DTC

[new128]

Don't completely understand DTC. What does it actually do when activated?

My CA said to keep it "activated" all the time (to him, meaning the indicator is OFF). The manual seems to say that DTC is deactivated when the indicator is OFF. Which is correct?

From the description in the manual, I would think you would only want it "activated" in certain conditions, which would mean that the indicator is normally OFF, according to the manual. Having an indicator normally OFF would be what I would expect.

Please explain indicator action, what DTC actually does, and when DTC should be activated/deactivated.

(The manual also seems to indicate that DSC operates opposite - when the indicator is OFF, DSC is activated. Which again would seem like the normal operation to me - DSC should be activated all the time.)

[ATR1]

You have three modes.

Full DSC (default) - the computer will apply brakes at any/all 4 wheels, and regulate the engine fuel (eg shut off the engine) to do what it can to keep the car stable. It is very sensitive to wheel slippage.

Reduced DSC - or DTC (by pressing the button) - this mode reduces the computer control by recognizing that the car is in slippery driving conditions. The computer allows for some wheel slippage before engaging.

TIM YOYO (Press the button for 5 seconds). Only the E-Diff is on, which will apply the brake on the inside (slipping) wheel.

[Guildenstern]

OK so no lights, you just started the car, You are in:
DSC:(Dynamic Stability Control) - The vehicle will agressivly regulate wheel spin and side slipping. You really need to push past the limits of the tire for DSC to make your car unrecoverable. It uses throttle control, and individual wheel brakeing to keep the car pointed in the direction the wheel is pointin, and keep your back end from swapping places with your front end.

Push the DTC button, and you get an amber "DTC" on your dash, NOW you are in:
DTC:(Dynamic Traction Control) - The vehicle will now allow some wheel spin and allow for mild slip angles. DTC is sort of a half way off setting, you still get some protection form the rear end sliding out, and you can get a bit more wheel spin if you need to paddlewheel your way up a driveway or something, DTC is also great to get more performance out of the car, as momentary wheel spin won't cut power to the wheels. Good for bumpy intersections and such. You can also think of this as "Race" traction control, it's still there to help, but it's not upfront, and you are more likely to get it beyond the "Laws of Physics" threshold where the system can do nothing for you and it's all up to Newton. (Basicaly no tire input is going to overcome your inertia)

Now, Hold down the DTC button for more than 3 seconds and you just Turned everything off.

You'll see the warning triangle with the counter clockwise arrow on the dash, and in the info display. (it's the same indicator that flashes when DSC or DTC is saveing your bacon.)

Here we call that TIMYOYO - That's It Mutha&*&% You're On Your Own! - No stability or traction control at all, None, you can burn your tires clean off and do doughnuts till you puke. But you also can run out of talent quite easily. It's fun!

The car always defaults to DSC when it turns on, and DTC or TIMYOYO will allways be accompanied with an amber indicatior on the dash.

[EDIT: I type too slow!]

[NFIDDY5]

Too bad there isn't a tune that allows you to set it permanently to your liking. I know on my E46 M3, I had it set to always have DTC and Sport Mode always on. And awesome about the TIMYOYO. Never even knew about this. Thanks.

[Lester]

Originally Posted by NFIDDY5

Too bad there isn't a tune that allows you to set it permanently to your liking. I know on my E46 M3, I had it set to always have DTC and Sport Mode always on. And awesome about the TIMYOYO. Never even knew about this. Thanks.

Here you are

[bmwmike335]

^ I Want Oneee!!!!!

[NFIDDY5]

Originally Posted by Lester

Here you are

EFFING CLASSIC!

[new128]

Great explanation.
Sounds like for my normal driving, the default all-lights-out is the way to go. This sounds like one of those electronic features that might rank up there with ABS. (You might not think you need it, and can always turn it off, but sounds like it can't hurt.)