Traction Control at 70mph?

las297 · 04-13-2011, 03:38 PM

Hi everyone - just picked up my '09 330d M Sport a couple of weeks ago and am looking for a bit of advice on traction control.

At low to moderate speeds I can accelerate pretty hard with no loss of traction (as I'd expect) but occasionally at m-way speed (60-80mph) on kick-down the traction control light flashes and the power is cut. The same thing has happened under only light acceleration (e.g. when resuming a cruise controlled speed). This has all been in dry conditions.

I know that the the N57 engine is very torquey but I wouldn't expect the car to break traction at these speeds and in a straight line, particularly under light throttle and in the dry.

Have any other 330d owners experienced this? Is it normal? If not, what could be the cause?

I've provisionally got the car booked in for investigation on Friday but I don't want to schlep over to the dealers if there's nothing wrong so any tips before then would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

toxicnerve · 04-13-2011, 03:40 PM

I've had it happen in my car and it's usually caused by going over a bump/ripple in the road.

I've actually had the car self-cancel cruise control because of a traction control activation...

sheps · 04-13-2011, 03:41 PM

If you're running on runflats (especially 19's) and the road is even slightly uneven then I wouldn't be surprised, my (in my opinion, underpowered) 325i would
Light the traction control light up and the common factor was throttle on uneven road surface, causing the wheels to skip rathe than break traction by means of overcoming grip through acceleration.

dxb335d · 04-13-2011, 03:47 PM

Traction will of course break. Many reasons for this to happen. On a dead straight road, in summer with new tyres there is no real reason to spin up. But different roads, and there condition, the amount of throttle the curvature of the road including vertical etc can have an effect on a car OBVIOUSLY. How decent are the tyres?

Ive had Traction break and I spun the rear wheels at 115mph with everything disabled. Back end kicked out a little, was fun!

Dr Dave · 04-13-2011, 04:33 PM

I concur.....nothing wrong, sounds normal.

Jon D · 04-13-2011, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by las297

At low to moderate speeds I can accelerate pretty hard with no loss of traction (as I'd expect) but occasionally at m-way speed (60-80mph) on kick-down the traction control light flashes and the power is cut. The same thing has happened under only light acceleration (e.g. when resuming a cruise controlled speed). This has all been in dry conditions.

I know that the the N57 engine is very torquey but I wouldn't expect the car to break traction at these speeds and in a straight line, particularly under light throttle and in the dry.

This doesn't sound normal to me. On my old '08 E92 330d the traction control only ever cut in at very low speed with full throttle applied, particularly on standing starts around a corner in wet conditions - never in the circumstances you describe.

las297 · 04-13-2011, 05:32 PM

Cheers for the replies.

I appreciate that skipping across an uneven surface can cause the TC to trigger but this is more like a continuous activation of the TC for as long as I'm applying the throttle - take foot off the pedal and then reply and it starts back up again.

The fact that the power is cut for the same duration seems to suggest to me that the TC thinks the wheels are spinning (whether they are or not).

From what some of you say, maybe there's nothing to worry about and it was just a few incidences of poor road conditions.

BTW - I'm running on 18's with Pilot Sport runflats, good amount of tread (7mm). Out of interest, would you recommend Bridgestone RE050's for the 330d? Found them to be good on my 120d.

las297 · 04-13-2011, 05:33 PM

*reapply

BanziBarn · 04-13-2011, 05:35 PM

Can you recreate this? If you can make the TC flash at that speed repeatedly then I'd say you have a problem.

My 330 would cut the power at that speed when accelerating with a combination of lane change.

I knew this was wrong.

Then my USB and bluetooth broke. The dealer fixed it and put a newer version of software on the car and now the TC problem is gone. I can now use full power at high speeds and there is no restriction.

