There are many topics on the internet about "I want to drift but ESP is preventing it, how to turn it off?" or similar.

 

My problem is the opposite. I don't want my car to drift or skid, yet it did, in spite of ESP.

(I mentioned this in another thread, the one about software updates, I think it deserves a separate thread)

 

After a right curve the rear of the car swerved out (over-steering) and the ESP did nothing (no ESP symbol lights flashed up - I was looking for it). Not sure what to think of it, I don't have much experience with ESP, but according to ads, this is what ESP is designed to prevent.

 

Details:

temp was 8 C

afternoon

road in good condition (almost new) but slightly wet (there were light rains during the day, but not when I was driving)

speed about 50 km/h (31 MPH, the usual in-city speed limit)

slightly downhill

new tires (Kumho Ecsta, 10 month old)

new car (10 months)

 

The rear of the car moved to side almost for one meter, I counter steered to fix it.

 

Later, I drove into a (back)yard, took a sharp left turn, the ESP lights flashed and the car took the curve like on rails. This was on what I call a "tractor road": a belt of grass in the middle and two belts of pebbles where the tires go (no idea what it is called, not even in my native language. county road?) I didn't mind if it would skid as there was only grass around it. The speed was 20-30 km/h

 

Why did ESP "not work" in the first case?

I would expect to pass that curve even without ESP, it was not that sharp, neither was I driving that fast. Bad luck? A speck of oil?

 

Car: 1.5 TSI manual liftback , 2021 april, SW 1803

Edited 20 March, 20224 yr by xerces8

Did you lift off mid corner?

36 minutes ago, MiniNinjaRob said:

Did you lift off mid corner?

Not sure I understand.

 

Oh, this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lift-off_oversteer

 

No, I don't think so. I was going at the same speed the entire curve and the skid happened at the very end of the curve. I probably accelerated a bit at exit. Or not. It was about a month ago, so I don't really remember.

Edited 20 March, 20224 yr by xerces8

If you take your foot off the gas half way round the corner (for example if you think you are going too fast ) then it can induce lift off oversteer in a front wheel drive car.
 

Basically what happens is that lifting off the throttle moves the centre of gravity of the car forwards and unweights them back wheels slightly which can make them slide if they are already near the limit of grip. 
 

Sounds like the conditions you were in were perfect - slightly greasy Road from rainfall, downhill, low temperature (regular tyres can be pretty hard at low temps with not much grip) - for losing traction that way. 

 

The term “Drifting” is pretty much only used for intentional oversteer and they never use FWD cars for that sort of action!!

Edited 20 March, 20224 yr by MiniNinjaRob