Hi guys,

I've had this question on my mind for quite some time. I've had my '01 TT to two driver education days and have noticed a change in the application of PSM - especially on the street.

On turns where PSM would have kicked in fairly early before it seems to be letting me drive harder now after the 2 DE days. Same thing at the track - it doesn't really come on unless I'm getting the back end stepping out or the car's pushing in the turn (street tires still).

The instructor I had for the 2 events has a C4 and swears the PSM system learns your driving style. I don't recall seeing any reference to this system being able to learn or adjust/adapt in the manual or on any forum but alas, it does seem like there's a difference (but maybe I'm just driving better ).

Can anyone shed some light on this?


Thanks,
Steve

 

I haven't heard that it "learns" how you drive your car. What I know is that it won't activate unless you press your brakes in a turn. Once it senses that you're going to be in trouble, it tries to get you out of it.

 

psm intervenes automatically by default. if you turn it off, it'll only reactivate when you step on brake. i think that's why you mean.

i don't think psm is adaptive. activation of psm is set by a parameter. it doesn't make sense to make the parameter adaptive based on driving style imo.

 

PSM even when turned off still works in passive mode.... ist still working but in a different way... and u dont have to hit the brakes to do it either.... I read the manual once...

 

They used to call the learning ability "fuzzy logic." I'm not sure what the catchy term is today, but many car's have an ecu (engine control unit) with the ability to learn the drive's style. This historically has been more for fuel and timing. For example, it will adapt differently to a 65 year old gas pedal conservative lady compared to a 25 year old hot foot.

I wouldn't be surprised if the PSM has some form of this, but I doubt it because it is a safety feature. I suspect the decreased PCM activation you are noticing is beacuse of your improved driving skills. Track experience makes a huge difference. Great job and keep it up!

 

PSM has no learning functions. It is a fixed program.

 

Guys - thanks for all the responses. What everyone stated is basically what I suspected including the improved driving skills. Those driver ed days a great and I'm looking forward to do lots more this year!

Also, to clarify, I've been running with PSM on and not defeated. I have seen lots of threads about how it comes back on if you get way out of sorts or if you hit the breaks and activate ABS. The scenarios I listed in the original thread are all with PSM on.

On a similar note - is there any difference in the PSM programming between an '01 Turbo vs later years (02-05) or even on new cars like the 997 or Caymen? I don't mean it's integration with PASM or other new features but in it's ability to allow the car to slide or be more "fun" as some of the reviews of the Caymen seem to imply.

Thanks again - great site!
-Steve

 

I noticed it in the Cayman but not in the 997 that I drove on the track. The 997 might have it but I can't tell for sure.

 

Hey Stephen, I believe I read somewhere, a couple of years ago, that if you have your windshield wipers set to the "auto - rain detect" mode, PSM becomes more aggressive (intrusive). Do you know if this is true?

Mike

 

Hmm interesting info, i know my traction kicks in with it on only when spinning in first, doesnt interfere really at all, even in the cold weather it will bog in first for a tiny bit then in between the gear, when i turn it off it still spins but doesnt cut off the power at all, i can actually step the back end out from 1st to 2nd in this 30-40 degree weather and get the back end out easily on a turn and control it, that's why i love this car now learning how to drive it and its RWD like tendencies over AWD.

Does anyone know if later model turbo's are more aggressive psm wise? I doubt it but a friends 03 really bogs down

 

I read that the 997TT will have PSM that allows a little more driver excess than previous programming.

 

The 997 does a have less control then the 996 did. That is confirmed.