabiliTrak can be partially turned off in 4AUTO and on 2WD models, and still provide partial yaw stability and traction control, plus full ABS control. Only the engine management is deactivated, allowing drivers to freely spin the vehicle's wheels when in deep snow, sand or gravel. In 4WD models, selecting 4LO completely shuts off StabiliTrak, creating a low-gear ratio with extra torque for better hill climbing, towing a boat up a launch or controlling vehicle speed for descents down steep declines without constant use of the brakes.

CapnDean Enthusiast

CapnDean

Posted
Posted

Hey Axxl:

 

  I'm with you on this....and I think that the answer to the question is:   NOT YET.

 

In the aviation industry there are several technological advancements that make us safer.  Example:  Autopilot...it can probably do a better job keeping an aircraft in straight/level flight than a human can (assuming bumpy conditions)...BUT:  What pilot is ready to "turn over control" to a machine?

 

Similar principal in a truck--Who's in charge here?  Me or the computer?  Granted that the computer can be infinitely better applying and releasing brakes on 4 wheels independent of the driver's wishes...

 

Just remember the AirBus industries air show (I think it was in France)....Where an A300 was on perfect approach to land...the pilot & the computer got into a disagreement on whether they should land or take off....I don't remember who was on what side of the equation but the end result was a spectacular sight......an A300 mowing the tops off of trees until it crashed.   And to think that this was a show designed to show off the value of the 'glass cockpit'.

 

The technology is coming, and quickly so...I just don't think that we are quite there yet!

 

My 2 cents...again.

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