DSC V's DTC

Z

Zed

Member
 Scotland, Renfreshire
I was wondering if any of you have a preference as to which mode you select most often?

Be gentle as I'm new to the Z4!!

Reason for asking is I've just come home on wet roads, not too greasy and thought I know, lets try DTC instead. Found the car much more predictable over DSC in that the latter has more control over the car and sures itself up if you're cornering at moderate speed (roundabouts etc) and maybe accelerate too quickly (remember I'm still getting used to the car). With DTC I felt much more in control and the car responded better to my input as apposed to it taking control for my mistakes? Basically, 'I' felt more confident and the car more predictable with DSC off.

Anything wrong? Sound about right? Am I being a muppet? Your pref?

Been checking MPG as well, car returned 34 (using DTC) on the normal way home as opposed to the standard 28 (using DSC), probably totally unrelated but I'll keep an eye on it.

Car is stock, 3.0SE '04, std suspension, not '//M'

-Chris.
 
:oops:

I would add that I treat my cars very well, don't drive like a loon, used to other BMW's and the rear wheel drive setup and 'some' back-end movement, it's a sports car after all?
 
DSC button on the console, 1 press deactivates DSC and turns on DTC (shown on instrument cluster too), another press to return to DSC. Both DSC and DTC can be deactivated by a longer press but not something I would ever do!
 
Funny you should mention that, I was on my way in to work and as it was all icy I wondered how to turn on and off my DCS/DTC as I am a bit of a noob and have still not read my owners manual and I have owned my Z for over 6 months now.
 
I hardly ever drive in any other mode than DSC. I, on occasion, use DTC to ensure I don't get bogged on loose surfaces or in snow as it doesn't kill all the power if the wheels start spinning. However, last time I used it in snow I almost had the car sideways on a straight bit of road.

The fundamental difference between the two modes is that DTC allows more wheelspin at low speeds.
 
i have played a bit- still nervous to stay with all off- although when you do the tail out action
is brill. Is DTC safe for everyday use - ie will it catch a slide resonibly easily if i dont?
 
paddy wright said:
Is DTC safe for everyday use - ie will it catch a slide resonibly easily if i dont?
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I'd be careful; I had a slide under DTC in the snow and it took a lot of lock to catch.

Always bear in mind that the way stability systems control oversteer is to turn it into understeer, which can be a problem if a truck's on the other side of the road.
 
Yup, there's a host of information out there on DSC/DTC, most have got it right but think I'm same as most, would NOT turn both off, just fishing to see who prefers what...

To me, DSC does the most and will gather you up, turn oversteer into understeer and provides the safest mode. DTC, whilst still providing safety it would still collect the car but not as safe as DSC. Most leave DSC on (it is the default after all) but I'm going to try DTC for a while as it felt better to me. Obviously there are situations where you'd select one or tuther...
 
Had some not too favourable experiences with my previous car with the electronic brain, which makes me nervous of them, but BMW's seems well judged as I can hardly tell when they had intervened.
 
i find it easiest to drive with everything off. Powersliding seems to be the safest way around corners for me :wink:
 
bmwmike said:
i find it easiest to drive with everything off. Powersliding seems to be the safest way around corners for me
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:rofl:
Isn't one of the main differences that DSC emulates a limited sliip diff ? I don't have this choice as I've got a LSD but it was something like this if i remember. I try and drive with the DSC off as much as possible as I feel its silly getting used to a car in nanny-mode..
Enter someone with a more useful answer..
 
Andy, agreed, gunna drive with DTC for a while, not confident enough on our roads to turn it ALL off, weather and surface is too unpredictable!

Mike.... :driving: BANG :dizzy:
 
I drive with the DSC of quite a bit.
DSC is a pain in the a$s if your caught in a situation where you need to floor it in first. No grip....NO POWER :o
 
... after a search..

"For safety, the Z4 comes standard with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC). By touching a button, DTC increases the slip on rear wheels to coincide with actual driving conditions. This is said to offer the same agility as a sports car with a limited-slip differential without forfeiting the benefits of the stability control system."
 
Andy said:
bmwmike said:
i find it easiest to drive with everything off. Powersliding seems to be the safest way around corners for me
Click to expand...
:rofl:
Isn't one of the main differences that DSC emulates a limited sliip diff ? I don't have this choice as I've got a LSD but it was something like this if i remember. I try and drive with the DSC off as much as possible as I feel its silly getting used to a car in nanny-mode..
Enter someone with a more useful answer..
Click to expand...


Close! DTC is supposed to simulate a LSD but is terrible at it, far too intrusive. I always switch the DTC off as I have an LSD and the two systems are always combating each other. I prefer not to have traction control anyway regardless of whether there's an LSD or not.

DSC has the main purpose of saving you if your about to spin out. It measures lateral G's and steering angle etc and makes a judgement as to whether your getting out of shape or not. Again I find it too intrusive however I tend to leave it on for day to day driving just incase I have a lapse of concentration or overcook it somewhere. On the track I switch everything off. That's when the nanny systems really become a PITA and just hold you back.
 
id say that was very close.. considering i dont have DTC on my car... :D

for what its worth, i think the DSC is stunningly effective, saved my bacon a few times. just gotta know when you're feeling confident enough not to need it :)
 
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