Does anyone else here feel like the throttle is much more responsive with the ESP off?....
02-23-2007, 02:06 PM
#1
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Does anyone else here feel like the throttle is much more responsive with the ESP off?....
Seems like even when I have full traction, the car is faster with the ESP off, especially at shifts.
02-23-2007, 03:56 PM
#3
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ESP interferes, even subtly, under all conditions, IMO...
the idea where it only kicks in when there is loss of traction at one or more wheels is a pipedream.
I can feel it coming out of a sharp right turn, at low speeds, with no chance of wheel spin. I've heard the same about other car makes with ESP or equivalent.
It's a damm scourge. More and more cars, even low end econoboxes have it now. And I believe it is gov't mandated(US) by 2012, something like that. And what's more, count on there being no off feature in the near future.
I can feel it coming out of a sharp right turn, at low speeds, with no chance of wheel spin. I've heard the same about other car makes with ESP or equivalent.
It's a damm scourge. More and more cars, even low end econoboxes have it now. And I believe it is gov't mandated(US) by 2012, something like that. And what's more, count on there being no off feature in the near future.
02-23-2007, 04:13 PM
#4
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I thought the ESP light came on when the system kicked in.....
but I gotta agree with you. Even with no light, something appears to be cutting performance every now and then in given circumstances unless you turn the system off.
02-23-2007, 05:00 PM
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What light are you talking about? The indicator in dash? I have an S4, so...
it may be different.
Oh, and I can feel it exactly the way you described it in your original post. There seems to be a slight toning down of the throttle/acceleration with ESP on.
How do you feel about turning it off every time you start your car? That idea bothers me, as the countless times the ESP/traction control/ABS has to cycle on and off begs for a breakdown at some point. You still have ASB, but the computer has to modulate those 3 things every time you turn it off. I just worry about the constant on and off messing up somewhere along the line. So, I still have it on most of the time.
Oh, and I can feel it exactly the way you described it in your original post. There seems to be a slight toning down of the throttle/acceleration with ESP on.
How do you feel about turning it off every time you start your car? That idea bothers me, as the countless times the ESP/traction control/ABS has to cycle on and off begs for a breakdown at some point. You still have ASB, but the computer has to modulate those 3 things every time you turn it off. I just worry about the constant on and off messing up somewhere along the line. So, I still have it on most of the time.
02-23-2007, 06:40 PM
#7
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Yes; it shuts down the power all the time. It seems like a different car with it off, maybe........
10% more. It gets old sometimes but I prefer to drive aggressively with the safety of ESP on.
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02-23-2007, 06:57 PM
#8
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It does...and it wears out brakes faster...really....
When I get in my car, the FIRST thing I do as I power up is:
A) Turn the S button on;
B) Hold the ESP button down for 6 seconds...yes, each and every time I get in the car.
The ESP works in a variety of ways, but most importantly, it applies braking force to alternating wheels to keep you from doing something stupid.
I'm not the rookie I use to be when I was 17, so I fully disable the system every single time I get in the car.
On my previous SL600, I didn't...and promptly went through a set of rear brake pads that were NOT covered under warranty in only 6000 miles. Total repairs? $975 out of pocket.
I learned two things from this experience:
A) Disable the traction control...except in slippery climates
B) Never set the e-brake when hot(actually learned that about 20 years ago in racing school). Why not? Because applying a hot e-brake to a scorching hot rotor will cause warping. Since the e-brake only affects the back brakes, only those will warp, but it's still a bad thing.
In fact, I'm SOOOO trained in this practice, I virtually never use the e-brake in any of my cars, ever, except my drift car, of course.
A) Turn the S button on;
B) Hold the ESP button down for 6 seconds...yes, each and every time I get in the car.
The ESP works in a variety of ways, but most importantly, it applies braking force to alternating wheels to keep you from doing something stupid.
I'm not the rookie I use to be when I was 17, so I fully disable the system every single time I get in the car.
On my previous SL600, I didn't...and promptly went through a set of rear brake pads that were NOT covered under warranty in only 6000 miles. Total repairs? $975 out of pocket.
I learned two things from this experience:
A) Disable the traction control...except in slippery climates
B) Never set the e-brake when hot(actually learned that about 20 years ago in racing school). Why not? Because applying a hot e-brake to a scorching hot rotor will cause warping. Since the e-brake only affects the back brakes, only those will warp, but it's still a bad thing.
In fact, I'm SOOOO trained in this practice, I virtually never use the e-brake in any of my cars, ever, except my drift car, of course.
02-23-2007, 07:28 PM
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When you drive with it off and the windows down you will be amazed how easily it spins the tires. I-
agree it limits the engine more than you think. Only major wheelspin shows up on your display IMHO.