DSG off/on debate? I don't understand...

[ElBartoRex]

So I just got my MS3 and, like some others, am wondering if its better for performance to drive with the DSC/TCS on or off.

I drive pretty spiritedly and always with the DSC on-- only once with on a sharp turn in the rain did my DSC correct indicator flash (the little car sliding icon). But as long as the indicator is off, the DSC isn't having any effect on driving, is it?

If its only in extreme situations that the DCS kicks in, it seems like any performance difference with it on or off would be simply a placebo effect..

if you guys turn the DSC on, does that correction indicator light up a lot?? Because it doesnt for me..

 

[aaronc7]

Mine didn't really come on very much and I would always read people on the forums talking about 'spinning all the way thru second' etc. with similar mods and I thought maybe something was wrong with mine...but it's gotten quite a bit colder lately and mine will definitely spin the tires more and I see the light come on a lot more. I also had it kick in once while doing a fast sharp turn on an offramp. I usually keep mine on, unless I'm driving really spirited or something. Performance should be about the same, but if you're racing or w/e you dont want traction control because it will totally kill power for a few seconds.

 

[ElBartoRex]

the only difference occurs when the indicatior light flashes, right? otherwise the car would drive the same as it does when its off.

 

[Rotus8]

There are two versions of "off". If you push the button after the ignition has been turned on, you get one version. If you push the button before turning on the key and hold it for a few seconds after starting (or push and hold immediately after turning on the key) you get the other, more comprehensive "off". Try it and see what happens.

 

[ElBartoRex]

so do you hold the button in every time you turn the car on?

 

[Demi]

This is the diffrence,
DSC off: (just hitting the button) will not allow the drive wheels to accelerate when traction loss is detected, ie spinning the tires. It will keep the wheel speed the same until traction is regained. This is why most people leave it off. It has a tendency to over compensate for the tire spin.
DSC/Traction control off: (holding the button on engine start) Turns off both DSC and traction control, which is the computer intervention when skidding occurs during hard cornering. This is why its easier to ebrake this car when this is off. Unless im out playing i leave this on, and be careful! If you have been whipping it through the back roads with this on, take the first couple of runs slow until you learn the limits in this mode. Hope that helps!
(oh yeah, the whole boost limiting thing is unaffected by either of these modes)

the only difference occurs when the indicatior light flashes, right? otherwise the car would drive the same as it does when its off.

Correct. Thats when your are spinning your tires.

 

[BlackJack]

I turned the DSC off yesterday in the rain to see what would happen. The car pulled like crazy and i get damn good wheel spin.

With the DSC on, i would only get huge amounts of wheel hop.

 

[speed3shon]

when i went to the dragstrip, i planned on turning DSC and TCS off... but the first run i took i accidentally left it on...

that was the fastest run i had all day... best et, and highest trap speed..

although, i did extremely poorly at best on all 5 of my runs (second)

 

[Hirudin]

Can I purpose a name structure?
ON = the DSC button has not been pressed at all
OFF = the DSC button has been pressed a single time after the car was started, the "DSC OFF" light comes on
DISABLED = the DSC button was pressed and held down while starting the car, the "DSC OFF" and the "skidding car" lights come on

I think we can all agree that with the system "on" the car will not allow the wheels to spin (much).

...
DSC off: (just hitting the button) will not allow the drive wheels to accelerate when traction loss is detected
...

It definitely could just be me, but I think you meant "will allow"... right?

 

[AutoXRacer]

I have been wondering the same thing too; I've never turned the DSC/TCS off nor disabled it...

Since my MS CAI install, my wheels spin like crazy... What I mean is:

First and second gear feels like the tires are fighting to bite into the pavement...but no DSC/TCS lights on...and no power cuts.

A few times during WOT the TCS (the squiggly line one) lit up and flashed all the way through first and second, but did not cut power...

I've only experienced the power cut twice, every time shifting into second and the front wheels chirped and then I lunged forward...then the car resumed the acceleration...

When you turn the DSC off, does that only turn off Dynamic Stability Control...? But you still get the power cut during wheel spin?

And the only way to turn off the power cut is by disabling (DSC/TCS) the whole system...?

I'd like to keep DSC on, but turn off the TCS (power cut)...

Whats the point in turning off DSC...? I understand TCS...

 

[Jays07MS3]

I have been wondering the same thing too; I've never turned the DSC/TCS off nor disabled it...

Since my MS CAI install, my wheels spin like crazy... What I mean is:

First and second gear feels like the tires are fighting to bite into the pavement...but no DSC/TCS lights on...and no power cuts.

A few times during WOT the TCS (the squiggly line one) lit up and flashed all the way through first and second, but did not cut power...

I've only experienced the power cut twice, every time shifting into second and the front wheels chirped and then I lunged forward...then the car resumed the acceleration...

When you turn the DSC off, does that only turn off Dynamic Stability Control...? But you still get the power cut during wheel spin?

And the only way to turn off the power cut is by disabling (DSC/TCS) the whole system...?
I'd like to keep DSC on, but turn off the TCS (power cut)...

Whats the point in turning off DSC...? I understand TCS...

Nope. I did this test the other day while logging with the DashHawk. I wanted to see exactly what the car was doing when DCS was ON or OFF (just pushing the button once).

With it on, I rev'd it up pretty high and dumped the clutch. The light came on but it immediately cut power then resumed once it got traction. the log showed boost was normal but the throttle closed from 78% to 23%. It actually did it twice in a very short period of time. You can see it starting to close it in the log where the cursor line is.

With the DSC off, I was able to spin the tires completely through first and into second. No power cut at all. I can't find that log right now but here is the one with DSC ON.

I'll try repeating this test later this week comparing DSC ON and OFF and TCS/DCS OFF.

 

[AutoXRacer]

So why did Mazda label the button DSC...? They should have labeled it TCS (Traction Control System)...?

Thanks Jays07MS3!!!! Good to know...

 

[Jays07MS3]

So why did Mazda label the button DSC...? They should have labeled it TCS (Traction Control System)...?

Thanks Jays07MS3!!!! Good to know...

I think they call it that because it also has to do with the angle of the steering wheel. But for the most part its traction control.

 

[Sierra117]

Just be glad that its easy to turn off and disable. On my 325i, you had to know the secret handshake and be prepared to go on a journey of epic proportions for a shrubery just to turn off the TC/DSC.

 

[Hirudin]

Just be glad that its easy to turn off and disable. On my 325i, you had to know the secret handshake and be prepared to go on a journey of epic proportions for a shrubery just to turn off the TC/DSC.

HAHA (lol)

 

[clos561]

So why did Mazda label the button DSC...? They should have labeled it TCS (Traction Control System)...?

Thanks Jays07MS3!!!! Good to know...

i think its dynamic stability control, because its front wheel drive like mentioned before, it changes power depending on steering wheel angle and speed.