Can I switch off ESP permanently?

[lordgibbness]

Yup, I drive like you said but its the bit where I want to accelerate out of the corner while still steering a bit that doesn't happen.
If I accelerate while still steering I don't get an acceleration untill the steering wheel is straight which is a PITA for getting around corners quickly!!

That's FWD for you! The wheels are steering as well as taking the torque from the engine, which will always result in loss of speed around a corner.

Regarding ESP, I believe that the button only turns off the TC. ESP is always on as a safety measure. The button says ESP simply to show that the car has this feature.

I don't think you'd notice the ESP unless you do something wrong, whereas TC is useless in all but very wet conditions and driver skill will always be better than TC in my opinion.

 

[m0rk]

ESP monitors wheels speeds, and steering angle

what you're "noticing" isn't ESP though

it's the EDL (electronic Diff lock) which stops the inside wheel spinning (or) the TCS kicking in

as you suggest, you're either applying too much power too early, or steering too much (see earlier comment about driving better)

none of the electronic 'aids' will kick in unless you're already loosing traction

 

[Feel]

EDL only works up to 20 (?) mph though.

@lordgibness - pressing the ESP button turns the TCS, EDL (I think) fully off and reduces the sensitivity of the ESP.

@Junior Senior - If your comment about not getting acceration until the steering wheel is straight applies when you've got the ESP "OFF" then there's got to be something else wrong - this is not the ESP kicking in. If you're planting your foot all the time, with the ESP "ON" it'll cut the power, With the ESP "OFF" it'll scrabble/understeer/light up.

ESP keeps the car straight. TCS keeps traction. EDL stops one wheel spinning more than the other.

 

[Number86]

Wheels spinning out of corners is (as said) a limitation of front wheel drive. As we all know, it's difficult enough trying to stop the poor tyres wheel spinning under 200+bhp of juice, so it's hardly suprising they **** themselves when you're also trying to steer round a corner at the same time.

He's not doing anything wrong, other than perhaps a bit too much throttle. All FWD cars will do it provided it's wet or they have a bit of poke.

I've yet to get the ESP saving me yet. If a massive empty wet road ever allows it, I might see if I can invoke it one day. Other than that, I hope I never need it!

 

[Willie]

ESP does monitor a few things, but I don't know if steering angle is one of them?

Stupid question, but do you get the flashing yellow light on the dash when this happens?

No bud, no flashing lights.
I'm really starting to think there is something on its way out as have had the cars since new (2003) and only started to notice this recently
Think its another question for Jim from Star performance
Mork, your pretty sure I'm a rubbish driver arn't you!!
I think that after covering 65,000 miles I know how to drive the car by now

 

[Willie]

Wheels spinning out of corners is (as said) a limitation of front wheel drive. As we all know, it's difficult enough trying to stop the poor tyres wheel spinning under 200+bhp of juice, so it's hardly suprising they **** themselves when you're also trying to steer round a corner at the same time.

He's not doing anything wrong, other than perhaps a bit too much throttle. All FWD cars will do it provided it's wet or they have a bit of poke.

I've yet to get the ESP saving me yet. If a massive empty wet road ever allows it, I might see if I can invoke it one day. Other than that, I hope I never need it!

The ESP has saved me a few times, there has been a few brown pant moments

 

[jonnie5]

I believe that these driver aids are good t what there supposed to do. TCS is for better traction, but only really useful in the wet. ESP however is actually a great system. Firstly if your driving along not really paying attention to the road (in which you should be)(possibly getting discracted by the passenger or kids in the back) at you hit surface water/mud or even black ice this will inable you to gain back control on the car quicker and safer. However if your in the frame of mind that your knowingly pushing the car to its limits and know how to control the car as soon as you break traction your ready for oversteer or understeer in which you'd be looking to either control the slide either by steering in or feathering the thottle until traction is gained. If how ever you decide that your to quick and get lift of oversteer and try to correct and the esp kicks in and your trying to sort the slide out yourself this can throw you off and end up in a further mess.
There is is time and place for switching these saftey features off and 99% of the time it isn't on public roads. Pushing the cars to the limit of breaking traction your obviously driving to hard for the public roads. These safety feature will still be working when your switched off, thats the whole point of them. They will work when you least expecting something bad to happen. But yes get in the way when you paying attension.

