DSC Dilemma
- Thread starter JonZ4G
- Start date
made me laugh out loud at apparently nothing in front of the family 
I suspect that when it's engaged the DSC does meter the power even before the light comes on, at least on the ///M. Hard acceleration from rest with DSC engaged is less brisk than with it switched off (even when there's a bit of wheel spin with it off).
The ///M is fairly progressive wrt how quickly traction is lost, rather than snapping suddenly. That said, when you completely over step the limit, it can be really, really hard to reign it back in. I've only ever properly lost it once and thankfully that was on a track (Accelerating out of a tight bend in second gear it started to oversteer at about 50mph, tried to steer into it and, for some reason I can't explain, I buried the throttle leading to several smoky 360s)
I don't know how the other cars behave since they have no LSD, but the ///M is really transformed once the DSC handcuffs are off (just be careful because the day you think you've mastered it may well be the day it chucks you into a tree).
The ///M is fairly progressive wrt how quickly traction is lost, rather than snapping suddenly. That said, when you completely over step the limit, it can be really, really hard to reign it back in. I've only ever properly lost it once and thankfully that was on a track (Accelerating out of a tight bend in second gear it started to oversteer at about 50mph, tried to steer into it and, for some reason I can't explain, I buried the throttle leading to several smoky 360s)
I don't know how the other cars behave since they have no LSD, but the ///M is really transformed once the DSC handcuffs are off (just be careful because the day you think you've mastered it may well be the day it chucks you into a tree).
I have a coupe and tried driving it in the snow tonight. I saw the little yellow dsc icon showing at times showing it was kicking in.
I tried pressing the button, I tried holding it for 3 seconds too and I didnt see any lights or indication that anything had changed. According to the manual If I had turned the dsc off i should have seen a solid dsc icon on the instruments right ?
Also, Does the car go back to the default of dsc on dtc off when it is first turned on or does it remember its last setting?
I got a bit stuck just outside my garage on ice. One rear wheel was not turning but the other was (still getting me nowhere fast), I couldent see the dsc icon coming on. Does this mean I had managed to turn dsc/dtc off? or does it sound like it was on?
<Confused>
Dave
I tried pressing the button, I tried holding it for 3 seconds too and I didnt see any lights or indication that anything had changed. According to the manual If I had turned the dsc off i should have seen a solid dsc icon on the instruments right ?
Also, Does the car go back to the default of dsc on dtc off when it is first turned on or does it remember its last setting?
I got a bit stuck just outside my garage on ice. One rear wheel was not turning but the other was (still getting me nowhere fast), I couldent see the dsc icon coming on. Does this mean I had managed to turn dsc/dtc off? or does it sound like it was on?
<Confused>
Dave
Three modes, if you really push it. Granny mode, a default mode with traction and stability and stability control. Man mode which gives you stability control but your guardian angel still hovers over your shoulder to prevent minor infractions of Newton's laws from ruining your day. And, finally, Pre 2010 mode. You are responsible for your own right foot's activity. I don't know if manufactures can ever engineer elimination of operator stupidity with out totally taking the fun out of driving performance automobiles.
The reason why the non-///Ms will spin up one rear wheel when grip is low is the lack of an LSD. With an LSD, the power would have gone to the other wheel. Why the DSC light didn't come on I don't know.
Taz, as for switching off all the driving aids, it's a perfectly reasonable thing to do as long as the conditions are dry and you exercise a bit of caution
I don't think your insurance would be able to hold off payment in the event of an accident unless they could prove you were driving recklessly.
Taz, as for switching off all the driving aids, it's a perfectly reasonable thing to do as long as the conditions are dry and you exercise a bit of caution
I don't think your insurance would be able to hold off payment in the event of an accident unless they could prove you were driving recklessly.As an FYI almost all insurance documents state that if your car is equipped with traction control and you turn it off - you are no longer insured. So if it's detectable, in theory if an uninsured driver hit you and they bothered to check then you could end up not covered despite not being at fault.
Tbh if you've got a RWD and you turn it off on the road you are a fool. DSC is there for when something unexpected happens - it's a great safety net when you get into some trouble that may not even be your fault. Do turn if off on a track though, there are big run-offs and everyone is going in the same direction.
Tbh if you've got a RWD and you turn it off on the road you are a fool. DSC is there for when something unexpected happens - it's a great safety net when you get into some trouble that may not even be your fault. Do turn if off on a track though, there are big run-offs and everyone is going in the same direction.
Taz x said:
Not if someone drives into you!
Boogle said:
I'm sorry, but such generalisations really are utter nonsense! Different drivers have differing levels of experience and confidence when driving RWD cars. Some may never be confident (or safe) switching DSC off, especially if their formative driving years were spent in front wheel drive cars. Others will be perfectly safe driving with DSC off at all times in all conditions. I agree that DSC is a useful adjunct, especially in wet weather, but DSC will not rewrite the laws of physics. If you rely on DSC to save you from yourself on a daily basis, you'll come a cropper sooner or later. Far better to learn the limits of your car and of your capabilities, and drive within them, using DSC accordingly.
Boogle said:
I just read through an extremely lengthy insurance document from my insurers - there is no mention of stability control, traction control, or anthing similar, and certainly no mention of withholding payment if these are disengaged. Although, if you disengage DSC and then have an accident whilst committing a road traffic offence you'd be lucky to have a claim paid.
Bing said:Saved my ass on the M25 today in very wet conditions, though I felt everything going wrong fractionally before any lights flashed. Yesterday on empty slushy roads with DTC on had some fun on a couple roundabouts and corners, the bottled it
As I said, it has its uses in wet weather, as does switching it off
Hope you had a good road trip?
BMWZ4MC said:
If you want to learn the limits of your car, go take it to an abandoned car park, or better yet an airfield. There are plenty of driver training courses on skid pans, etc. You'll learn a lot more with an instructor and conditions set up to demonstrate handling & emergency situations. Driving around aimlessly on public roads with other road users just waiting for something to happen so you can 'practice' is outright dangerous. If you're relying on DSC on a daily basis then you're driving recklessly - DSC should only engage in an emergency. I've seen plenty of professional race drivers crash despite having much more practice than you or I, so if these people can make mistakes I think it best to have a co-pilot who helps out if I find my bag of talent half empty.
There are plenty of stories over at Piston Heads where people come a cropper who thought driving aggressively without DSC was a good idea. I'll link the most influential one for myself here. Scroll down to 10 Pence Short. This thread goes on for a long time and includes experiences in prison, a letter from the injured biker, and so on.
In short as you said DSC can't re-write the laws of physics. It's there when you're minding your own business and something just happens. A good example is here where even Tiff Needell (who's probably a better driver than any of us here) benefits from it immensely.
Edit: Just wanted to make it clear I don't disagree with the point you're trying to make in principle. Just that we have a lot more people on the road now and a lot more people doing rather silly things which means when you make mistakes or get 'caught out' you're more likely to hit someone. For example a few days ago someone coming towards me decided to go into my lane and drive straight at me. In ideal circumstances I can brake without ABS assist and get pretty close to the performance of an ABS-equipped car through modulation of the pedal. However the panic of a car doing something so stupid and unexpected meant I mashed the brakes; I was quite glad I had ABS. Btw they drove at me so they could turn into a junction on my side of the road - apparently they had a death wish as well as a burning desire to turn off the main road.
:lol: