Can ASR be coded off?

[Jani]

I've come to the conclusion that I'd like to switch the ASR (traction control) off permanently, regardless if ESP is on or off. Why? Because it cuts power ridiculously soon, and doesn't let torsen do it's job. ESP off you can get tremendous traction off the corners, without real wheelspin (revs not rising abruptly), and the line stays tidy as well.

In some cases I'd like to keep ESP active, if I cock up braking or some corner, or have to back off abruptly.

Is there a way to code it off with VAG-COM, or do I just keep pushing the ESP-button every time I'm about to feel the power? A bit too obvious for the missus, she'll soon start slapping my wrist

[Conti]

ESP is never really switched off if you press the button!
Don't ask me why, but Carl said so at last year's Drivers' Challenge!

[SimonS4MTM]

I was able to do some donuts last Sunday with it turned off (on grass)

[Golich]

In my never ending quest to establish what the quattro system does under full power lock to lock etc. I too have managed some truly awsome tight donuts and large radius seriously fast donuts with the ESP off and a little clutch slip. So I don't understand the comment that ESP is never truely switched off. Having said that I don't know what the electronic diff is doing. I think it says in the manual that this is never off. Could this be what Carl is talking about?

However, I'm still not confident of what these beasts do when they let go. I'd love to try out the Audi driving experience. But I'm seriously skint right right now having just moved into my first house. I'll just have to stick to big wet car parks I know what a child

[Carl]

howdy!

esp can´t be turned off completly, due to safety reasons. if you turn it off and the car gets instable in heavy cornering and you push the brakes, the esp turns itself on because it thinks: "the car is instable in a corner and my driver is pushing the brakes, so he must be in a situation where he needs me so i turn myself on for this situation"

cheers
carl

[JAMES]

i had a problem with the steering wheel sensor,this put the traction light up on the dash and i lost traction control,abs and esp.
i dont understand what the steering sensor has to do with the abs but it seems they are all coded together.
i pressume with the esp button off you still get abs.

[Jani]

Carl,

does the warning light (ESP off) go away if the system reactivates itself? It does make sense there is such a feature, just it should be documented in the manual. And there should be a way of turning that off too.

I will keep looking into this matter of getting rid of ASR.

[Nordschleife]

i had a problem with the steering wheel sensor,this put the traction light up on the dash and i lost traction control,abs and esp.
i dont understand what the steering sensor has to do with the abs but it seems they are all coded together.
i pressume with the esp button off you still get abs.

James

The latest version of ABS picks up your steering inputs, and helps you steer under maximum braking

So, brake hard, when you feel the ABS activate, double the force on the brake pedal (only the unweighted rear wheels are locking), then smoothly but promptly steer into another lane - you can do it without losing control - if you make the entire manoeuver in a smooth brisk and even cadenced manner - the ABS picks up your steering inputs and regulates the brakes to help you achieve your intention.

R+C

[Nordschleife]

I've come to the conclusion that I'd like to switch the ASR (traction control) off permanently, regardless if ESP is on or off. Why? Because it cuts power ridiculously soon, and doesn't let torsen do it's job. ESP off you can get tremendous traction off the corners, without real wheelspin (revs not rising abruptly), and the line stays tidy as well.

In some cases I'd like to keep ESP active, if I cock up braking or some corner, or have to back off abruptly.

Is there a way to code it off with VAG-COM, or do I just keep pushing the ESP-button every time I'm about to feel the power? A bit too obvious for the missus, she'll soon start slapping my wrist

Jani

VAG-COM cannot help you here. The newer quattro cars do not react well to a muscular driving style, smooth and minimalist is the fastest way.

However, if you want to make like a rally driver, where as you know, tail-out is safer, then you are going to have to talk to MTM about your problem. MTM have some solutions, but they only offer them to people who know what they are doing.

I caught a bit of the WRC round in Turkey the other day, the drivers are complaining that it has got so fast now that they can no longer flick the cars, so the accidents, when they happen are very serious.

R+C

[Jani]

The newer quattro cars do not react well to a muscular driving style, smooth and minimalist is the fastest way.

However, if you want to make like a rally driver, where as you know, tail-out is safer, then you are going to have to talk to MTM about your problem. MTM have some solutions, but they only offer them to people who know what they are doing.

I don't drive in wide slides, and generally think I have quite a smooth style. It just annoys me that I can't get decent drive out of corners like I should. Slow in (relatively), fast out used to be the best approach to quattro, safe and efficient as well. ASR ruins that. What's the point of ASR if it takes away the quattro advantage? Might as well get an M5

MTM chip already was a step forward, as it now allows left foot braking. I'll have to talk to the about the ASR too.

[Nordschleife]

For starters, I suggest you fit the quattro rear anti-roll bar, it neutralises the handling considerably.

If you are driving on unstable surfaces, the ESP/ASR will be a little more sensitive.

To cut down on the interference from the ESP/ASR, try cornering in a gear o0ne higher than you normally would for that corner - it makes a big difference, the higher the gear, the less the interference from the electronics.

R+C
PS if you are perfectly set up for a corner, you can get all the power down at the apex, otherwise it will interfere on the way out, so to cut down on the interference in the second half of the turn, practice different lines in the first half, believe me it DOES work

[Jani]

The quattro suspension kit has been ordered, waiting for it to arrive. I think I'll just install the ARB first, and after the snowy season the rest.

Thanks for the tips, I'm visiting a racetrack for the first time with the '4 tomorrow.