BMW DSC Button

chops018

What does it do, what happens when you press it and the light comes on? I noticed in BMW's (back-wheel drive one's especially - or are they all back wheel drive?) that if it spins out on a corner or sometimes going over a ramp, the light will come on for a second.

But what happens if you press it to leave it on all the time?

Mc1981

It switches off the traction control if you hold it pressed until the light stays on.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

DSC is dynamic stability control. When it is on, it will attempt to stop you spinning off in the wet.

You have the option of switching off the DSC either partially or fully. Fully off is fun in the right time and place but no way would I drive around in the wet with it fully off

challengemaster

DSC stands for dynamic stability control, which in essence is traction control. Usually if the car detects wheel spin, it will cut the power in an attempt to rectify the situation.

When you hold down that button and the light comes on, you've just turned off traction control. This means if you get wheel spin the car will do nothing to intervene.

If you're getting wheel spin in corners or over ramps, I'd suggest checking your tyres, or putting decent ones on the car.

chops018

How do I know if it's on?

Obviously you would want it on all the time, especially in winter.

challengemaster

chops018 wrote: »

How do I know if it's on?

Obviously you would want it on all the time, especially in winter.

It's always on unless you turn it off via that button, or there's an error with the system. Either way, if it's switched off you'll see a solid light on the dash.

If it kicks in at any point, you'll see the light flash a few times.

chops018

Sitec wrote: »

Honestly, would your owners manual or google not cover this query?

I wasn't getting any solid answers from google, and I was logged into Boards and isn't this what the forum is for?

challengemaster wrote: »

It's always on unless you turn it off via that button, or there's an error with the system. Either way, if it's switched off you'll see a solid light on the dash.

If it kicks in at any point, you'll see the light flash a few times.

Cheers, so to be clear, the light is always off and that means traction control is on. If the light comes on that means it's off, correct?

bmstuff

chops018 wrote: »

I wasn't getting any solid answers from google, and I was logged into Boards and isn't this what the forum is for?



Cheers, so to be clear, the light is always off and that means traction control is on. If the light comes on that means it's off, correct?

Yes Thats it.

chops018

bmstuff wrote: »

Yes Thats it.

Thanks.

Elephant Man from china

I knock mine off every now and again... Feels like a different car..

chops018

Elephant Man from china wrote: »

I knock mine off every now and again... Feels like a different car..

Really?

I don't think I would bother knocking mine off, especially if it helps with control on wet roads etc.

If you knock it off how do you get it back on?

Gumbo

Elephant Man from china wrote: »

I knock mine off every now and again... Feels like a different car..

I turn mine off when I need to make a U-Turn. 340bhp and 500 foot pounds of torque then makes it quite easy!!!

chops018 wrote: »

Really?

I don't think I would bother knocking mine off, especially if it helps with control on wet roads etc.

If you knock it off how do you get it back on?

Press the button again.

Quick press - partially off.
Hold down long press - fully off.
Press again - back on.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

I turn mine off occasionally for the same reason.
Pre LCI's are down on the post LCI 535's but still fun

chops018

Thanks all.

vicwatson

chops018 wrote: »

How do I know if it's on?

Obviously you would want it on all the time, especially in winter.

Should be a little yellow triangle in a circle under your speedometer lit up when your DSC is on.

Last time I drove with it on was the last snowfall we had.

Elephant Man from china

vicwatson wrote: »

Should be a little yellow triangle in a circle under your speedometer lit up when your DSC is on.

Last time I drove with it on was the last snowfall we had.

It's always on, on the newer bmws..

chops018

I'm confused now;

So if there is no light on, that means the traction control is on (DSC i.e. it is always on).

And if the light is off, then the DSC is off?

Elephant Man from china

chops018 wrote: »

I'm confused now;

So if there is no light on, that means the traction control is on (DSC i.e. it is always on).

And if the light is on, then the DSC is off?

What car have you got?

Bpmull

chops018 wrote: »

I'm confused now;

So if there is no light on, that means the traction control is on (DSC i.e. it is always on).

