Having just bought an Octavia 4x4 1.9 it is interesting to not that you cannot switch the ESP off, only the traction control. How does the 4x4 system work if traction control is off but ESP is on. Bearing in mind that the 4x4 system in the Octavia is similar to the Freelander and you can switch the DSC off in that so that when you are a little stuck and you need the rev it the brakes do not come on to slow everything down. It would be much more fun if you could switch ESP off.

Channel

Doesn't it just switch off the ASR and allow the ABS to control the action of the spinning wheels.

That's strange, I can turn ESP off with mine, via the big illuminated ESP button!

That's strange, I can turn ESP off with mine, via the big illuminated ESP button!

Same here... makes for fun in the snow!

Unfortunately this Skoda 4x4 comes with a supplement to the owners manual ( Technical Changes ) dated 11/2009, and states that the ESP system cannot be switched off, the TCS system can be switched off by pressing the button. Should the warning light come on immediately after starting the the ESP system can be switched off for technical reasons. In this case the ESP system can be switched on again by switching the ignition on and off. If the warning light goes out all is well again. This is taken directly from the supplement. So back to the question how does ESP work if the Traction control is switched off

Unfortunately this Skoda 4x4 comes with a supplement to the owners manual ( Technical Changes ) dated 11/2009, and states that the ESP system cannot be switched off, the TCS system can be switched off by pressing the button. Should the warning light come on immediately after starting the the ESP system can be switched off for technical reasons. In this case the ESP system can be switched on again by switching the ignition on and off. If the warning light goes out all is well again. This is taken directly from the supplement. So back to the question how does ESP work if the Traction control is switched off

I would assume then that the esp cannot be switched off because of the revised EU rules that mean all cars have to have ESP as standard by 2011 (I think - may be wrong on the date). WRT how it operates I assume that the two systems are independant, even though they will both work by braking wheels based on various parameters.

The ASR Anti Slip Regulation is the only one that might be worth turning off. On the Yeti this can be turned of and the same should be true with the latest Octavia 4x4 also. I can not see any benefit in turning of any of the other functions other than perhaps the DSR which I feel that I can do with ou permanently. ASR can be a pain but all the the other functions are far more beneficial. SO ASR and DSR as far as I am concerned could go. I would not like to be without the others in the sweet of electronic chassis aids. Having said that I am not too sure just how obtrusive the latest programming for ASR is, that is how intrusive it is compared to older cars, so it may be possibe to live with it.

I would assume then that the esp cannot be switched off because of the revised EU rules that mean all cars have to have ESP as standard by 2011 (I think - may be wrong on the date). WRT how it operates I assume that the two systems are independant, even though they will both work by braking wheels based on various parameters.

Channel,

I assume then that you are talking about a Octy2-facelift car? Following the info above, I guess they must have modified this operation then. On my car, ESP can be turned off.

What button do you have then? Is it marked TCS, or something else? I ask because when I bought my car, there was no system called TCS on VW-cars, they have ASR and EDL, which would be called TCS on other brands (e.g. Mazda). I know that turning off ESP on my car also turns off ASR and EDL, but the 4WD Haldex controller would still function. My car is Haldex gen2, but I would expect the system to work the same for gen4.

Therefore, I would assume that turning "TCS" (or whatever) off would not affect 4WD operation, but I would expect it to disable the EDL (which only operates on the front axle, by the way).

Channel,

I assume then that you are talking about a Octy2-facelift car? Following the info above, I guess they must have modified this operation then. On my car, ESP can be turned off.

What button do you have then? Is it marked TCS, or something else? I ask because when I bought my car, there was no system called TCS on VW-cars, they have ASR and EDL, which would be called TCS on other brands (e.g. Mazda). I know that turning off ESP on my car also turns off ASR and EDL, but the 4WD Haldex controller would still function. My car is Haldex gen2, but I would expect the system to work the same for gen4.

Therefore, I would assume that turning "TCS" (or whatever) off would not affect 4WD operation, but I would expect it to disable the EDL (which only operates on the front axle, by the way).

Yes it is the face lifted Octy2 with generation 4 Haldex clutch which works differently from previous editions. That may be why the they have changed the TCS and ESP buttons. My TCS button is on the right with a blank on the left. The other interesting thing is that the reason for switching off the ESP in the manual is exactly the same that is given in the Supplement for switching off the TCS.

Yes it is the face lifted Octy2 with generation 4 Haldex clutch which works differently from previous editions. That may be why the they have changed the TCS and ESP buttons. My TCS button is on the right with a blank on the left. The other interesting thing is that the reason for switching off the ESP in the manual is exactly the same that is given in the Supplement for switching off the TCS.

Interesting... As I said earlier, TCS isn't a term that VW cars have used in the past (to my knowledge), but I guess it works nicely, now that they can't have an ESP button and need an umbrella term for ASR/EDL, although it's been used on this forum for a long time by those who didn't know any better :p