well after doing all my driving in the current cold weather in the 500 (no traction or ESP) and pottling around carefully, sliding on the ice, not using the brakes, being ultra careful with the steering and throttle......

I've unpacked the punto due to the 500 going back.... and wow, ESP is still a revelation, even after living with it on the punto for 100k, I'm still suprised of the benefits after spending 5000 miles in the 500....

the road to our house is packed snow and ice, and after not noticing the same 'worry' on grip I decided to push it a little (slowish speeds, completeley deserted road with run off room) and I just couldn't unsettle it! summer tyres an all! its very quick to control understeer and oversteer, both on and off power...

I'm never ceased to be amazed about the benefits available should an inexperianced driver overcook it... (thye bend by our hous has seen approx 4-5 cars a day go through the hedge since it iced up, this is the hole they all go through....

we've been making them coffee as they wait for recovery...

its a slow 2nd gear corner, and funnily enough none of the crashed cars had ESP, any with ESP would simply drive around the corner in 2nd with no issues...

yes skill can do the same (I never crashed the 500 through that hole, and I drove the corner every day) but for those with less skill ESP could be a life saver...

Excellent stuff, like you say its best to have it in this weather or at least the skills but both and common sense is the best method of Roacraft.

I have only really got a chance to play with the ESP the last week or so, as I only purchased my Octavia after all the bad weather had gone this year but its certainly back. On my previous Bora, the ESP used to flash up every time it was activated, for instance on a dodgy bend with ice it would give a flash for a few seconds but on the octavia it lights for a few secs on ignition and thats it, is it meant to flash if in use or is it active when set? I am driving an Octavia MK1 4x4. for instance, there had been a spillage on a roundabout and I felt the car go into a skid but nothing lit up? Is there something wrong? I've read the manual and several posts here.. Thanks

On the MK1 Octavia there is 'ASR' - traction control & 'ESP' - Stability control + traction control.

You sure you have ESP?

Anyhow, unless you press the dash button, the safety system is activated as default when the engine is started. So yes, if the car is stopping wheel spin or correcting a slide, the light should come on the main dash display when the system is doing its thing.

I hope that helps. Cheers.

On the MK1 Octavia there is 'ASR' - traction control & 'ESP' - Stability control + traction control.

You sure you have ESP?

Anyhow, unless you press the dash button, the safety system is activated as default when the engine is started. So yes, if the car is stopping wheel spin or correcting a slide, the light should come on the main dash display when the system is doing its thing.

I hope that helps. Cheers.

all mark I octy 4x4's have ESP , it was standard on the 4WD....

and blackielawless, yes it would light up when operating, but remember with the haldex 4WD, as soon as the fronts loose grip the drive goes to the rear, the 4WD might be doing its stuff to control things without the ESP, would be handling more before the ESP kicks in than on my punto