Thread: How safe is a D4?

Originally Posted by shanegtr

Been there done that, not much fun being in a spinal brace for 3 months. I wouldnt have a 4wd (or any other high centre of gravity car) without DSC now as it would have prevented our previous car from going over.



I did read something a while ago that ANCAP would be adding roof strength test in, but not sure when that would come into play

Careful about what you wish for. DSC can also force you into a worse situation.

If you overcook it into a corner on a loose sweeping corner DSC will attempt to straighten the vehicle up...
If there happens to be a culvert and big trees on the outside of the bend things can get ugly!

Rolled disco



5 Star Audi vs 4 star D3 G4 (at over 200km/h)

As has been mentioned previously DSC may not prevent a 'roll over'. Many people are of the opinion that new electronic aids will prevent things from happening, however physics is always a factor to consider. They may try to do their best but it may still ultimately not prevent the incident. This in turn leads people to be rather complacent and to place their trust in the electronics rather than on their own driving ability.

Regards

XDrive

Sadly true.. Very few people actually have driving ability. Most have basic capability.

And driver training now is to pass the test rather than drive effectively.

A D3 roll-over in video form Sydney woman walks away relatively unscathed after driving up tow truck ramp and flipping car in dramatic crash - 9news.com.au

Having been elbow deep in a D3, and seeing the strength of the structure, the thickness of the materials used, I would have no hesitation in saying they are safe.

Originally Posted by Tombie

Careful about what you wish for. DSC can also force you into a worse situation.

If you overcook it into a corner on a loose sweeping corner DSC will attempt to straighten the vehicle up...
If there happens to be a culvert and big trees on the outside of the bend things can get ugly!

Originally Posted by XDrive

As has been mentioned previously DSC may not prevent a 'roll over'. Many people are of the opinion that new electronic aids will prevent things from happening, however physics is always a factor to consider. They may try to do their best but it may still ultimately not prevent the incident. This in turn leads people to be rather complacent and to place their trust in the electronics rather than on their own driving ability.

Regards

XDrive

I agree with you guys that it may not help in every situation. Best case is DSC kicks in and you still roll over, but the roll is potentially less severe compared to without DSC. As I said in my post, DSC would have prevented our previous car from going over in that particular circumstance - where my wife was driving, straight section of road and got a couple of wheels into the gravel. Corrected a little to aggressivly on over it went 4 1/2 times.

I've actually had a bit of a play around with my D3 and done an mock repeat of the circumstance just to see and feel how the DSC works and kicks in ( first car I've owned with it) and I was amazed at how aggressivly it works.

How lucky was the white car coming the other way!

Originally Posted by sheerluck

A D3 roll-over in video form Sydney woman walks away relatively unscathed after driving up tow truck ramp and flipping car in dramatic crash - 9news.com.au

Having been elbow deep in a D3, and seeing the strength of the structure, the thickness of the materials used, I would have no hesitation in saying they are safe.

Shane it's just good to hear that you have recovered from your experience.

Hopefully you don't have too many ongoing issues with your back..