[dkmiller3356]

Sorry if this has been discussed to death - I did a search and read some threads but didn't quite get it...

I just got my first BMW - and X4. There is a button that says traction off and when I push it the "TRACTION" light comes on the dash. The car then sends a message that DSC stabilization and driver assistance is off.

So... do I use traction or not? If so under what conditions?

Thanks

[Got f1?]

Originally Posted by dkmiller3356

Sorry if this has been discussed to death - I did a search and read some threads but didn't quite get it...

I just got my first BMW - and X4. There is a button that says traction off and when I push it the "TRACTION" light comes on the dash. The car then sends a message that DSC stabilization and driver assistance is off.

So... do I use traction or not? If so under what conditions?

Thanks

It should be on by default. No reason to turn it off generally. Sometimes in snow or ice when you're stuck, wheel swing fro turning it off can help.

[Fuzzuki]

Even with it on the car is allowed to drift a fair amount.
As soon as the thought enters your head to correct for drift, it takes over and does it for you!!!!

[Trimark]

There are three settings for the DSC (on, partially on, off). By pressing the DSC button once you switch to partially on. By pressing the button for 3-5 seconds, it will turn it off.

It only makes sense to turn it off if you would like use launch control or take off faster at the light. With DSC on the car reduces the torque on the wheels at start, thus you can experience a lag in the acceleration.

This video is in German, but they illustrate the difference in acceleration with/without DSC (skip to circa 5 mins):

[Teddy_Riley]

Originally Posted by Trimark

There are three settings for the DSC (on, partially on, off). By pressing the DSC button once you switch to partially on. By pressing the button for 3-5 seconds, it will turn it off.

It only makes sense to turn it off if you would like use launch control or take off faster at the light. With DSC on the car reduces the torque on the wheels at start, thus you can experience a lag in the acceleration.

This video is in German, but they illustrate the difference in acceleration with/without DSC (skip to circa 5 mins):

[david in germany]

Dtc button,
Normal driving leave it on, the car says “I got you bro, nothing to worry about”
Push it once, “ car says “ok, you can have a bit of fun but I will keep you generally safe”
Push and hold, car is like “ ok, you are on your own, please don’t kill me!”

[Trimark]

I have tried the DSC on/off functions at a professional driver training on wet synthetic raisin at low speeds and even with DSC on and in Comfort mode the Xdrive left room for drifting in the corners (at around 20-30 kmh) instead of keeping the car on the ideal curve.

At the skid pad (wet synthetic raisin surface, going 50 kmh) the car was hard to steer back to straight line even with DSC on. Felt like a rear wheel drive car. Regular front wheel drive cars easily passed the test without any drama.

Overall I think the RWD biased Xdrive and the sporty DSC is fun in dry weather, but requires more attention and experience from the driver in rain/snow and very good tires. Not as safe as Audi's mechanical Quattro system.