The car changes up to 2nd more or less the second you set off and if you put it into manual mode would probably allow you to set off in 2nd. The way the dsg creeps very gently will help setting off in snow as well.

ESP to me is a bit like car insurance, we don’t like paying for it but at the end of the day if something goes wrong we are glad we had it.

I’ve spec my VRS with cruise control which is the sort of thing you wouldn't expect on a VRS, but at approx. £140 by the time the VAT’s off I think it’s well worth it. With all the average speed cameras popping up all over the place if it saves me one speeding ticket then it’s more than paid for itself. By the time I have paid the fine and the insurance increase (also run to big sports bikes) I’ll be quid’s in.

Something goes for ESP if it saves you form one incident by the time you take into account your excess and future insurance loadings it will have paid for itself.

Just don’t expect to drive like an idiot and ESP will get you through everything. It’s there for those emergency situations which it may help you prevent an accident.

Edited 24 April, 201115 yr by harryweld

.....and if you put it into manual mode would probably allow you to set off in 2nd.....

When you are next out, could you check it in "S" mode and see if you can make it start in 2nd please?

With my Fabia 1.2TSi & DRG7 taking ages to make I have no way of knowing and am interested to see if it's different to the Citreon C3 tiptroning box.

regards

retiredbri

I went around a roundabaout un beknown to me there was a deisel spillage i proceded as normal had massive understeer esp kicked in straightened me up was fine.

Went the same way later on an old astra had hit a lampost enough said.

That was the only time other than in the snow ive had it kick in and was very grateful that i had it

Had traction control on the first Fabia I had and have missed having it on my subsequent tow Skodas... Hoping to have it back on my new one... It was brilliant in the snow!

Always opt for it if I'm buying new, with our last Corsa it kept me on the A1 rather than off it, while swerving to avoid a lane changer who forgot what mirrors are for

TP

the only people who will critise ESP or ASR as an option are people who do not have it on the car.

Life saving bit of technology,

I'm just concerned that you can't switch ESP off on the fabia and when we get the snow I've heard of people getting stuck due to it... which I can't afford as sadly I have to use my car in the winter to get to my work.

the only people who will critise ESP or ASR as an option are people who do not have it on the car.

Life saving bit of technology,

true.

I'm just concerned that you can't switch ESP off on the fabia and when we get the snow I've heard of people getting stuck due to it... which I can't afford as sadly I have to use my car in the winter to get to my work.

ESP will help better than any human ever can in the snow. end of. ESP has NEVER hindered progress inthe snow. anyone saying it does is LYING, you may want to turn the traction off.... if anyone doesn't understand this, they don't understand what ESP is. have you people watched the vid I posted? IN THE SNOW!? I'll post it again for your education.

if you want to spin the wheels you can by turning the ASR (anti slip regulation) off with the button on the dash. personally, I have found the ASR a bonus in the snow as well. (and bear in mind I grew up with and learned in rear wheel drive capris ect) ..

anyone who wouldn't spec ESP is an idiot. And when I pick you up in my ambulance, I will tell you so.

I'm just concerned that you can't switch ESP off on the fabia and when we get the snow I've heard of people getting stuck due to it... which I can't afford as sadly I have to use my car in the winter to get to my work.

Helps with that too; only thing that allowed us to progress with the silly factory fit sports tyres and wheels on the Elegance trim, until we switched to 195/55 winter tyres on 15" steel rims

If your going for an Elegance spec and you want to keep moving in the winter then a second set of tyres for winter are a must.

Regards,

TP

true.

ESP will help better than any human ever can in the snow. end of. ESP has NEVER hindered progress inthe snow. anyone saying it does is LYING, you may want to turn the traction off.... if anyone doesn't understand this, they don't understand what ESP is. have you people watched the vid I posted? IN THE SNOW!? I'll post it again for your education.

if you want to spin the wheels you can by turning the ASR (anti slip regulation) off with the button on the dash. personally, I have found the ASR a bonus in the snow as well. (and bear in mind I grew up with and learned in rear wheel drive capris ect) ..

anyone who wouldn't spec ESP is an idiot. And when I pick you up in my ambulance, I will tell you so.

Well then...I hope that you tell that to all the people who in the past couple of winters who crashed in their big fancy Land Rovers, Audis, etc with ESP etc!!! I've seen quite a few snaking down the roads, and off the roads!!! I've been able to drive the same road, overtake (me doing 50mph) slow (35MPH) new Land Rovers (snaking as the ESP etc has a fit)...totally in control! Yes I did watch the video..test conditions...70mph on sheet ice...not the same as what we get here, and snow and ice and slush come in lots or different forms...and therefore affect the car in lots of different ways!!

Also that ABS test is not true in all conditions...I have had non ABS cars out brake me in a straight line approching a juction in soft snow as their wheels lock causing the snow to wedge under the front of the tyre adding more friction...in the lastest ABS this feature has been added called "descent control" it allows the ABS to lock the wheels to allow this wedge to form!! The electrics will eventually be able to give all the advantages on non electrial systems!!

