[Sal Collaziano]

Since I got my 335i, whether from a roll or off the line, I turn off DTC entirely (by holding it for 3 seconds or so). What is the disadvantage to doing this? As I'm reading, I see people state that you shouldn't turn it off completely.. Would somebody mind explaining this to me?

[I335]

I believe the only reason is safety. If you turn it off completely you're completely on your own and particularly in slippery conditions, powerful rear wheel drive cars like ours can get out of control in a hurry. Other than that, I don't believe there are any detrimental effects to the car. In fact, turning it off can enhance the life of your rear brakes as that is one of the ways the system helps keep your car in control.

[Captain Oblivious]

Just pressing it once to turn it off is meant for driving in light snow or on ice when you need to spin the wheels but you still want stability control in case you start getting sideways. Turning it off completely is a feature for driving on the track - it turns off all stability and traction assists which means you're completely on your own. Something you want in the controlled conditions of a track, but don't really want on the street. Like I335 said, these cars can get out of control in a hurry.

[JhnR]

OFF = new tires

[RBC]

Originally Posted by JhnR

OFF = new tires

If you're lucky... else, OFF = new car

[JhnR]

spins so quick like swooshh

[Watwood]

Only disadvantage is you're the only one in control, some call that an advantage. Seems like cruise control bitches if you try to turn it on whilst in this mode.

[fdsasdasdf]

Originally Posted by Sal Collaziano

Since I got my 335i, whether from a roll or off the line, I turn off DTC entirely (by holding it for 3 seconds or so). What is the disadvantage to doing this? As I'm reading, I see people state that you shouldn't turn it off completely.. Would somebody mind explaining this to me?

The disadvantage is the car behaves like a car without stability control.

That is, if you hydroplane, or make an abrupt turn that causes you to overcorrect and start sliding, you may have a loss of directional control (unless you are an extremely skilled driver and you know instinctively what to do to fix that situation). It'll decrease your chances of crashing by ~20%.

That's why I say keep DSC on during everyday driving (especially rain/snow). If you want to have a little bit of fun, hit the DTC button once so you have more directional control. For example, if you are at a drag strip, since you are going only straight, it would be a good idea to just hit DTC once in case something goes wrong and you start to lose control. If you're tracking it, hold the DTC button for 3 seconds so you have no slowdowns from DSC intervening in the twisties

[Sal Collaziano]

Thanks, guys. I'll just hit the button once from now on.. There's no reason for me to go any further than that..

[WWONG]

DSC probably can get you out of trouble in a hurry, but you have to realize more than half of the cars (some faster) in the streets drive around without any form of stability control, so it isn't as scary as you guys are trying to make it sound.

[Kroy]

biggest disadvantage for me is losing cruise control

[A4rings]

i almost always turn tracton and DTC off ass soon as i decide i want to drive aggresively. the car is much more predictable and doesn't jerk around as much.... of course only do this if you are confident in your driving skills

[JhnR]

its one of those let me burn my rubber thing...not scary but idiotic if un handled properly

[e93WhiteonRed]

Originally Posted by WWONG

DSC probably can get you out of trouble in a hurry, but you have to realize more than half of the cars (some faster) in the streets drive around without any form of stability control, so it isn't as scary as you guys are trying to make it sound.

This is true - but keep in mind that almost all cars at our power level and above have some sort of limited slip differential - Eaton, Auburn, whatever - which makes them a TON more predictible when you lose traction - HUGE mistake on BMW's part if you ask me.

Have any of you lost traction at high speed on a straight away and felt your car jet to one side... thats because one wheel is slipping and the other wheel is pushing you into the wall....

[Watwood]

Originally Posted by e93WhiteonRed

This is true - but keep in mind that almost all cars at our power level and above have some sort of limited slip differential - Eaton, Auburn, whatever - which makes them a TON more predictible when you lose traction - HUGE mistake on BMW's part if you ask me.

Have any of you lost traction at high speed on a straight away and felt your car jet to one side... thats because one wheel is slipping and the other wheel is pushing you into the wall....

So these cars are just open diffs? I knew she slid on out quickly in 2nd when I was acting a fool the other day with a buddy in the car. I just corrected and it came back on line though.

[dlbrooks18]

I always drive with DTC completely off, except in the rain.. I don't want the car's computer slowing me down and as stated above I'm sure this lengthens the life of your rear brakes..

[carve]

If you don't know what it does, don't do it. Never turn it off completely anywhere but a track. If you're on a public road and driving so hard DTC is kicking in, YOU'RE GOING TOO FAST. DSC is a little overaggressive. It's fine for daily driving, but occasionally intrusive when you want to have some fun.

Most cars on the road don't have traction control, but they also don't have the power of a 335i, and aren't as safe as a 335i- safety contributed to by DSC & DTC. There is no reason to turn these all off on public roads.

[Outlaw 06]

Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) maximizes stability and/or traction by monitoring wheel rotation, steering inputs, lateral forces, yaw, etc., and correcting for oversteer or understeer by using a combination of the vehicle’s Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC). DSC is the normal mode of operation when the car is started (and no dash warning symbol is displayed).

Briefly pressing and releasing the DSC button turns on DTC (with limited DSC). DTC is a sub-function of the DSC system. DTC has two major functions: to regulate traction and to enable spirited driving (some oversteer) while providing active stability control. DTC basically monitors and corrects for straight-line wheel slip.

Holding the DSC button for 3 seconds completely turns off DSC and DTC.

[Bavarian E92]

Originally Posted by Sal Collaziano

Thanks, guys. I'll just hit the button once from now on.. There's no reason for me to go any further than that..

....

[Kolyan2k]

I remember I turned my dtc off for the first time in rain on my m3. I left room for error on the road and made sure no cars around.....I keep it on after that. The car did crazy 360.

On dry m3 was stable with dtc off, probably not the case with 335i.

[Edward]

I don't see the point in driving with that button pushed in any form unless you are trying to launch...which shouldn't be an everyday situation anyways. It does suck pretty bad when you get slippage and it kicks in...completely messes up the boost you built up.

[eunos33]

Is this normal behavior? I tried spinning the wheels with DTC Off and it feels like the rear wheels jump (like skipping rocks on water) Instead of just spinning the wheels and getting tire smoke.