 

[lordgibbness]

I believe that these driver aids are good t what there supposed to do. TCS is for better traction, but only really useful in the wet. ESP however is actually a great system. Firstly if your driving along not really paying attention to the road (in which you should be)(possibly getting discracted by the passenger or kids in the back) at you hit surface water/mud or even black ice this will inable you to gain back control on the car quicker and safer. However if your in the frame of mind that your knowingly pushing the car to its limits and know how to control the car as soon as you break traction your ready for oversteer or understeer in which you'd be looking to either control the slide either by steering in or feathering the thottle until traction is gained. If how ever you decide that your to quick and get lift of oversteer and try to correct and the esp kicks in and your trying to sort the slide out yourself this can throw you off and end up in a further mess.
There is is time and place for switching these saftey features off and 99% of the time it isn't on public roads. Pushing the cars to the limit of breaking traction your obviously driving to hard for the public roads. These safety feature will still be working when your switched off, thats the whole point of them. They will work when you least expecting something bad to happen. But yes get in the way when you paying attension.

I can see what you mean, say you get into a slide and good driving states that you steer into it to stop it. However with ESP it will 'assume' (based on steering angle) that you intend to travel in that direction and could force you off the road...

It's kind of a driving-for-dummies safety measure, as they might continue to point their steering wheel at the direction that they want to travel, rather than try to stop the slide.

 

[m0rk]

I can see what you mean, say you get into a slide and good driving states that you steer into it to stop it. However with ESP it will 'assume' (based on steering angle) that you intend to travel in that direction and could force you off the road...

It's kind of a driving-for-dummies safety measure, as they might continue to point their steering wheel at the direction that they want to travel, rather than try to stop the slide.

ESP won't run you off the road... the driver pointing the steering wheel will do that

it just 'makes' you go in the direction you're pointing at (where physics allows)

You can on the LCR, and later Leon's get sideways easily with ESP on, but what it will do it just bring it back straight - without the fishtailling

 

[jonnie5]

I can see what you mean, say you get into a slide and good driving states that you steer into it to stop it. However with ESP it will 'assume' (based on steering angle) that you intend to travel in that direction and could force you off the road...

It's kind of a driving-for-dummies safety measure, as they might continue to point their steering wheel at the direction that they want to travel, rather than try to stop the slide.

Most people that drive on the roads think they can handle a car, been go karting and think they know it all about car control. But in actual fact they cant, they can only steer into a slide and thats it, but theres more to it than that. especially if the car starts to slide then gets steered into and the all of a suden grips and throws the weight to the other side. Esp is good for people that get taken buy surprise or simply cant control a car. Or foolishly think they can. Any person car floor it in a steight line or try going fast round corners ut its another that can get themselfs out of a sticky situation.

 

[RobM]

Most people that drive on the roads think they can handle a car, been go karting and think they know it all about car control. But in actual fact they cant, they can only steer into a slide and thats it, but theres more to it than that. especially if the car starts to slide then gets steered into and the all of a suden grips and throws the weight to the other side. Esp is good for people that get taken buy surprise or simply cant control a car. Or foolishly think they can. Any person car floor it in a steight line or try going fast round corners ut its another that can get themselfs out of a sticky situation.

I agree with that entirely. I think the roads are filled with people who think they can extract the cars entire potential, yet in fact can't. Add that to the people who only know how to use the throttle and brakes as an on-off switch and things like ESP are a must.

Driving fast is about driving fluidly... if you're always getting into a situation where ESP is kicking in, I think your driving style needs to be adjusted.

 

[jonnie5]

I agree with that entirely. I think the roads are filled with people who think they can extract the cars entire potential, yet in fact can't. Add that to the people who only know how to use the throttle and brakes as an on-off switch and things like ESP are a must.

Driving fast is about driving fluidly... if you're always getting into a situation where ESP is kicking in, I think your driving style needs to be adjusted.

The smoother the better. Smoother will be faster. Also people never look more than there front bumper never mind whats even half a mile down the road.

 

[RobM]

Agreed... again!