And if the light is on, then the DSC is off?

Yes that's right. Unless you touch the button or there is something wrong with it it stays on. If the light Is illuminated on the dash not flashing then the system is off.

chops018

Elephant Man from china wrote: »

What car have you got?

316 - year 2001, 1.9L.

Elephant Man from china

Agree with bpmull

chops018

That's grand.


Cheers for all the replies guys.

challengemaster

kceire wrote: »

Quick press - partially off.
Hold down long press - fully off.
Press again - back on.

I've heard this a number of times, never actually found any proof for it though. As far as I'm aware the only way to get it fully off is either pull the fuse, or if there's an issue (like the one I had, due to tracking, that turned off ABS/DSC and every other related driver aid :pac: )

As far as I know you can sit holding the button all day and it makes no difference than just quickly pressing it.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

challengemaster wrote: »

I've heard this a number of times, never actually found any proof for it though. As far as I'm aware the only way to get it fully off is either pull the fuse, or if there's an issue (like the one I had, due to tracking, that turned off ABS/DSC and every other related driver aid :pac: )

As far as I know you can sit holding the button all day and it makes no difference than just quickly pressing it.

In my e60 it is press and hold for it to disable completely
press quickly and DSC is disabled but DTC is enabled, press and hold and then all is disabled

Gumbo

challengemaster wrote: »

I've heard this a number of times, never actually found any proof for it though. As far as I'm aware the only way to get it fully off is either pull the fuse, or if there's an issue (like the one I had, due to tracking, that turned off ABS/DSC and every other related driver aid :pac: )

As far as I know you can sit holding the button all day and it makes no difference than just quickly pressing it.

On any of my BMW's, one short press brings up one warning light, but a long press brings up a totally different warning light.

When I depress mine it allows wheel spin and horizontal slip, ie slide.

challengemaster

kceire wrote: »

On any of my BMW's, one short press brings up one warning light, but a long press brings up a totally different warning light.

Any chance you'd take pics of the different lights? I'm doubtful :P And I've knocked it off enough times in the e46 to notice!

Gumbo

challengemaster wrote: »

Any chance you'd take pics of the different lights? I'm doubtful :P And I've knocked it off enough times in the e46 to notice!

E46 is a different system IIRC
But yeah, I'll do it tomorrow no probs.

Cerco

If you are driving on icy roads or in snow and rear wheels spin then turn it off. Once you get traction again and start moving turn it on again.

Gumbo

I believe this is the way it works on the newer BMWs including the 5-series (the 3-series has a similar display). Normally when you start the car, DTC (traction) and DSC (stability) are on. If you press the DTC button, "DTC" shows up on the dash display. This means you have switched off DSC, and reverted to DTC, which allows some slip in order to get moving in snow or sandy surfaces.

If you hold the DTC button for 4+ seconds, the DSC symbol is lit on the dash and both DTC and DSC aids are shut off. This is primarily for drivers (me included) who like to hang the car out at silly angles in the corners. It lets the car slide as much as desired without electronic intervention.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

kceire wrote: »

E46 is a different system IIRC
But yeah, I'll do it tomorrow no probs.

It's cold or I'd head out now haha

Voodoomelon

Some more info for the OP:

DuckSlice

challengemaster wrote: »

Any chance you'd take pics of the different lights? I'm doubtful :P And I've knocked it off enough times in the e46 to notice!

Iirc in the e46 you have to hold it for 10-15 seconds and the light turns a different colour. It's a while since I had mine. Or maybe another light comes on. I definitely remember some indication to it being fully off. It's more than just traction control. I'm pretty sure it controls all the brakes and monitors speeds of each wheel. I could be wrong tho.

vicwatson

What is ASC vs DSC ?

Gumbo

vicwatson wrote: »

What is ASC vs DSC ?

It's all spelled out in the post 2 replies above you, just look.

keith_d99

For me - it acts like a good indicator for ice/black ice