Traction Control Can it be turned OFF

[Uncle Benz]

I personaly would not advice you to try this. As ive already said the system is interlinked with so many other systems, and a tempory (switch off) will not affect them, but I dont know the damage that can be done by a permanent shut down. These are expensive cars and experiments are not a good idea, especially as you are only curious and have no real need to shut the system down.:!: As the saying goes curiosity killed the cat ( and they have nine lives).

I found at the Nurburgring, last year, that my enjoyment of the car was being spoiled a little by the over-eager ESP. After switching to dyno mode, my enjoyment was restored. I'm not saying this is for everyone, but if you want to enjoy your car beyond the limit, this is the only way to do it. You can easily resume normal service simply by switching the system back on, or it will reset when you switch off, if you are forgetful. It can do no harm to any systems on the car. It is a built in function.

Tyre wear is another issue.....

 

[television]

so how "off" is it when you press that ESP button?

When you press the off button, the pendelum in the steering box is turned off with the effect that there is no automatic slew correction. the BAS will still function with the ABS and emergancy braking. Other than that the car is normal

 

[shadowninja]

oic so that's 100% off.

oh that 6 second thing mentioned earlier - isn't it a BMW TCS thing?

 

[television]

oic so that's 100% off.

oh that 6 second thing mentioned earlier - isn't it a BMW TCS thing?

I have no idea on that one, maybe someone else knows

 

[shadowninja]

oh, I was told by some car sales guy when I bought my clk as I was asking about the clk's traction control system so he could have been misinformed. apparently (he also said that...) the clk's is much more progressive in its application of the system, whereas the bmw system ramps up the control to 100% (ie cuts the power completely) which can be sudden in extreme angles.

 

[AlVal]

I think the person you spoke to was thinking of bmw, that's the procedure in bmw, pressing the button turns off dtc , but holding it down for 6 seconds or so turns off dtc and dsc (dynamic traction control and dynamic stability control i think the acronyms are)

 

[shadowninja]

Thanks for confirming. I guess it's less likely to be an accidental thing in case you need to claim against you're insurance ie they will know for sure if you turned it off as you would have to hold it that long.

 

[eric242340]

I think the person you spoke to was thinking of bmw, that's the procedure in bmw, pressing the button turns off dtc , but holding it down for 6 seconds or so turns off dtc and dsc (dynamic traction control and dynamic stability control i think the acronyms are)

Your acronyms are correct. On BMW DSC can be swithched off with one click of the switch and the yellow warning triangle will appear on the dash to remind the driver that the system is off. But these are customers cars and I dont like the idea of testing a theory on their cars. Besides, if holding the button for six seconds does actually work and completely shuts down the system, how do you turn it on again? When the traction control is turned off on any car (Benz, BMW, Lincoln Town car etc) the system is still alive and sending certain readings to the other control units. These readings are required by the other control units ie engine control unit and transmission control unit. But the DSC control unit stops sending corrective values, hence the system is alive but will not correct the supension.

As I understand the shut down (above) what would happen if it shut down completely? No more signals to the ECU or EGAS hence limp home mode? I dont have an answer to that so would any kind gentleman like to test this theory on his car?

 

[television]

Most systems that have been turned off in this way will come back on to normal once the car has been re started.

The very fact that they are switchable shows no damage could be done.

If not what damage, name a piece or function

 

[eric242340]

Most systems that have been turned off in this way will come back on to normal once the car has been re started.

The very fact that they are switchable shows no damage could be done.

If not what damage, name a piece or function

I totally agree its switchable and therefore no damage can be done by simply switching it off. Once the engine is restarted it will operate normally again. But what the author of this thread suggests is it can be permanently switched off by holding the off switch down for six seconds, or did I misunderstand this bit?

 

[television]

I totally agree its switchable and therefore no damage can be done by simply switching it off. Once the engine is restarted it will operate normally again. But what the author of this thread suggests is it can be permanently switched off by holding the off switch down for six seconds, or did I misunderstand this bit?

I think eric that it can only be turned off during that running cycle, or that by holding the button for a further 6 sec could restore normal operation.

You cant have one button that could turn something off permanently , a child could do that sitting in the car

 

[eric242340]

I think eric that it can only be turned off during that running cycle, or that by holding the button for a further 6 sec could restore normal operation.

You cant have one button that could turn something off permanently , a child could do that sitting in the car

Maybe your right but I did not start the thread We had better wait and see what the origional poster says.

 

[jibcl500]

The only way I can see to disable traction control is to disable the ESP module, either remove it or remove relays or fuses before the module. Both methods I should imagine would leave the car in need of specialist assistance thereafter.

So thats it, in the wet im happy to watch the orange triangle ficker, and when its switched off I get to see it flicker even more.


jib

 

[eric242340]

The only way I can see to disable traction control is to disable the ESP module, either remove it or remove relays or fuses before the module. Both methods I should imagine would leave the car in need of specialist assistance thereafter.

So thats it, in the wet im happy to watch the orange triangle ficker, and when its switched off I get to see it flicker even more.


jib

And I believe this is the point you tried to make ie its off but never completely off?

 

[type49]

Blimey! Only just read this thread. Switching the ESP off button will only disable throttle intervention, ie, the throttle will not be closed when detecting wheelspin/skidding etc. The brakes will still be applied via ABS/ESP unit when the car is "out of shape". Depending on year (can't remember details), you may be able to switch off system via "dyno" as already mentioned. This feature is not reserved to AMG cars, it's a build date thing. If I had to guess when this feature was made available, I'd say about 2001. This feature will not be in any MB handbook as it is meant for workshop testing of dyno/rolling road etc.

 

[television]

The only way I can see to disable traction control is to disable the ESP module, either remove it or remove relays or fuses before the module. Both methods I should imagine would leave the car in need of specialist assistance thereafter.

So thats it, in the wet im happy to watch the orange triangle ficker, and when its switched off I get to see it flicker even more.


jib

If it flickers when its off it does not mean that it is working, its just idle you could say. You can have the baragraph showing sound in a amplifier, but if you do not have the speaker turned on you will not hear anything.

Removing the fuse would not do any harm, thats why we have them

 

[type49]

Just to add, if you switch it off (via the switch), the orange triangle stays on. It will still flash when detecting wheelspin/skiddding as a warning.

 

[television]

Just to add, if you switch it off (via the switch), the orange triangle stays on. It will still flash when detecting wheelspin/skiddding as a warning.

You should post more often young man

 

[shadowninja]

Just to add, if you switch it off (via the switch), the orange triangle stays on. It will still flash when detecting wheelspin/skiddding as a warning.

been having fun this afternoon then?

 

[type49]

been having fun this afternoon then?

Who me, never!