Evo magazine did a test http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/248524/winter_tyres_tested.html

New Jaguar XFR around Bedford Autodrone West circuit with 2" os snow, temp +3C on standard tyres 2:35...on winter tyres 2:04....Mitsubitsi EVO X FQ-330 on standard tyres 2:29!!!

Braking 60mph-0mph Jag on standard tyres 234.4m!!!! on winter tyres 100.8!!! less than half!!

Even advanced driving instructors like Colin Hoad of CAT Driver Training state "Do not rely on the assistance of your vehicles stability control, traction control,or ABS, ice and snow can render them ineffective!!! I have for the last two winters been running narrower winter tyres...I still can't get over the difference!!! the "feel" the grip!! If I had the choice between spending the money on ESP or a set of winter tyres..winter tyres win every time!!!

The only bit of the traction control that I think is vital is the EDL..this is used in racing, and as I've stated in earlier posts..is BRILL!!

the only people who will critise ESP or ASR as an option are people who do not have it on the car.

Life saving bit of technology,

I have ABS,EDL & ASR...ASR in winter below 20mph is a pain...even the Skoda handbook states that it should be turned off in certain conditions

Edited 25 April, 201115 yr by fabdavrav

I have ABS,EDL & ASR...ASR in winter below 20mph is a pain...even the Skoda handbook states that it sholud be turned off is certain conditions

See I dunno what to do about adding it on... some people say its worth getting, others say no... =/! I just don't want my car getting stuck because I can't switch certain systems off etc! There's no other way for me to get to work so I need my car.

See I dunno what to do about adding it on... some people say its worth getting, others say no... =/! I just don't want my car getting stuck because I can't switch certain systems off etc! There's no other way for me to get to work so I need my car.

But you can turn ASR off so I'm not sure what the problem is?

See I dunno what to do about adding it on... some people say its worth getting, others say no... =/! I just don't want my car getting stuck because I can't switch certain systems off etc! There's no other way for me to get to work so I need my car.

Try this idea : if the car get's stuck due to the ASR , imagine that running in that condition then.

I live in the southern part off Sweden , but we still get really cold winters down here.

I drove my Fabia RS without any problems with studded kumho-tires and I still recommend studded tires if there is icy roads.

For snowy roads , winter-tires without studs are actually REALLY good! The tires aren't really that expensive , it's enough with 15" rims even for that!

Cost 7000 sek extra (659 £ according to X-change) , but I wanted really good ones. 660£ is alot off money... but if you put out 16-18k (maybe more) on the car , I don't see the point on cheaping out on tires.

Like people who say that Sport Contact 2 is bad tires cause they don't last as long as Nankang-tires...

That's just my opinion tho , I don't know how the winters is over at you.

Wouldn't buy a new car without it, it undoubtedly saves lives. With VAG cars whilst it cant be turned off as such you can turn off the TCS (traction control). This allows you to make better progress in bad conditions where TCS will hinder a clean pullaway.

See I dunno what to do about adding it on... some people say its worth getting, others say no... =/! I just don't want my car getting stuck because I can't switch certain systems off etc! There's no other way for me to get to work so I need my car.

Does the car come with EDL??? make sure that it does, then spend the money on a full extra set of narrower winter tyres on either alloy or steel rims and swap them over with the standard tryes/rims from November to March..this will be the best and safest use of the money! What is the rim/trye size that you are getting as standard on your car??

Hello adamc260,

Just done some checking on the Skoda web site..double check this with the dealer, but it looks like your car won't have EDL unless you get the ESP & ASR package! Catch 22 I'm afraid!!! EDL is worth it, ASR has an OFF button (usefull for moving off on snow etc) ESP...can't turn off and don't rely on it!!! Looks like your car comes with 205/40 tyres on a 17" rim...keep these for summer...then get a set of winter tyres and rims based on the S or SE spec sizes eg 195/55 tyre on a 15" rim!!!

Also if I was to spec the car for myself and not "what the market wants for resale" I would first spec the spare wheel package, the heated seats package, third headrest package, rear elec windows package, both front storage boxes package....then add anything else! Unfortunatly to get the EDL which you can't turn off, but is brill!!! you have to add the ESP & ASR package to the list. :(

Hope this is of some help

Edited 25 April, 201115 yr by fabdavrav

Ordered ESP/ASR Thank you all

Ordered ESP/ASR Thank you all

Good choice.

dnt bother

Definate spec the ESP x ASR as it helps with emergency manoeuvres but in snow definate switch off

dnt bother

??????

All cars should come with ESP as standard nowadays, expect it will become a legal requirement at some stage

All cars should come with ESP as standard nowadays, expect it will become a legal requirement at some stage

It will be a legal requirement within the next year for all new cars to come with it as standard fit!!!

All cars should come with ESP as standard nowadays

I agree. Wouldn't buy a modern car without it.