Dr Dave · 04-14-2011, 12:10 AM

In answer to your tyre question.....you are already running the best RFT on your car.....you'll gain nothing going to a Bridgestone tyre infact it'd be a backward step!

dxb335d · 04-14-2011, 01:01 AM

Disable DSC & TC completely and try nailing it at the same point and see if you really
do lose traction

kaishang · 04-14-2011, 02:39 AM

> this is more like a continuous activation of the TC for as long as I'm applying the throttle - take foot off the pedal and then reply and it starts back up again.

Your TC/DSC is busted.

toxicnerve · 04-14-2011, 02:52 AM

Or his tyres are FUBAR???

I would see if you can recreate the issue on a stretch of known "good" road. For all you know the places that you've experienced this have had oil/diesel/other residue on the road.

kaishang · 04-14-2011, 02:55 AM

Even if the tyres have zero tread left, in dry conditions they should still have plenty of traction. Although I would check the tyres are inflated and inflated to the same pressure.

MEGA · 04-14-2011, 03:14 AM

Sounds like DSC unit has gone, or else a crap indy did the brake fluid and didn't put the car in bleed mode first which has confused things.

Former = expensive. Latter = pita but not too costly.

jrah · 04-14-2011, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by las297

Hi everyone - just picked up my '09 330d M Sport a couple of weeks ago and am looking for a bit of advice on traction control.

At low to moderate speeds I can accelerate pretty hard with no loss of traction (as I'd expect) but occasionally at m-way speed (60-80mph) on kick-down the traction control light flashes and the power is cut. The same thing has happened under only light acceleration (e.g. when resuming a cruise controlled speed). This has all been in dry conditions.

I know that the the N57 engine is very torquey but I wouldn't expect the car to break traction at these speeds and in a straight line, particularly under light throttle and in the dry.

Have any other 330d owners experienced this? Is it normal? If not, what could be the cause?

I've provisionally got the car booked in for investigation on Friday but I don't want to schlep over to the dealers if there's nothing wrong so any tips before then would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

I experienced this problem before on my 325d, however this was on an uneven dual carriageway in the winter on cold tyres in 4th gear.

So it can happen but shouldn't be doing on a dry road

Theador · 07-15-2016, 08:24 AM

This happened to me for the first time today. I flashed to MHD stage 1 map from a stage 2 map. That's about the only thing that's changed. I have no idea how the traction system works. I have been wondering recently if I'm getting a bit of clutch slip, and could this be something to do with it?

bishbosh · 07-15-2016, 09:11 AM

Are your rear wheels aligned correctly? Worth checking as if the wheels are misaligned it will be easier to lose traction.

Theador · 07-15-2016, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bishbosh

Are your rear wheels aligned correctly? Worth checking as if the wheels are misaligned it will be easier to lose traction.

Aah good point, I had some Eibach springs put in last week.

BanziBarn · 07-15-2016, 09:47 AM

The issue I had was 100% solved by a software update. The car no longer holds back at motorway speeds.

bishbosh · 07-15-2016, 12:05 PM

When I fitted my lowered shocks and springs last year the car handled like a stubborn mule until I got it aligned.

Len_Beach · 07-15-2016, 01:11 PM

I have this in my 330d LCI when I have my winters on.

If I have cruise set then accelerate hard; the cruise will cancel and it event logs a fault code.

I had the software updated 18 months ago so that's not the issue.

I don't get anything of the sort with my PSS'

