Guys (and possible, very very maybe, girls),

 

since a few days I have started driving around with the ESC/TC turned off, something I see people often doing when using the RS to do circuit laps or other forms of 'sportive' driving.

 

Is it just my imagination that the car feels quicker off the bat with it turned off? Of course we are talking 0-100 times here in the Netherlands (I used imperial numbers in the topic title for you wrong-side-of-the-road-drivers ) but I have the distinct feeling I'm getting there quicker, it seems like this feature is topping off the revs when turned on. 

 

Might that be the reason they don't use it when doing track days?

The reason to turn it off is that if the system detects slip it not only nips at the brakes to stop a wheel/tyre  spinning,

it can cut power from the engine.

 

george

You always drive using maximum acceleration from 0-100kph?  Are you getting wheel spin with ESC/TC turned off?

I get wheel-spin with it turn on! Dread to think what it's like with it off.

This is one of my only gripes with the vRS TDI DSG, is getting off the mark briskly is tricky!

 

But then I am used to quattro in my other beast!

Fit better tyres then,

control the wheel spin yourself, for the surface you are on,

and do not let the electrics on the car do it.

 

As the Owners Manual and Safety Warnings tell you,   Think before you switch off the TC.  (Paraphrase there.)

If in doubt, do not mess about!

It has the OEM original tyres, I figure they are one of the best options?

 

I'm talking dry conditions, wanting to pull away with a bit of haste... As I have no clutch, the DSG only seems to have 2 options, nice and gentle or serious clutch dumpage... Only once or twice have I hooked it up just right, and if you want to do it turning as well, well you are just snookered!

 

As I say, I think I have been spoilt by quattro, but it does seem particularly bad compared to the other FWD cars I've driven (which admittedly is very few, I'm a RWD/AWD kinda guy!).

 

I'm tempted to give ESP off a go and see what difference it makes. I'm more than comfortable with it off in plenty of far more powerful/RWD cars.

Practising is the way to go.

 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=YrEK7BDUHPU

Edited 4 December, 201411 yr by goneoffSKi

I don't normally drive full power when driving off (hardly ever actually) but when attempting to do so (my lease company has fitted me some awful winter tyres though - Kleber HP2) I noticed turning ESP/TC off seems to be giving me better performance. I only tried it because I saw people in several youtube videos do so when driving the RS hard, for instance during Nurburgring laps or while attempting to better their own 0-62 times.

 

Yes I get wheelspin with these (mediocre) tyres, even with ESP turned ON, but not more so when turned off. 

ESP/TC is there for driver's of normal ability to drive the car hard in as safely a manner as is electronically possible.  If you feel you are a more accomplished driver then turn these systems off and you'll find out how accomplished you really are, you'll also find the rev ranges where your engine/gearbox produces most torque as the drive wheels will tell you.

 

Now "go play"

 

Regards

T

Did I read somewhere that the vRS DSG as launch control?

Did I read somewhere that the vRS DSG as launch control?

Turn off TC, turn off start/stop, press foot brake, floor throtle, when revs hold steady launch control is set, release foot brake for take off !!!

I get wheel-spin with it turn on! Dread to think what it's like with it off.

This is one of my only gripes with the vRS TDI DSG, is getting off the mark briskly is tricky!

 

But then I am used to quattro in my other beast!

Oh how I wish I had the Haldex from your S1 as putting 300 bhp+ through the front wheels with the temps as low as they are is proving interesting, must resist pressing accelerator pedal too hard   

Very controllable when you get used to the extra power. Better starts every time with esc in sport

With VCP you can turn off all of the ESP features for track use

Guys,

a question off topic  

does the normal 1.4 TSI - DSG have this launch control feature?

Mohamad, no the 1.4 TSI dosen't have Launch Control

What about the 1.8 TSI (4x4 if that matters)?

In this wet winter weather I dont want to turn esc off at all when I remember how the front of the car feels like when I floor it from standstill in normal hot sunny times (very unsofisticated).

Edited 4 December, 201411 yr by toni8b

ESC is one of the most effective, recent safety devices implemented so I would not recommend turning it off for normal driving conditions.

I cannot find the references but from memory the statistics are something like a 30% reduction in single vehicle accidents where it is fitted.

 

Strangely the statistics for the effectiveness of  ABS braking are nowhere near as definitive.