Disable ESP

[Timbo]

Actually, I think you'll find the systems are common across many cars. ESP/DSC are basically just ECU additions that modulate throttle/braking based on sensor inputs (yaw/wheelspin/wheel lock-up). Those sensors are pretty standard. The changes relate to taking that sensor data and integrating it with the engine ECU. I think one factor holding back certain models has been the absence of throttle-by-wire....as well as the continued use of old ECUs.

[Glide_GTI]

I think seb said you could turn it off completely by taking out the fuse for the ABS or something like that, one of the fuses.

[xposdu]

As someone stated, if you turn off the ESP it wont kick back on unless you have really got yourself into trouble.

Suggestion to the guy losing traction through second, back off the throttle, just because you have nailed the throttle doesnt mean you will be quicker. Its a fine art dancing any vehicle around a track, but with a bit of practice you will always be faster with ESP off. My suggestion, control your right foot.

[GT3]

My suggestion, control your right foot.

My suggestion - assumptions shouldn't be made about how I use the throttle, my initial comments were taken far too literally. Unless you've been in the situations I've been in and seen how my car responds with the ESP switched off, you wouldn't know. Until then, the self-proclaimed experts should refrain from making such commentary.

[Funkdancer]

I'd like to support GT3 in a way by chipping in that the turbo and our light vehicle weight makes the right foot control somewhat tricky.

I would think that it would take someone very experienced to keep the boost up to maximum output _just_ on the side of not generating excessive wheelspin out of a corner with uneven surface (e.g. throw in the red white kerb etc).

This is where the all natural Civic R would have a nice advantage, well for us mere mortals anyway

If you can do it properly, all the power to you

(Haven't been on the track in my APRed Polo myself yet so not sure where I belong)

[Timbo]

Just returning to the OP's question, although I haven't experienced it on the track, I would suggest that if you turn ESP off and, for example, lift off on the exit to a corner, you will certainly experience oversteer, probably spinning. I don't think the described override ESP (and I'm not sure what's there) is sufficient to protect you from that.

As to the other issues, the Polo is fundamentally an understeering car, and in particular a power understeering car. When you chip these cars, you can exascerbate this, especially when the power comes on quite strongly and rapidly (see dyno chart). Chipping gives you are surge of power (in my case) from around 2,800 rpm....meaning a soft right foot is essential but often hard to achieve on some circuits

That's why many have fitted RSBs, to counter the understeer. With these, you certainly feel the rear come around on lift-off, with ESP off. As to the ultimate situation, well, I haven't tried it, nor do I intend to, but I think I can guess

[pomme]

Just returning to the OP's question, although I haven't experienced it on the track, I would suggest that if you turn ESP off and, for example, lift off on the exit to a corner, you will certainly experience oversteer, probably spinning. I don't think the described override ESP (and I'm not sure what's there) is sufficient to protect you from that.

As to the other issues, the Polo is fundamentally an understeering car, and in particular a power understeering car. When you chip these cars, you can exascerbate this, especially when the power comes on quite strongly and rapidly (see dyno chart). Chipping gives you are surge of power (in my case) from around 2,800 rpm....meaning a soft right foot is essential but often hard to achieve on some circuits

That's why many have fitted RSBs, to counter the understeer. With these, you certainly feel the rear come around on lift-off, with ESP off. As to the ultimate situation, well, I haven't tried it, nor do I intend to, but I think I can guess

Yea have the RSB, and it steps out.. but only for a fraction of a second before fixing itself... with all the posts maybe i'm just imagining it... its very noticable in the wet i think. Who knows anymore.

[Funkdancer]

Can definitely confirm the chipped understeer tendency (the empty roundabout scenario.) Very easy to control with the accellerator though. Sounds like a RSB would be nice regardless.

[awestonvp]

Quote from Dean Sammut, experienced race driver:
"Alan, got to admit your car is a bit of an animal, all that power going thru skinny front wheels with no LSD and a very touchy throttle..."

(chipped Polo at Winton)

[Timbo]

Winton is quite an unpleasant circuit to drive in a FWD...with any power and no LSD