Switching ESP off completely

[vitchie]

Hi guys

Wonder if you can help. I was at our local 1/4 mile race track tonight and noticed that even with ESP switch off the traction control light in the rev counter area still flashed when I launch hard. This is with the esp light at the top by the high-beam light illuminated. What does this mean, is traction control not switched off completely? I switched if off with the car stationary (message in DIS says ASR disabled). I noticed that if I want to switch it off while driving, i have to hold the button in for +- 5 seconds before it switches off. Then it just says reduced stability and nothing about ASR.

I also noticed that if I switched it off while stationary, ESP automatically comes back on during 2nd gear somewhere.

Any guides or tips on how this works?

[walky_talky20]

I'm not any expert on the B8 systems, but it is probably the electronic differential lock (EDL) that is still kicking in, even when you shut it all off. That is the system that helps to limit wheel spin "per axle". It serves to create a sort of faux-LSD for the front and rear open differentials.

I've found no way to disable EDL other than to pull a fuse or disconnect a wheel speed sensor. Generally, when I go snow drifting I like to pop up my back seat and unplug the left rear wheel speed sensor. That turns all the acronyms off: ABS, ESP, ASR, EDL, EBD, etc. It all goes dumb without input from all 4 wheels. That's my workaround in my B5 anyway. Just thought I'd share.

[rippin'av]

The ESP system on the B8's works together with a shit load of sensors...wheel speed sensors, steering angle sensors, accelleration sensors, etc. Its a separate system with separate sensors to the Traction Control that sends torque to the front or back wheels, and even side-to-side, etc. They are all somehow connected but act independantly as far as my understanding goes...anyone out there with in-depth technical experience on these systems?

I'm not sure what the sensitivity is for ESP when "OFF" but I remember in my AMG Merc the "OFF" position was only really like 90% "OFF"...it would kick on in very extreme cases where I had thrown her into a sharp wet corner or something pretty aggressive...it probably saved my ass more times than I'd like to admit. LOL

Not sure why you are getting the flashing ESP light at launch with it OFF...maybe its just cheering you on :)

[grnfool]

BMW ESP programing has a two stage deactivation program; soft and hard off. The soft off retards ESP allowing you to push the car further then normal but will kick in at the extreme limits, while the hard off is just that...it's completely off.

Could the Audi ESP system have a similar two stage deactivation program?

[Greg Nelson]

Vagcom issue?
If so, suggest ya'll contact rlarsen.
Cheers

[NPuter]

Could the Audi ESP system have a similar two stage deactivation program?

It does. Push ESP button once - ASR turns off. Hold ESP button for 5+ seconds - ESP turns off...

[Anthony]

It does. Push ESP button once - ASR turns off. Hold ESP button for 5+ seconds - ESP turns off...

Was about to post the same thing.

OP, did you press it once quickly, or hold for 5 seconds?

[ikotua]

Was about to post the same thing.

OP, did you press it once quickly, or hold for 5 seconds?

try doing it while stationary. I think you can still switch it off if going below 15km/h. First ASR turns off, keep pressing it, and then ESP.

[vitchie]

Yes I did press it once quickly. Will try the 5 second thing. What exactly is the difference between ASR & ESP?

[ThePiombino]

Yes I did press it once quickly. Will try the 5 second thing. What exactly is the difference between ASR & ESP?

5 seconds.

[vitchie]

5 seconds.

Funny!

[Anthony]

Yes I did press it once quickly. Will try the 5 second thing. What exactly is the difference between ASR & ESP?

Per the glossary on Audi's website...

The Electronic Stability Control helps make the vehicle easier to control in handling situations close to the limit. It reduces the danger of swerving and thus improves directional stability. Electronic Stability identifies the car's intended direction and response. It applies the brakes on individual wheels, thereby generating one-sided forces that help to keep the car moving in the desired direction. The program uses the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), the Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) and the Traction control (ASR) system, and is permanently active.

http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/t...erModalContent

ASR is just one part of the overall ESP (or ESC) system.

[Okan509]

I get in my car, and at least do a single tap every single time. The quattro allows the system to me more of a burden than anything.

In my old C230 the traction was completely necessary so you didn't lose the tail end around each corner.

In this car, the traction control seems to be more of a hindrance on actual performance. Every time I go for a corner with it on, it bogs down due to the braking. Meanwhile, when it's off, the wheels still don't slip and it feels much more natural through corners.

I do keep it on in the rain, but other than that I literally tap it every time I get in the car

Also seems to help shifting seem smoother, due to the slight correction between first and second gear with it on.

[rlarsen]

It is possible to disable ASR (Traction control system) (press button briefly), and ESP/ASR (press button longer than 3 seconds) - but EDL (Electronic differential lock) will still be active.

Here is what the Owner's manual says:

The traction control system (ASR) can only be switched off at speeds below 50 km/h on vehicles with front-wheel drive. At 70 km/h it will switch on again automatically. The ASR can be deactivated at any speed on vehicles with four-wheel drive.

Electronic differential lock (EDL)
When the EDL detects wheelspin, it brakes the spinning wheel and directs the power to the other driven wheel (or wheels on quattro* versions). This function is active up to about 100 km/h.
To prevent the disc brake of the braked wheel from overheating, the EDL cuts out automatically if subjected to excessive loads. The vehicle can still be driven. The EDL will switch on again automatically when the brake has cooled down.

[NickZag]

I get in my car, and at least do a single tap every single time. The quattro allows the system to me more of a burden than anything.

In my old C230 the traction was completely necessary so you didn't lose the tail end around each corner.

In this car, the traction control seems to be more of a hindrance on actual performance. Every time I go for a corner with it on, it bogs down due to the braking. Meanwhile, when it's off, the wheels still don't slip and it feels much more natural through corners.

I do keep it on in the rain, but other than that I literally tap it every time I get in the car

Also seems to help shifting seem smoother, due to the slight correction between first and second gear with it on.

I'm surprised a Mercedes owner would praise Mercedes ESP system for spirted driving. My C63's ESP would ALWAYS interfere, even when it was off (which it's never really off). When tracking my C63, any kind of trail braking would activate it and bog everything down, which was really annoying.

[Okan509]

I'm surprised a Mercedes owner would praise Mercedes ESP system for spirted driving. My C63's ESP would ALWAYS interfere, even when it was off (which it's never really off). When tracking my C63, any kind of trail braking would activate it and bog everything down, which was really annoying.

I think you read it wrong. With the traction control off in the Mercedes the tail end would be everywhere, with it on, I wouldn't be able to do anything without it interfering.

[NickZag]

I think you read it wrong. With the traction control off in the Mercedes the tail end would be everywhere, with it on, I wouldn't be able to do anything without it interfering.

You can get the tailend out on a Mercedes, until you even lightly tap on the brakes then the ESP on the Mercedes interferes big time. I turn my traction control off on my A4 when I'm at the track and I still get wheel spin, even when I trail brake. Most of the wheel spin I get is in the front from understeer exiting the turns, maybe that has something to do with it. I can honestly say I don't think I've ever had any understeer with my A4 except playing around in a wet parking lot and even then I had to flick it as hard as I could to get the rear end loose.