ESP/traction control

veedub-ally · Post by **veedub-ally** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 9:13 pm

Just wondering if anyone has ESP/traction control specified on their car and is able to comment for me.

Bascially, I ordered my car with the ESP option which includes traction control as I didn't think it would be driveable to its full potential without it. However, on a few occasions I have pulled out to overtake other traffic, planted the throttle and then struggled with the wheel as I get wheelspin causing me to back off the gas. I can only conclude that either the traction takes an age to kick in or it is not working properly.

My car is going into the garage next week to get checked but I wondered if anyone could advise.

If it is taking ages to kick in then I reckon it isn't really worth the Â£445 extra that I had to pay.

Cheers.

DanDiesel · Post by **DanDiesel** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 1:13 pm

i get the same sorta thing with my ibiza when i plant the gas hard especially in the wet! i only have traction control!
if the traction control wasn't there, then the wheels would just spin up and i think the movement of the steering wheel is like a method of telling u to step off the gas slightly to help u get grip!
i don't know for sure if this is the case but i know it works for me!

ModifiedMadness · Post by **ModifiedMadness** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 4:54 pm

Same with the GTi, they have EDL and it says that the light comes on when it's in use (sliding on a corner for example) I've slid a couple of times and not seen the light come on or felt that it's doing anything.

It's been me braking that's stopped anything.

veedub-ally · Post by **veedub-ally** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 6:11 pm

Same with the GTi, they have EDL and it says that the light comes on when it's in use (sliding on a corner for example) I've slid a couple of times and not seen the light come on or felt that it's doing anything.

It's been me braking that's stopped anything.

Great! That's the way I feel..... Â£445 extra for nothing!

Well done VW!!!

Buzby · Post by **Buzby** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 6:20 pm

On mine it seems to work pretty well, I've had to boot it a couple of times at junctions etc, and it seems (feels) to cut the engine power until traction is restored

ModifiedMadness · Post by **ModifiedMadness** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 6:26 pm

It's more fun without it though

DanDiesel · Post by **DanDiesel** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 6:15 pm

ah very true, new front tyres on the way for u then mate??

ModifiedMadness · Post by **ModifiedMadness** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 7:05 pm

Not just yet, I don't think it will be too long though. I try not to spin the wheels at all if I can help it, well it does changing from 1st to 2nd under acceleration but other than that.

mfa-polo · Post by **mfa-polo** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 9:59 pm

the light has flashed up on my golf gti, a few times now!!

DanDiesel · Post by **DanDiesel** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 9:35 pm

yeah i found with the leon, if u turned the tcs off and then booted it, u could spin the wheels definately in2 3rd and maybe 4th but never got there!!

veedub-ally · Post by **veedub-ally** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:56 pm

Thanks for all the comments guys.

Car is now in the garage this week so I await their comments......

S.A. Stu · Post by **S.A. Stu** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 5:18 pm

Mine works really well.

Push too hard and it backs the power off a lot for a sec then gives it back. Have felt it sorting out understeer in the wet. Sorta like i felt the car slide and as i thought "I should probably do something about this..." The car did it for me.

Also sorts out ovesteer pretty quickly on slippery concrete parking lots....Fun!!!

dino · Post by **dino** » Fri Mar 17, 2006 9:06 am

I've had it flash up on the Golf plus i borrowed once - purely accidental. My car doesn't have it and i don't really mind.

My bosses Merc C180 has it and i normally always get it flashing up when i pull out of junctions.