I have recently purchased 2012 Evo X MR Touring with SST Dual Clutch. Yes, i read the whole manual and there is nothing there about launch control feature. I found a thread with some instructions how to initiate it and tried it with no luck.
So i did the following sequence:
-Super Sport mode
-Turn ASC off (push button once to turn off skid control function and the traction control function) AYC braking control still ON
-Left food hard on the brake
-Right foot on the throttle go up to 5000 rpm
-Realease the brake

In this sequence i was unable to go over 3000 rpm and achieve smooth quick launch.
I also tried the same sequence but with ASC and AYC completely off (hold ASC button continuously for over 3 secs)

Same result i couldn't go over 3000rpm, car seemed not to like it and she demonstrated it clearly by throwing transmission overheat warning.

My question is, is this launch control a legit feature of this fine automobile or is it simply abuse of an SST transmission? Or am i doing something wrong?

 

You need to bury your foot into the brake.

Like push it to the floorboard and hold it, then push and hold the gas all the way.

It feels weird. It feels wrong. But that's the way to do it. I've done it once or twice for the novelty then didn't again. I think it is more stress than the drivetrain needs so don't bother with it.

Now I don't know if the 2012 has launch control, but if it does, this is how you do it. Don't halfass it, bury your brake, then the same for the gas. If it doesn't stop at 5k you don't have launch control.

 

Thanks for advice, i will give it one more try but i think there is a chance that 2012 may not have it. Not a big deal if it doesn't, i will be taking it to the road track rather than drag strip anyway.

 

2012 has it, like Napalm said, you need to go all in. Bury the brake pedal and bury the throttle, don't half *** it.

 

Alright than, i will go all out on it, after all SST transmission guru is located near by in Colorado Springs

 

I just got back from my "unofficial rally cross track" and i've tried what you guys have recommended -and IT WORKED like a charm, Thanks! This car is amazing. I thought i would miss my nicely built 5spd WRX, but SST Evo X simply outperforms it on every level.
One more question still remains. How much ware does it do to the clutch/transmission. I assume since the car is equipped with this feature it shouldn't be damaging to the drivetrain components, but why they don't say nothing about it in the manual remains a mystery.

 

Glad it worked out! It is difficult to quantify wear and tear but I'm pretty sure the clutch packs take the majority of the punishment from doing this. There are a lot of variables however to say it will lead to this much excessive wear. The best you can do is drive the SST as follows to maximize your clutch pack life:

- Always drive in S Sport manual
- Always let the car warm up for 10 minutes driving around easy before punching it. You can punch it sooner but you will wear more clutch while the transmission is coming up to temp.
- Put the car in neutral when sitting at long red lights
- Change the SST fluid every 30k, sooner if you track it frequently

I agree with you on the SST versus manual. I couldn't find anything I could do better or faster than the SST which is what sold me.

Enjoy and I'm crazy jealous you get to drive your car around Colorado with all the natural beauty!

 

Colorado is indeed rally car heaven, but we loose power at altitude and quite a bit of it.
Why would you always drive in S-Sport manual?

 

Evo x mr open dump launch control.


http://youtu.be/MAQ0C_Uu4jg

 

Man S-Sport is overkill imo, with a tune and Sport auto or Manual for me that take 99% of what I am trying to accomplish. S-Sport is just for select twisties on a very good open road.

 

S Sport manual is recommended to prolong your clutch packs, as there is less slipping driving this method. Also you have the power when you need it, anytime. Additionally if you are modified it is not recommended to punch it (WOT) in sport or normal mode as it really stresses the clutches when you do so when modified and not in S Sport mode.

Honestly I prefer driving in S Sport manual all the time because I can now feel the clutches slipping more in Sport or Normal. Also the shifts are smooth and instantaneous which I prefer.

There is no 'overkill' for driving in S Sport, unless you put it in S Sport Automatic, then yes, that is overkill as you tool up to the stoplight with Molly McMinivan and your car is revving to 5k constantly down to 1st gear.

I know you have to replace clutch packs after a while, as it is a wear item, but I would rather reduce that interval as much as possible, so S Sport manual it is. (and it feels the best!)

P.S. I know the feels of losing power at altitude with a turbo car. Took my 05 WRX up to Colorado for a couple weeks and everything was one gear lower to get going than down here at sea level lol.

 

They say less friction in SS and more slipping in normal and sport??
How much more slipping is it in SS vs Sport? How much more longer will my clutches last, Longevity issues?

You dont need to be in SS to drive all the time (shifting gears all the time is boring) Im at almost 150K miles in my 2010 MR. Original packs, changed the fluid and filter twice. 350whp+ since 50 something K miles too!
99% of the time shes always in Auto Sport, never in nuetral at stops, still no clutch issues!! First 50+K miles she was my wife's DD and she drove her only in Normal.

 

That's impressive, I thought that would result in higher wear and tear and would have thought you would have replaced the clutch packs by now. From what I understood, but you stand in contrast to that lol, you reduce overall wear by anywhere between 20-30% driving s-sport manual everywhere.

But if I got 150k out of clutch packs I would be happy as I consider 100k a good life for a stickshift clutch.

Thanks for chiming in! Nice to know there are some modded MR's out there that still have the original clutch packs with high mileage. Very cool...

 

Wow, that is awesome. I have 49K on my 2011. At what mileage marks did you replace the tranny fluid/filters?

 

It should have been done at 30K and then every 30K there after unless you track the car, then you need to change it more often. I dont track my MR so i couldnt tell you... I do however always drive between Sport and SS. Never in normal.