04-13-2011, 03:38 PM	#1
las297 Registered 3 Rep 3 Posts Drives: '09 330d M Sport saloon Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	Traction Control at 70mph? Hi everyone - just picked up my '09 330d M Sport a couple of weeks ago and am looking for a bit of advice on traction control. At low to moderate speeds I can accelerate pretty hard with no loss of traction (as I'd expect) but occasionally at m-way speed (60-80mph) on kick-down the traction control light flashes and the power is cut. The same thing has happened under only light acceleration (e.g. when resuming a cruise controlled speed). This has all been in dry conditions. I know that the the N57 engine is very torquey but I wouldn't expect the car to break traction at these speeds and in a straight line, particularly under light throttle and in the dry. Have any other 330d owners experienced this? Is it normal? If not, what could be the cause? I've provisionally got the car booked in for investigation on Friday but I don't want to schlep over to the dealers if there's nothing wrong so any tips before then would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
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04-13-2011, 03:40 PM	#2
toxicnerve Colonel 97 Rep 2,834 Posts Drives: E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	I've had it happen in my car and it's usually caused by going over a bump/ripple in the road. I've actually had the car self-cancel cruise control because of a traction control activation...
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04-13-2011, 03:41 PM	#3
sheps Colonel 73 Rep 2,396 Posts Drives: C63 AMG Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cambs, UK iTrader: (2)	If you're running on runflats (especially 19's) and the road is even slightly uneven then I wouldn't be surprised, my (in my opinion, underpowered) 325i would Light the traction control light up and the common factor was throttle on uneven road surface, causing the wheels to skip rathe than break traction by means of overcoming grip through acceleration. __________________ Gone but not forgotten: 325i M Sport (E92), Black Sapphire, Coral Red Dakota, 19" 225's, Seat Heating, 6FL and de-badge Replaced by 6.2 litres of AMG powered C class.
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04-13-2011, 03:47 PM	#4
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 945 Rep 29,345 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	Traction will of course break. Many reasons for this to happen. On a dead straight road, in summer with new tyres there is no real reason to spin up. But different roads, and there condition, the amount of throttle the curvature of the road including vertical etc can have an effect on a car OBVIOUSLY. How decent are the tyres? Ive had Traction break and I spun the rear wheels at 115mph with everything disabled. Back end kicked out a little, was fun! __________________ 997.2 GT3
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04-13-2011, 04:33 PM	#5
Dr Dave Zummerzet Zyder Drinker! 111 Rep 5,541 Posts Drives: '06 330D Le Mans Blue Join Date: May 2009 Location: Somerset iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 330d M Sport [0.00]	Agree.... I concur.....nothing wrong, sounds normal. __________________
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04-13-2011, 05:32 PM	#7
las297 Registered 3 Rep 3 Posts Drives: '09 330d M Sport saloon Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	Cheers for the replies. I appreciate that skipping across an uneven surface can cause the TC to trigger but this is more like a continuous activation of the TC for as long as I'm applying the throttle - take foot off the pedal and then reply and it starts back up again. The fact that the power is cut for the same duration seems to suggest to me that the TC thinks the wheels are spinning (whether they are or not). From what some of you say, maybe there's nothing to worry about and it was just a few incidences of poor road conditions. BTW - I'm running on 18's with Pilot Sport runflats, good amount of tread (7mm). Out of interest, would you recommend Bridgestone RE050's for the 330d? Found them to be good on my 120d.
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04-13-2011, 05:33 PM	#8
las297 Registered 3 Rep 3 Posts Drives: '09 330d M Sport saloon Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	*reapply
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04-13-2011, 05:35 PM	#9
BanziBarn Lieutenant Colonel 106 Rep 1,800 Posts Drives: BMW 330D E90 LCI Msport Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Can you recreate this? If you can make the TC flash at that speed repeatedly then I'd say you have a problem. My 330 would cut the power at that speed when accelerating with a combination of lane change. I knew this was wrong. Then my USB and bluetooth broke. The dealer fixed it and put a newer version of software on the car and now the TC problem is gone. I can now use full power at high speeds and there is no restriction. __________________ Black 330d E90 LCI M Sport Saloon Auto. Privacy Glass, Cream Leather, 6FL, I-Drive/Nav/Bluetooth, Alpine hifi upgrade.
