Help me understand traction control

[zoomda]

It is definitely power cut in my R. I don't know if it breaks as well though.

[Justjuice]

Just so we're all on the same page I'm talking about turning off ESP just in front of the gear shifter.

With it off do you guys ever feel your wheels spinning or just know that it occurs at some point?

I seriously don't know if it's just in my head but it really does feel a better drive overall with the ESP off.

[tonymy01]

For the R >=2012, first step is TC off, second step (holding down about 3 or 4 secs) is ECS off.

[BoschAutoShop]

There is a lot of misinformation in this thread. To get the facts straight, no modern Bosch ESP system will apply the brakes when metering traction under hard, straight-line acceleration - this is nonsensical and would only destabilise the vehicle further.

Without explaining the complexities of the system, it is effectively cutting power output when it detects wheelspin coming from excessive acceleration. The effect is basically the same as a soft rev limiter and will be audible out the exhaust.

The instances during which the brakes may be applied via the ABS circuit, however, is when there is an unnatural slip angle found during cornering - such as understeer. An example: if the front left wheel is loaded and losing traction, the system may apply brake pressure to the inside right rear wheel in order to tighten the steering angle.

[Rawcpoppa]

Guys this document may go a long way to explaining traction control systems in VAG vehicles.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...st_Systems.pdf

The document is a VAG document under their Self Study Programmes. If you have trouble accessing it let me know.

See page 36.

[team_v]

Should also be noted that only 2012+ models had the ability to completely turn off the Traction Control, earlier models still kept it on albeit at a slightly less intrusive form.

[The_Hawk]

Should also be noted that only 2012+ models had the ability to completely turn off the Traction Control

I'm in a 2011 (which is likely deemed a MY12) 118TSI Golf Cabriolet and while it doesn't have the two stage button enabled by default, it's actually possible to code it in.

Here is an excerpt from the thread where it was discovered and discussed:

Interesting... I was playing with VCDS after Guy pointed me at this page for the Golf R:

MK6 Golf R ESP/ESC Defeat

A quick poke and recode and I'm very pleased to report that pressing the ASR button does what it always has, but holding the button now brings up a "ESC Off" message on the screen

For reference (and mostly for me if I need it in the future):

My old Coding:  16 3B 60 0D 09 22 00 FF 68 13 06 E8 90 1A 00 80 31 00 00
My new Coding:  16 3B 60 0D 09 22 80 FF 68 13 06 E8 90 1A 01 80 31 00 00

Source: APR Tuned Vehicles - Question for you

[tonymy01]

Interesting that the pdf shows tc= throttle plate angle pull, definitely takes the power away often when needed most and as observed above, sometimes a little spin is desirable vs violent deceleration!

[Ryan_R]

Thanks for the extra info guys

[AdamD]

Just so we're all on the same page I'm talking about turning off ESP just in front of the gear shifter.

Just to clarify further, this button in pre-MY2012 cars is a misnomer. It disables traction control only, and does nothing whatsoever to the ESP system. In MY2012+ cars it can be used to disable the ESP also (holding the button for 4+ seconds), but the ESP will be re-enabled immediately if the car detects ESP intervention would otherwise be required and you apply the brakes.

I'm in a 2011 (which is likely deemed a MY12) 118TSI Golf Cabriolet and while it doesn't have the two stage button enabled by default, it's actually possible to code it in.

That's right Aaron, but you do need the later version of the ABS controller in order to code it to make use of that feature. That controller only made an appearance after about the MY11.5 IIRC. See this post (and others in the same thread): How to Disable ESP