traction control

R

Robah1

New member
hi guys n ladies, just joined the forum and a proud owner of my z4.....should i turn traction control off? whats the difference....would like to hear your experience :)
 
As far as i'm aware, there are 2 stages.

Press it once and it will give you a bit more slip but will still be on to an extent.

Hold it down and all aids will be off.

Be aware though, it's rather dangerous trying it out on a wet road :lol:
 
This time of year... suggest u wait at least until spring...
 
Don't be fooled by Jeremy Clarkson & Co. If you're not on a track, leave it on.
 
Try it on a track or large area of Tarmac in a controlled situation.

You'll feel no difference in the settings, unless you are skilled and know what you're trying to achieve otherwise the first time you'll feel the difference is as you head towards a ditch or sat there looking back around the island you just entered...
 
cj10jeeper said:
Try it on a track or large area of Tarmac in a controlled situation.

You'll feel no difference in the settings, unless you are skilled and know what you're trying to achieve otherwise the first time you'll feel the difference is as you head towards a ditch or sat there looking back around the island you just entered...
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That's exactly what I did when I first got mine, as I assumed it wouldn't be much different than my traction-control-less e34 M5s.

Unfortunately the combination of throttle settings, shorter wheelbase, stiffer suspension, driver position all conspired against me and I ended up sat facing 180º to the direction of traffic on one of my favourite 'tail out' roundabouts :oops:

Now it's only off on dry days (road or track), or when I know I've got plenty of space to spin off (e.g. winter airfield days).
 
The Z4 was first car with traction control that I have had. At first I hated it felt it kicked in to soon I turned it off and it was back on not long after the next roundabout. It's stayed on since personally I'd leave it unless you are somewhere safe to try it without it.
 
I'm new to this forum and a recent owner of a 2009 E86.

The difference between the stages of the electronic driver aids is that the the car is fitted with both traction control and stability control.
To disengage the traction control press and release the button and release it, to disengage the stability control press and hold the button until a yellow light illuminates on the dashboard. I do not believe its possible to disengage the stability but leave the traction on.

The difference between the traction and stability controls is that the traction control just controls how much wheel spin is allowed by the back wheels during acceleration and it cuts the power when the traction is broken.

The stability control monitors a lot more than just the traction of the rear wheels but also the steering angle of the font wheels and the direction of travel of the car using numerous sensors. The stability control monitors these and if the car is not travelling in the direction of the steering, it activates the braking to individual wheels in order to cause the car to return to the intended direction of travel together with limiting the power sent to the rear wheels. This system in essence limits both under and oversteer.

In my experience it best to leave these systems on, as most drivers will be able to drive more quickly and safely with them activated. They certainly work as I have experienced it first hand (in a 330d) and I will definitely be leaving mine on.
 
Welcome to the forum, buddha. Might be good to start a proper intro thread with some pics of your E86 (must be in decent condition if it's a 2009!). :)

There are numerous threads on this, but this is what the Chassis Dynamics manual says on DSC:

The Dynamic Stability Control system (DSC MK 60) currently in the E46 is carried over to the E85. In addition to the ABS, ASC and CBC functions, the DSC system incorporates a further function in the E85, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC). The DTC function can be activated with the DSC button and provides two subfunctions:

• Sports tuning of the Automatic Stability Control (ASC) + Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
• Improved traction, particularly on ground surfaces with a low coefficient of friction

All other functions have essentially remained the same. A "DTC" indicator light illuminates in the instrument cluster when the DTC function is activated. The DSC warning light in the instrument cluster flashes when intervention is necessary and takes priority over all other functions (as in current E46 vehicles).

In certain situations (i.e. accelerating on an uphill gradient on a snow covered road), the previous ASC function provided brake intervention at the spinning wheel and extremely reduced the engine output. Although the vehicle remained extremely stable, minimal propulsion was available.

DTC achieves maximum possible traction essentially by expanded ASC and DSC control thresholds. Compared to the ASC/DSC function, DTC mode allows a little more "drift" at low speeds and transverse acceleration (increased rear wheel spin is permissible up to a speed of approx. 45 mph). This allows the engine power output to remain without an extreme reduction of power, improving propulsion.

On approaching higher speeds and transverse acceleration (measured by the yaw rate sensor), the DTC function acts more and more like the "normal" ASC and DSC function and the slip thresholds are reduced back to a conservative mode for stability reasons.
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i do reguarly..... on the track i Do not ever drive it on as it hinders my progress massively.... The car feels like its going to kill me on the road with it off and pressing on.
 
Unless on a track I would leave it on... you try pulling out a side road quickly in traffic and you will regret turning it off, as will the cars you take out! Also roundabouts at this time of year could render you facing the oncoming traffic!
Unless your driving skills match those of the stig, leave it alone :)
 
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