Ok, here goes. I am a mechanical engineer, and thus I can grasp mechanical systems as well as how to use the search button on EvoM. I researched, but I still have a question regarding ACD.

I bought my Evo in April and due to family, job, and other commitments Im only now starting to explore the car. I like the way the gravel setting feels, balance wise, but I fear that driving in gravel mode on dry pavement might tear up the center diff (Since it locks quicker). I also have read comments that the gravel mode makes for a more front biased car, and when Im driving I know in my Evo the a$$ is alot more lively in gravel mode; which would negate the supposed front bias of gravel mode. Any comments on this?

 

the car is always 50/50. the center diff is a clutch type viscous coupling and driving in any mode at any time will not adversely effect the life of the diff.

Power on the rear the the car should be more "lively" in tarmac mode (I know that my MR oversteers much more power on)

Gravel mode allows the diff to onlock quicker which will make the rear more lively when you chop the throttle/trail brake, but it will also reduce the power on oversteer when you get back on the throttle.

 

Yea, I was aware there is a constant 50/50 split. It just seems like the car oversteers under throttle more in the gravel mode. Could just be my imagination.

Either way Im enjoying this car more and more. So sad it will be going away for winter.

 

There's a snow setting as well

 

I know this sounds crazy but some of my fellow trackies comment that too; that oversteer/drifting is easier in Gravel mode.

FWIW I've only tried it once on track and I DID NOT LIKE IT. Having said that, it was a half-a$$ed attempt at going fast

I will give Gravel mode another shot next time around, and I will be sure to leave comments here.

 

I thought the Gravel setting was also for wet tarmac/driving conditions.? At least that's what the sticker said that came on the driver side door when i bought the car.

I don't really understand why you think the gravel setting would tear up the center diff.

 

tristar, as long as you realize that you had it wrong your okay. It locks the fastest in tarmac and slowest in snow not the other way around. IMO the difference is not noticable unless you are on a track or in snow.

Good luck.

 

If you read the manual you will see that what Jasil says is true. The ACD on the USDM cars is actually called E-ACD because the computer drives how it works...and depending on the setting, it looks more actively for different situations where the wheels might slip & lose traction. So if you are not in a situation that will make you wheels slip then you will not notice a difference.

 

If you want more understear (less overstear) on asphalt, what setting would work best?
What are the details between these 3 settings anyways?

 

I don't want to argue, but this is misinformation. Viscous coupling on 03/04, clutch coupling on ACD models.
Gravel mode stays locked longer from what I've read, to add stability. locked=more stable, unlocked=better turn-in.

 

owners manual tells alot.. and there will be no diff, no matter the setting until a wheel or wheels loses traction.. and if you pull the e-brake while driving the acd will become disengaged.. no power to the rear... this is so you can rally the car... if one chooses..

 

pullin tha e brake disengages tha rear? ok so that makes more sense how it seems so easy to rally these cars on snow or dirt. i thought i was cheatin kickin my tail out usin tha e brake instead of just tryin to turn, then gasin. ive found either way with this awd car any type of awd drift without usin tha handbrake is almost impossible to have good control around a turn goin fast. im prob just a sucky driver cause whenever i slide tha evos with tha awd at least on snow it give me this gay just sideways slide that you cant control unless you let off. anyways if someones got tha key to rallyin in snow or dirt. pm cause if im just too crappy of a driver to have to use e brake when thats not what your supposed to then i want to figure it out not usin it. thanx

PEACE

james