switching traction control off?

[vw_nutta]

hi, i saw someone on here say they'd switched it off.

How do you od that? I didn't think you could on the s4?

[Morpheous]

Push the button on dash that says esp. When light comes on= OFF

[sitas3]

not all S4's have switchable ESP IIRC - I think it only exists on facelift ones.

[KayGee]

yep, it only disengages ESP for acceleration. Pre FL you can turn off EDL by fitting a switch/diode combination to the ABS sensor input from the brake light feed. Useful for drag/circuit racing, not recomended for the road.

[DavidT]

yep, it only disengages ESP for acceleration

I have a facelift S4 with ESP and I'm sure the button turns it off completely, or have I mis-understood ?

[SimonS4MTM]

Dippy, i believe that it turns it off totally except for when the brake pedal is depressed, when it activates again for safety reasons so that the stability control can work.

[DavidT]

Hi Simon, are you getting me confused with Dippy (also a Dave) then ?

ESP is re-engaged automatically when the ABS is active, not during normal brake operation I believe.

[SimonS4MTM]

sorry Dippy, i mean Dave, yes.

when the abs is active sound correct actually

[mrditto]

not all S4's have switchable ESP IIRC - I think it only exists on facelift ones.

My pre FL S4 does not have an ESP switch. Does this mean that it does have ESP which can not be disengaged, or does it not have ESP.

[SimonS4MTM]

My old pre-faclift did not have traction control

[Nige_RS4]

Being post-facelift does not guarantee ESP fitment. I have an early facelift car without ESP (I think it was an option then). The car still has EDL, which is technically not traction control, but it does a better job than any electronic gizmos can, to the point where it is very difficult to notice any wheelslip.

[KayGee]

ESP is not traditional traction control as such, it works by comparing car direction with steering wheel input then applies brakes to the appropriate wheel to aid the steering. Idea is to stop the car from sliding. If you have ESP equipped car, ASR is included.

ASR= traction control for pre FL cars. Pretty sure this is an option...shows up on the dash when you start the car.

EDL=Electronic diff lock (applies brakes to keep the wheels on each axle at the same speed). All cars, works via ABS computer, when bakes are on it's does ABS, when they are on it does EDL.

Unless your spinning all four at the same time......then it doesn't help

[kies4]

how do you tell what your car has fitted, I've managed to spin up all the wheels on gravel, is the a code my garage can check out ?