How do I tell if my car has the above, and what does it do ??? 

D

Edited 11 March, 201610 yr by Devlin

What buttons do you have below the heater controls?

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

If you have a 4x4, Scout, vRS, 2.0 TDI Sport or post 2008 Laurin & Klement then you will definitely have ESP as it was standard on those models. Anything else it was an optional extra.

If you do have it, on pre facelift cars, the button below the climate control will be ESP. On the facelift cars the button has a car skidding symbol.

If you don't have ESP, the button will just be ASR on both facelift and pre-facelift models.

ASR simply stops you from overpowering the front wheels if they're spinning because you're accelerating too hard. It does this by either applying the brakes or by limiting the throttle.

ESP also has the ASR function, but will also will use various sensors to determine if the car is out of control, I.e skidding, under steering etc. If it senses this, it will brake individual wheels to correct the car and bring it back in line.

Having ESP can mean the difference between seeing a light flashing on the dash telling you that the car is correcting itself, and having a crash.

Edited 12 March, 201610 yr by softscoop

Thanks all I have the skidding car button, reason I ask is I am fitting a tow bar and all the grime warning about special electrical requirements have left me with this question, to avoid confusion why cant I just turn it off when towing,    

It's not possible to disable ESC/ESP on any standard Octavia (where fitted), the only option is to disable ASR via the 'skidding car' button.

 

The reason it comes up in relation to towbar fitting is that a genuine towbar module will enable T-ESC (where ESC is fitted). In the event that ESP is needed it can take the trailer into account, also if the trailer starts to snake it will apply brakes in phase to counteract it therefore regain control.

 

Personally I'd pay a little bit more and get the genuine wiring kit/control module.

 

Glossary:

ASR - Anti Slip Regulation (traction control)

ESC/ESP - Electronic Stability Control/Program https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_stability_control

T-ESC - Trailer ESC (trailer assist)

Hopefully you will be driving sensibly and safely enough to never need either, but ESP definitely gives a little peace of mind.

If you have a 4x4, Scout, vRS, 2.0 TDI Sport or post 2008 Laurin & Klement then you will definitely have ESP as it was standard on those models. Anything else it was an optional extra.

 

 

Not that straight forward certain other models Greenline  and DSG models get the full suite.

Thanks all I have the skidding car button, reason I ask is I am fitting a tow bar and all the grime warning about special electrical requirements have left me with this question, to avoid confusion why cant I just turn it off when towing,    

 

What are you towing?

I will be towing a trailer and a caravan not together   tho, 

I'd go for a full dedicated wiring kit if towing a caravan.

 

Also be aware that the 1.6 TDi DSG (In your signature) has a relatively low kerbweight of 1300kg which will severely restrict you choice of caravan.

 

Lee

I'd go for a full dedicated wiring kit if towing a caravan.

 

Also be aware that the 1.6 TDi DSG (In your signature) has a relatively low kerbweight of 1300kg which will severely restrict you choice of caravan.

 

Lee

 

Handbook states maximum braked trailer load is 1200 kg and curb weight of 1290 kg. I would always aim at keeping the trailer weight no more than 80% of the kerb weight. Details of max towing weight for your model are shown on a sticker at the bottom of the B frame when you open the passenger door.

 

The kerb weight of the Mk 2 is much lower than the equivalent Mk1 model.

Edited 13 March, 201610 yr by pikpilot

Handbook states maximum braked trailer load is 1200 kg and curb weight of 1290 kg. I would always aim at keeping the trailer weight no more than 80% of the kerb weight. Details of max towing weight for your model are shown on a sticker at the bottom of the B frame when you open the passenger door.

 

The kerb weight of the Mk 2 is much lower than the equivalent Mk1 model.

 

2011 Brochure says the 1.6TDi DSG has a kerbweight of 1300kg and a max tow of 1400kg. So limits may depend on year/model. Always best to check on the plated weights on the Vehicle.

 

The 80% advisory limit for new towers of caravans is good advice but even the caravan clubs advice allow for upto 100% for more experienced towers.

 

What younger towers also need to watch is the post 1997 licence restrictions which does not include B+E catagory. This limits the driver to a trailer no more than 100% of cars kerbweight and the combined Maximum Allowable Mass of the car and trailer combined can be no more than 3500kg. Not a problem with a Octavia but can be with a Passat/Superb or bigger.

 

Lee