Help me understand traction control

[team_v]

Should also be noted that only 2012+ models had the ability to completely turn off the Traction Control, earlier models still kept it on albeit at a slightly less intrusive form.

[The_Hawk]

Should also be noted that only 2012+ models had the ability to completely turn off the Traction Control

I'm in a 2011 (which is likely deemed a MY12) 118TSI Golf Cabriolet and while it doesn't have the two stage button enabled by default, it's actually possible to code it in.

Here is an excerpt from the thread where it was discovered and discussed:

Interesting... I was playing with VCDS after Guy pointed me at this page for the Golf R:

MK6 Golf R ESP/ESC Defeat

A quick poke and recode and I'm very pleased to report that pressing the ASR button does what it always has, but holding the button now brings up a "ESC Off" message on the screen

For reference (and mostly for me if I need it in the future):

My old Coding:  16 3B 60 0D 09 22 00 FF 68 13 06 E8 90 1A 00 80 31 00 00
My new Coding:  16 3B 60 0D 09 22 [COLOR=#FF0000]80[/COLOR] FF 68 13 06 E8 90 1A [COLOR=#FF0000]01[/COLOR] 80 31 00 00

Source: http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...you-81247.html

[tonymy01]

Interesting that the pdf shows tc= throttle plate angle pull, definitely takes the power away often when needed most and as observed above, sometimes a little spin is desirable vs violent deceleration!

[Ryan_R]

Thanks for the extra info guys

[AdamD]

Just so we're all on the same page I'm talking about turning off ESP just in front of the gear shifter.

Just to clarify further, this button in pre-MY2012 cars is a misnomer. It disables traction control only, and does nothing whatsoever to the ESP system. In MY2012+ cars it can be used to disable the ESP also (holding the button for 4+ seconds), but the ESP will be re-enabled immediately if the car detects ESP intervention would otherwise be required and you apply the brakes.

I'm in a 2011 (which is likely deemed a MY12) 118TSI Golf Cabriolet and while it doesn't have the two stage button enabled by default, it's actually possible to code it in.

That's right Aaron, but you do need the later version of the ABS controller in order to code it to make use of that feature. That controller only made an appearance after about the MY11.5 IIRC. See this post (and others in the same thread): http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...tml#post888722

[Johnson4]

Just to clarify further, this button in pre-MY2012 cars is a misnomer. It disables traction control only, and does nothing whatsoever to the ESP system. In MY2012+ cars it can be used to disable the ESP also (holding the button for 4+ seconds), but the ESP will be re-enabled immediately if the car detects ESP intervention would otherwise be required and you apply the brakes.

So, Adam, would it be right to say that it's "safe" to engage that button in a 2010 GTI? I absolutely hate the way my car shudders when accelerating -- if wheel spin occurs, I'd much rather adjust the throttle myself. But I'm not going to do anything that endangers me or my passengers!

[Ryan_R]

If you drive carefully (esp in the wet) then it should be fine. If you want to discover the limits of adhesion just make sure there is plenty of room all around incase you get it wrong

[Tobes_WIR35]

People survived before traction control and electronic stability programs guys (or so I am told...) haha.

The GTI has such a good diff that the torque steer is very manageable, even in the wet with TCS off and an extra 120Nm of torque.

[AdamD]

So, Adam, would it be right to say that it's "safe" to engage that button in a 2010 GTI? I absolutely hate the way my car shudders when accelerating -- if wheel spin occurs, I'd much rather adjust the throttle myself. But I'm not going to do anything that endangers me or my passengers!

Turning off traction control is certainly not going to endanger your passengers. It's a safety system inasmuch as it works to maintain adhesion between the tyres and the road surface under acceleration (which allows for greater control over the steering), but unless you're being a clown the safety benefit of the added traction in such conditions is marginal in my opinion. Just use the throttle judiciously, and don't go overboard with full throttle in the middle of any 2nd gear corners or you'll get quite a bit of understeer.

If you've not experienced the car's dynamics beyond the limit before, as Ryan suggested, find a very wide and very deserted road in the wet, and try some heavy-handed throttle applications at low speed. Or better yet, find yourself a skidpan.