ESP on or off?
Discussion
When you drive with the ESP turned on.
If you see the light flashing then it is cutting in to control wheels spin or neutralise a dynamic stability loss.
If you are not seeing the light then its not been active and as such turning it off has done nothing and it is your imagination.
The only times I ever turn it off on my car are when I am really pressing on, and its stoping me getting the power on, how I want to, out of corners. Or if I just fancy a powerslide round a damp roundabout. Other wise I have it on all the time, if you have to swerve to avoid someone or somthing that when you really need it, so driving around with it switch off all the time, particually if your weren't even being slowed by it, isnt a very good idea.
If you see the light flashing then it is cutting in to control wheels spin or neutralise a dynamic stability loss.
If you are not seeing the light then its not been active and as such turning it off has done nothing and it is your imagination.
The only times I ever turn it off on my car are when I am really pressing on, and its stoping me getting the power on, how I want to, out of corners. Or if I just fancy a powerslide round a damp roundabout. Other wise I have it on all the time, if you have to swerve to avoid someone or somthing that when you really need it, so driving around with it switch off all the time, particually if your weren't even being slowed by it, isnt a very good idea.
t hits the fan I think it's safe to say you're better off with it on.Ok,
not quite the answers I was expecting, but hey.
I can swear there is a different feel to the car with it off, it just feels slightly more alive, and less leaden, maybe its my sense of feeling or immagination I don't know, but its the same sensation I get going from a 2 wheel drive from a quattro, I can really feel the quattro's twitching and feeling clunky when cornering, and accelerating, and it's been a few of them, so not an isolated incident.
guess i'll just put it down to being me.
thanks anyways.
kevin
not quite the answers I was expecting, but hey.
I can swear there is a different feel to the car with it off, it just feels slightly more alive, and less leaden, maybe its my sense of feeling or immagination I don't know, but its the same sensation I get going from a 2 wheel drive from a quattro, I can really feel the quattro's twitching and feeling clunky when cornering, and accelerating, and it's been a few of them, so not an isolated incident.
guess i'll just put it down to being me.
thanks anyways.
kevin
As VAG1 says, the electronic nannies certainly kick in without the ESP light flashing. I've noticed retardation of power under hard acceleration with activated ESP - I actually started a PH thread regarding "bogging down of acceleration" a little while ago. This hasn't occured when ESP is deactivated.
I've recently become a little more confident in the RS4, discovering the delights of switching the ESP off.
However, I more recently (last week, in fact!) discovered the RS4 has a two-stage system.
Press the ESP switch and the warning light continually flashes at me. I discovered this switches off the Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), although the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) is still on.
The second stage involves holding the ESP switch for 3 seconds, which switches off the ASR and ESP. However I'm told it will still cut in if things get totally out of control - I'm yet to experience this with normal road driving though!
But I agree with the OP. My RS4 definately feels "freer", more willing I suppose, with the ESP switched off, whether it be just my "stage 1" or "stage 2".
With my recent new experiences, I've felt how much the electronic systems kick in.
I have questioned myself - Would driving with ESP permanently deactivated wear parts quicker? Tyres for sure, but what about mechanicals? Slightly O/T, but could anyone answer these queries, too, please?
Darren
I've recently become a little more confident in the RS4, discovering the delights of switching the ESP off.
However, I more recently (last week, in fact!) discovered the RS4 has a two-stage system.
Press the ESP switch and the warning light continually flashes at me. I discovered this switches off the Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), although the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) is still on.
The second stage involves holding the ESP switch for 3 seconds, which switches off the ASR and ESP. However I'm told it will still cut in if things get totally out of control - I'm yet to experience this with normal road driving though!
But I agree with the OP. My RS4 definately feels "freer", more willing I suppose, with the ESP switched off, whether it be just my "stage 1" or "stage 2".
With my recent new experiences, I've felt how much the electronic systems kick in.
I have questioned myself - Would driving with ESP permanently deactivated wear parts quicker? Tyres for sure, but what about mechanicals? Slightly O/T, but could anyone answer these queries, too, please?
Darren
I forget to mention the two stage thing.
ASR (anti slip/skid reduction) traction control basically this only stops wheels spin, so Front wheel drive cars, you could do a burnout, or light up the inside wheel out of a corner, with this switched off. But get out of shape at speed and the ESP will still kick in and save you.
As above press and hold the button to get it off completely, weather you have this two stage function depends on what level of ABS/ESP you have. Later cars + higher performance models have higher level of ABS/ESP.
Yes there is definatly some dampening of power, especially after fast gear changes, on the RS4 without an ESP light flashing. But I dont think thats somthing you will run into on a 1.4fsi golf or TDI A3 etc.
We have been given no info that suggests the throttle map is different when its switched off, doesnt sound like sothing the over safe bods at Audi/VW would do.
Regarding wear, I guess if your wheels spinning drive line is going to work harder, cornering faster is going to be more wear on wheel bearings and obviously tyres. But I wouldnt worry about it, would be marginal.
ASR (anti slip/skid reduction) traction control basically this only stops wheels spin, so Front wheel drive cars, you could do a burnout, or light up the inside wheel out of a corner, with this switched off. But get out of shape at speed and the ESP will still kick in and save you.
As above press and hold the button to get it off completely, weather you have this two stage function depends on what level of ABS/ESP you have. Later cars + higher performance models have higher level of ABS/ESP.
Yes there is definatly some dampening of power, especially after fast gear changes, on the RS4 without an ESP light flashing. But I dont think thats somthing you will run into on a 1.4fsi golf or TDI A3 etc.
We have been given no info that suggests the throttle map is different when its switched off, doesnt sound like sothing the over safe bods at Audi/VW would do.
Regarding wear, I guess if your wheels spinning drive line is going to work harder, cornering faster is going to be more wear on wheel bearings and obviously tyres. But I wouldnt worry about it, would be marginal.
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