Disabling ESP??

[Sultan]

Hi Guys

Anyone know how to completely turn off the ESP??

It's getting pretty annoying on track days..

Thanks

[DNA Tuning]

You can get it coded out of the ECU software. There does not appear to be a fuse to only disable the ESP part in the VAG cars.

Realistically though, you should just remember to press the button; anyway, you can turn it off while ur moving in case you forget.

[zbeasty]

Depending on the car turning it off via the button doesn't completely disable the ESP. AFAIK in the MkVI it only turns off traction control while ESP is still on in the background. I recall in the article they did in Wheels/Motor recently that APR did something to one of their cars and it made less than 1 sec difference around Wakefield Park.

[Sultan]

You can get it coded out of the ECU software. There does not appear to be a fuse to only disable the ESP part in the VAG cars.

Realistically though, you should just remember to press the button; anyway, you can turn it off while ur moving in case you forget.

I've got a Mk6 GTI, the ABS system, actually works extremely well on the track, but the ESP kicking in mid corner is a right royal pain, it won't let you carry the mid corner speed..
Turning it 'off'' at the button is certainly quicker than running with it on, but being able to switch it off altogether would certainly be quivker again.. Going the ECU way looks definitely the way to go...

[zbeasty]

I've got a Mk6 GTI, the ABS system, actually works extremely well on the track, but the ESP kicking in mid corner is a right royal pain, it won't let you carry the mid corner speed..
Turning it 'off'' at the button is certainly quicker than running with it on, but being able to switch it off altogether would certainly be quivker again.. Going the ECU way looks definitely the way to go...

I think it has been discussed in some other threads on here but there are potential liability issues for a tuner if they were to disable the ESP. If you to have an accident on the road with it turned off it you would leave yourself open to litigation.

If you have a copy of the June 2011 issue of Motor on page 59 it has the article that I mentioned in my other post about switching. Warren Luff was 0.3s per lap quicker around Wakefield in a GTI with the ESP completely off than with it in normal mode. No offense but unless you are already at Luffy's level of being able to steer a car I would say you are better off working on technique rather than trying to work out how to turn it off.

[CarbonVW]

If you have a copy of the June 2011 issue of Motor on page 59 it has the article that I mentioned in my other post about switching. Warren Luff was 0.3s per lap quicker around Wakefield in a GTI with the ESP completely off than with it in normal mode. No offense but unless you are already at Luffy's level of being able to steer a car I would say you are better off working on technique rather than trying to work out how to turn it off.

Yep, I read that aswell. Can be found here if anyone in interesed (page 59 under the title Handbrake Release). Pretty good read aswell.

MOTOR June11

[Sultan]

No offense but unless you are already at Luffy's level of being able to steer a car I would say you are better off working on technique rather than trying to work out how to turn it off.

No offence taken, & wouldn't know, I've never raced against him...
I've been fortunate to have raced at around the country for over 14 years in a variety of cars from open wheelers to sedans to sports cars, and completely agree with Luffy's view on ESP. At QR National circuit I found just under a second with the ESP turned 'off'.

And ZBeasty, I agree totally with you that the current system is safer with folks who aren't used to regular circuit use - It's off enough to have plenty of fun and comes in at the right time to prevent serious damage. I'm merely stating that if driven correctly, being able to completely switch it off would be quicker again..

Do you have a link on the other post? Would like to read it..

[Corey_R]

It's not another post, it's a magazine article. It's the "MOTOR June 11" link in the post above yours...

[Sultan]

Of course I knew that!!!! Thanks...

[Guy_H]

I think it has been discussed in some other threads on here but there are potential liability issues for a tuner if they were to disable the ESP. If you to have an accident on the road with it turned off it you would leave yourself open to litigation.

If you have a copy of the June 2011 issue of Motor on page 59 it has the article that I mentioned in my other post about switching. Warren Luff was 0.3s per lap quicker around Wakefield in a GTI with the ESP completely off than with it in normal mode. No offense but unless you are already at Luffy's level of being able to steer a car I would say you are better off working on technique rather than trying to work out how to turn it off.

Actually one thing that was not printed in that article was that although the "PRO" driver was only 3 tenths quicker (and only for this circuit), the "non pro driver" who also tested the car was a couple of seconds quicker (journalist who is a pretty good steerer) .

I suppose at the pro level, the driver is already driving around the electronic aids to a certain extent. Certainly on a technical circuit, I'm quicker with the aids turned on rather than off

[dave_r]

Guy, skill levels aside (I know TC/ESC didn't bother me on the track given my novice abilities), if VW do release the cars here with the system being able to be fully de-activated does that open the door for say the APR tunes to also remove it without any liability issue?

[Guy_H]

Guy, skill levels aside (I know TC/ESC didn't bother me on the track given my novice abilities), if VW do release the cars here with the system being able to be fully de-activated does that open the door for say the APR tunes to also remove it without any liability issue?

Unfortunately I don't think it will (liability) - its a bit like if you stick in seats without airbags, you still have to get your car fully engineered.

Hopefully it may be something that can be retrofitted - as soon as the switchable cars are available, we will be digging into it, that's for sure - I would love it on our own new Golf R.

[dave_r]

Yeah fair point