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04-14-2011, 12:10 AM	#10
Dr Dave Zummerzet Zyder Drinker! 111 Rep 5,541 Posts Drives: '06 330D Le Mans Blue Join Date: May 2009 Location: Somerset iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 330d M Sport [0.00]	Tyres In answer to your tyre question.....you are already running the best RFT on your car.....you'll gain nothing going to a Bridgestone tyre infact it'd be a backward step! __________________
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04-14-2011, 01:01 AM	#11
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 945 Rep 29,345 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	Disable DSC & TC completely and try nailing it at the same point and see if you really do lose traction __________________ 997.2 GT3
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04-14-2011, 02:39 AM	#12
kaishang Colonel 54 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 330d Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: London iTrader: (0)	> this is more like a continuous activation of the TC for as long as I'm applying the throttle - take foot off the pedal and then reply and it starts back up again. Your TC/DSC is busted.
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04-14-2011, 02:52 AM	#13
toxicnerve Colonel 97 Rep 2,834 Posts Drives: E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Or his tyres are FUBAR??? I would see if you can recreate the issue on a stretch of known "good" road. For all you know the places that you've experienced this have had oil/diesel/other residue on the road.
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04-14-2011, 02:55 AM	#14
kaishang Colonel 54 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 330d Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Even if the tyres have zero tread left, in dry conditions they should still have plenty of traction. Although I would check the tyres are inflated and inflated to the same pressure.
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04-14-2011, 03:14 AM	#15
MEGA Dieseasal 204 Rep 6,881 Posts Drives: LCI E92 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Harrow, London iTrader: (2)	Sounds like DSC unit has gone, or else a crap indy did the brake fluid and didn't put the car in bleed mode first which has confused things. Former = expensive. Latter = pita but not too costly. __________________ Previously: 2003 Peugeot 206 1.6 8v \| 2006 E90 320d M-Sport, 19" BBS CH, Full Ice-cold JL audio install, August 2010 Total BMW 6 page feature car. \| 2003 Nissan 350Z GT Coupe 286BHP Now:2010 E92 LCI 335d M-Sport
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07-15-2016, 08:24 AM	#17
Theador Lieutenant 83 Rep 369 Posts Drives: BMW E91 M Sport 335i Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Henley on Thames iTrader: (0)	This happened to me for the first time today. I flashed to MHD stage 1 map from a stage 2 map. That's about the only thing that's changed. I have no idea how the traction system works. I have been wondering recently if I'm getting a bit of clutch slip, and could this be something to do with it? __________________ e91 335i MSPort 6MT \| MHD Stage 2 +FMIC v7.1 \| VRSF Catless DPs \| Hartge ARBs \| Quaife LSD \| Eibach Springs \| 313 Alloys \| VRSF 7" Intercooler and Ingen Intake
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07-15-2016, 09:11 AM	#18
bishbosh Lieutenant Colonel 838 Rep 1,991 Posts Drives: F30 335d Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Sheffield iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 BMW 335d [0.00]	Are your rear wheels aligned correctly? Worth checking as if the wheels are misaligned it will be easier to lose traction. __________________ if I've helped - an Appreciate would be, er, very appreciated!
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07-15-2016, 09:47 AM	#20
BanziBarn Lieutenant Colonel 106 Rep 1,800 Posts Drives: BMW 330D E90 LCI Msport Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: London iTrader: (0)	The issue I had was 100% solved by a software update. The car no longer holds back at motorway speeds.
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07-15-2016, 12:05 PM	#21
bishbosh Lieutenant Colonel 838 Rep 1,991 Posts Drives: F30 335d Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Sheffield iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 BMW 335d [0.00]	When I fitted my lowered shocks and springs last year the car handled like a stubborn mule until I got it aligned.
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07-15-2016, 01:11 PM	#22
Len_Beach Major 186 Rep 1,247 Posts Drives: 435d Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (1)	I have this in my 330d LCI when I have my winters on. If I have cruise set then accelerate hard; the cruise will cancel and it event logs a fault code. I had the software updated 18 months ago so that's not the issue. I don't get anything of the sort with my PSS'
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