Hi All,

I'm looking for a Mk1 Octy 130TDi, and I really wanted a car with ESP.

I've done a lot of searching, and I can't seem if any came with ESP as standard, or if it was ever an option.

Does anyone know?

Thanks,

Andy.

My L&K has it...

It was an option everywhere outside UK, I imported a 1.9TDI110 with ESP from Ireland for that reason.

But I recall that 4x4 also had it, and I think the ASZ (130bhp) engine had it (possibly only in some trims)

A lot more later Mk1 cars (Octavia Tour) might have ESP fitted.

Yeah all 4x4 have ESP

I can't say for sure about the 130, but the standard traction control works well with the 110.

Thanks for the quick responses.

Have gotten paranoid recently about the whole ESP thing, as my missus had a very near miss.

I'm certain that we would all have been deceased were it not for the ESP on our Mk2 Superb.

Better with it switched off

<p>

Better with it switched off

<p>

why does this forum always go wrong??? Was trying to say, esp is a useful safety feature, and its quicker than you are, and you cant turn it off anyway. Only the traction function can be turned off.

Better with asr off then! Cause it is pony!

Better with asr off then! Cause it is pony!

now that i won't disagree with!

The Edition 100 had ESP as standard. It was optional on most other models. If I'd known I would have specced it on my vRS, never did see a proper options list. They could have had a bit extra out of me

fabdavrav has written a little guide to what the different driver aid acronyms means:

WTF? is ABS, EDL, ASR, ESP, HHC....etc?

On the 4x4 platform the system is excellent, and compliments drivetrain upgrades such as Blue/HPA Haldex controllers and transaxle LSDs'

All the systems can be coded off via VAGCOM/VCDS, but I wouldn't recommend doing that.

The Edition 100 had ESP as standard. It was optional on most other models. If I'd known I would have specced it on my vRS, never did see a proper options list. They could have had a bit extra out of me

Yup, I couldn't do without. Has got me out of one near certain crash with totally safety. If I want a bit of fun it can always be turned off.

yes its def a worthwhile addition.

it cant be turned off in the car by the button, only the asr function car. Esp like abs works all the time, unless you remove components or uncode it.

Got it on my vRS, and it was really good in the snow (also with all-season tyres fitted).

You sure it can't be turned off. I am sure when I was experimenting in the snow last year that there was a lot of difference when 'something' was switched off.

It felt like the rear was breaking away with the something off, and with it on the rear brakes were coming on to bring it in line.

Why have an ESP button if it only turns ASR off? Would be cheaper for SKODA to just make ASR buttons?

You might a car with full ESP then

The cars with ASR normally have this written on the button

My 4x4 has an ESP button, my vRS had an ASR button

the button is just a button, with a different label, no actual cost difference.

a car with esp has yaw controllers, when it detects slip it intervenes, selecting esp off on your button disables certain elements of the system, but under lets say 'crash conditions' irrespective of what you have pushed ie esp off, you will still have intervention from the esp system. Its a safety feature, and an advanced one at that, and is better than 99.9% of human skill, so vw have designed the system to kick in when really needed.

With economies of scale I had imagined that an ESP button would be more costly if only 10% (or whatever the numbers are) of MK1 Octavia's required it.

How does it know that a slide on ice/snow with me in an empty snow covered car park is ok, but a slide which is going to cause a crash then it should interviene?

A typical crash condition would be a sudden deceleration, which is what I believe air bag systems use. You don't get that with a slide. And if you slide into an immovable object then it is too late to apply brakes etc. Ah, but you might get a sudden change of direction, snapping or 'tank slapper'. As I read it, the yaw controllers etc look at many inputs including steering angle, thus comparing the car's actual path with that requested by the driver. If they do not match then brakes are applied to the relevant wheels to correct the angle the car is travelling in. - this is the feeling I got.

I can't think how the sensors could provide information to the system for it to know any different. I should stop thinking.

Edited 22 March, 201313 yr by Higgy 69

With economies of scale I had imagined that an ESP button would be more costly if only 10% (or whatever the numbers are) of MK1 Octavia's required it.

How does it know that a slide on ice/snow with me in an empty snow covered car park is ok, but a slide which is going to cause a crash then it should interviene?

A typical crash condition would be a sudden deceleration, which is what I believe air bag systems use. You don't get that with a slide. And if you slide into an immovable object then it is too late to apply brakes etc. Ah, but you might get a sudden change of direction, snapping or 'tank slapper'. As I read it, the yaw controllers etc look at many inputs including steering angle, thus comparing the car's actual path with that requested by the driver. If they do not match then brakes are applied to the relevant wheels to correct the angle the car is travelling in. - this is the feeling I got.

I can't think how the sensors could provide information to the system for it to know any different. I should stop thinking.

to be honest, i cant give you a techinical answer, as i don't have esp on my current car, feel free to search forums and read up on esp and its function on the mk4 platform, another member posted a link already.

the general concencus is esp cannot entirely be turned off without pulling a fuse or disabling the controller, but as thats linked heavily into the abs you then wont have abs. The system does look at the steering angle when on, afaik, when turned off, it uses the abs (under breaking) to detect crash type scenarios (and perhaps the yaw too..who knows!). Either way, its still working on your car when you need it most.

How does it know that a slide on ice/snow with me in an empty snow covered car park is ok, but a slide which is going to cause a crash then it should interviene?

It doesn't

When you hit the ASR/ESP button and the skid light goes on the dash, the ASR system is disabled. It remains off till you next press the button or turn ignition off/on again.

The system cannot reactive itself

This is why 4x4 owners who've fitted a TT/R32/S3/LCR steering rack can get an issue whereby the steering angle sensor in the steering column doesn't match with the angle sensor in the hubs, causing the ASR system to activate and car to jump about when the steering wheel has been turned beyond a certain angle.

Deactiving the ASR via the dash button solves the problem, at the cost of ASR working.

Also equates to a MOT failure under the new testing rules, hence why some folks have worked out how to turn off ASR via VAGCOM.

I'd rather have ASR than a TT steering rack

ps

You can experience this yourself if you unplug your steering angle sensor on the steering column, the ASR system will disable itself, which will feel exactly the same as turn it off via the button on the dash

HTH