Scary ESP Moment
12-12-2010, 03:35 PM
#21
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I have noticed that the ESP acts a bit odd, kicking in and out on snow covered roads. If you step on it expecting it to claw its way through the snow, the ESP just cuts the power providing with a somewhat scary, unexected lag...followed by a lunge forward.
I have very fond memories of my first AWD car, a '91 Mitsubishi Galant VR4. I had Blizzak snow tires on it and it was an absolute blast to drive in the snow.
Our subdivision has snow covered roads right now with all the blowing and drifting here in Chicago. I turned the ESP off and took a few trips around the block. It brought back all those fun memories of my VR4. The 4 snow tires gripped and clawed for traction and when the back end would slide out a little in a turn, it would straighten right out with a little extra gas. I wasn't drifting through my neighborhood, but I am glad I got to see what the car could do unrestricted.
I think that sometimes the electrical nannies are so overly cautious that they can impact a person's ability to properly drive a car.
I have very fond memories of my first AWD car, a '91 Mitsubishi Galant VR4. I had Blizzak snow tires on it and it was an absolute blast to drive in the snow.
Our subdivision has snow covered roads right now with all the blowing and drifting here in Chicago. I turned the ESP off and took a few trips around the block. It brought back all those fun memories of my VR4. The 4 snow tires gripped and clawed for traction and when the back end would slide out a little in a turn, it would straighten right out with a little extra gas. I wasn't drifting through my neighborhood, but I am glad I got to see what the car could do unrestricted.
I think that sometimes the electrical nannies are so overly cautious that they can impact a person's ability to properly drive a car.
Traction control systems are designed to prevent wheelspin. Driving in slick conditions like snow or ice pretty much require wheelspin. Any car I've ever been in with a TC system needed it turned off in the snow, or at least subdued (Like BMW's DTC mode).
I think some people are missing the point here. On dry pavement, with good tires, there's no way the OP could have gotten enough wheelspin to trigger the traction control like that. The S4 is moderately powerful, but not THAT powerful.
The Gallardo couldn't spin its tires in the dry, no matter what you did with the throttle.
While the post about weight transfer is correct, if you're just merging onto the freeway you aren't pushing the limits of the car enough for that to really matter, especially not on a car with a stiff suspension.
12-12-2010, 04:55 PM
#22
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I experienced it with my less powerful 3.2, so it's definitely possible to break traction. There might have been some gravel on the road, but none that I noticed. Tires were new too. The common denominator here seems to be that we both were flooring it while turning into traffic.
12-12-2010, 05:57 PM
#23
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I experienced it with my less powerful 3.2, so it's definitely possible to break traction. There might have been some gravel on the road, but none that I noticed. Tires were new too. The common denominator here seems to be that we both were flooring it while turning into traffic.
Hmm, were you turning sharply while accelerating? It's possible that the increased rotation of the outside tire at low speed, coupled with the heavy throttle, convinced the TC that you were losing traction.
I'm curious, to anyone who's had this happen, have you been able to replicate the same conditions with ESP Off? Do you notice any chirping or wheelspin?
12-12-2010, 06:50 PM
#24
It might interfere with controlling the wheels under acceleration (e.g., when playing around in snowy parking lot) but hitting a patch of uneven wet ice at cruising speed where it prevents you from getting sideways is where you appreciate ESP.
12-12-2010, 08:57 PM
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Hmm, were you turning sharply while accelerating? It's possible that the increased rotation of the outside tire at low speed, coupled with the heavy throttle, convinced the TC that you were losing traction.
I'm curious, to anyone who's had this happen, have you been able to replicate the same conditions with ESP Off? Do you notice any chirping or wheelspin?
I'm curious, to anyone who's had this happen, have you been able to replicate the same conditions with ESP Off? Do you notice any chirping or wheelspin?
12-13-2010, 06:49 AM
#26
I think some people are missing the point here. On dry pavement, with good tires, there's no way the OP could have gotten enough wheelspin to trigger the traction control like that. The S4 is moderately powerful, but not THAT powerful.
The Gallardo couldn't spin its tires in the dry, no matter what you did with the throttle.
While the post about weight transfer is correct, if you're just merging onto the freeway you aren't pushing the limits of the car enough for that to really matter, especially not on a car with a stiff suspension.
The Gallardo couldn't spin its tires in the dry, no matter what you did with the throttle.
While the post about weight transfer is correct, if you're just merging onto the freeway you aren't pushing the limits of the car enough for that to really matter, especially not on a car with a stiff suspension.
12-13-2010, 08:09 AM
#27
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I beg to differ. When starting from a stop and turning sharply at a corner, I could spin the tires on my WRX (no ESP/ASR). I didn't do it more than a couple of times because it seems like a huge strain on the drivetrain, but it is definitely possible. I could not light up the tires in a straight line, but at a corner it was relatively easy. I'm sure it had to do with weight shift off of the inside tires.
12-15-2010, 06:11 PM
#28
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This is pretty standard if you have ESP/ASR on and you get on it pretty quick especially if you are turning. This is why I always drive with the ESP off (just the one touch of the ESP button). Same thing happened to me a few times when I first got the car and it annoyed me.
12-16-2010, 04:37 AM
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The lag sounds kind of like an auto transmission issue to me. If you did see an ESP light, I disagree the system screwed you up. I took my S4 to the track and did not notice any ESP interference during the entire weekend, even during high G-force maneuvers. It may have clicked on once, but it was my fault for not being smooth in one section.
If your ESP is lighting up it's because you're doing something wrong. Check first to make sure you tires are not over inflated - that would reduce grip a lot. Second, you should be very smooth getting on the gas. If you're jamming the pedal you're being too abrupt with the weight transfer and upsetting the chassis - you're putting yourself in a low-grip situation.
If your ESP is lighting up it's because you're doing something wrong. Check first to make sure you tires are not over inflated - that would reduce grip a lot. Second, you should be very smooth getting on the gas. If you're jamming the pedal you're being too abrupt with the weight transfer and upsetting the chassis - you're putting yourself in a low-grip situation.
For all who have had this similiar incident quickly look down at your rpm gauge and see if the rpm jumps up while stepping on the gas pedal. If you see the rpm jump then you know it is the transmission but if the rpm does nothing while you have no power than it is the ESP. Pay attention to this as if it is the transmission I have read somewhere that a DSG software upgrade will solve this.
12-16-2010, 10:16 AM
#30
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Got to agree with you that it is the transmission if you have a DSG. I had this happen a few times and currently I am gettin the firmware/software upgraded to make sure I have the latest.
For all who have had this similiar incident quickly look down at your rpm gauge and see if the rpm jumps up while stepping on the gas pedal. If you see the rpm jump then you know it is the transmission but if the rpm does nothing while you have no power than it is the ESP. Pay attention to this as if it is the transmission I have read somewhere that a DSG software upgrade will solve this.
For all who have had this similiar incident quickly look down at your rpm gauge and see if the rpm jumps up while stepping on the gas pedal. If you see the rpm jump then you know it is the transmission but if the rpm does nothing while you have no power than it is the ESP. Pay attention to this as if it is the transmission I have read somewhere that a DSG software upgrade will solve this.
Last edited by Nicky_do_it; 12-16-2010 at 10:18 AM.