can't activate Launch Control to save my life.!

[TreDirtyFive]

I'm at 2000 miles and have tried using Launch Control on 10+ occasions. I can never get it to work. DCT people, tell me what I'm doing wrong...

1. Complete Stop, Left Foot on Brake.
2. Push the DTC button once.
3. Push the "Sport" Button.
4. Nudge the lever over to M1.
5. Step on Gas to get the Checker Flag sign...(which NEVER shows up)

Am I doing something wrong? Just can't get it to bite.

Thanks.

[perral1]

Originally Posted by TreDirtyFive

I'm at 2000 miles and have tried using Launch Control on 10+ occasions. I can never get it to work. DCT people, tell me what I'm doing wrong...

1. Complete Stop, Left Foot on Brake.
2. Push the DTC button once.
3. Push the "Sport" Button.
4. Nudge the lever over to M1.
5. Step on Gas to get the Checker Flag sign...(which NEVER shows up)

Am I doing something wrong? Just can't get it to bite.

Thanks.

The only thing I can think is that maybe you're trying to do it too early after starting the car? According to the manual you have to drive 6.2 miles before it'll let you use launch control.

You didn't specifically mention it, are you sure you're pressing the gas past the "resistance point"?

I haven't gotten to 1200mi yet in my car so I haven't had a chance to try it.

Also, Pretty sure you posted this in the wrong section

[MarkR171]

You don't have to "press the gas past the resistance point." Once you've driven enough to warm the car up, all you have to do is:

1. DCT button so the "DTC" icon shows up on dash
2. Sport Button
3. Brake with left foot
4. Lever in M1 (Not S1, make sure it's M1)
5. Right foot on gas will rev the engine and flag will come on dash
6. Release brake.

[perral1]

Originally Posted by MarkR171

You don't have to "press the gas past the resistance point." Once you've driven enough to warm the car up, all you have to do is:

1. DCT button so the "DTC" icon shows up on dash
2. Sport Button
3. Brake with left foot
4. Lever in M1 (Not S1, make sure it's M1)
5. Right foot on gas will rev the engine and flag will come on dash
6. Release brake.

As I said, I haven't yet been able to use it. I'm basing my information off the owner's manual - which does say (p.64):
"With your right foot, push the accelerator pedal past the resistance point. The acceleration speed is adjusted. A flag symbol appears in the instrument cluster."

[MarkR171]

Understood that, just clarifying

To be honest, I actually found that out by mistake during an autocross run. It was my 3rd run in the 135, I had Sport button on, DTC on and foot on brake waiting for the green flag. I guess I was a bit excited as I stepped on the gas without being completely off the brake.

Even though I was easing on the gas (tight turn ~15ft from the start) the engine RPMs raised, flag came on dash and launch control activated. Wasn't expecting that wheel spin!

[TreDirtyFive]

That's exactly what I've done...doesn't work still. Ugh.

[Sylon]

Do you have to wait for the checkered flag to come up BEFORE releasing the brake?


Also, the "press gas pedal past resistance", all that means is actually pressing the gas pedal. The "resistance" is when nothing is pressing on it.

Now for LC, wouldn't you have to hit a certain RPM for LC to activate? I know in most AWD cars the best launching RPM is around 4500 (typically lower than other drives to save the diff), but I think a RWD car is a little higher.

[Quick1 TO BE]

tooo much technology.. why cant people learn how to "properly" launch a manual ???? good luck pressing all those buttons... :P gotta love a 6MT

BTW all jokes aside i test drove a DCT 135 and fell in love.. lol :P

let us know how you like it, once u figure out how to use it..

Ash

[MarkR171]

Originally Posted by Sylon

Do you have to wait for the checkered flag to come up BEFORE releasing the brake?

Not necessarily, like I said in my 2nd post in this thread, I even managed to activate it by accident with the split second that both pedals were barely pressed.

Now for LC, wouldn't you have to hit a certain RPM for LC to activate? I know in most AWD cars the best launching RPM is around 4500 (typically lower than other drives to save the diff), but I think a RWD car is a little higher.

It's around 3500 iirc, I only used it once. And again, no, you don't have to be at a certain rpm. As long as DTC is on (1 short press, don't hold it in), Sport is on and foot is on the brake, LC is ready to go. Just touch the gas and let go off the brake.

Originally Posted by Quick1 TO BE

good luck pressing all those buttons... :P

DTC button = you're going to press that in a manual too. So, really it's just the Sport button that's an extra push, but that stays on most of the time when I drive anyway. Moving the lever to the left for M mode is like selecting first gear



OP: Are you sure you've driven enough miles before trying it? The manual says you need to drive 6.2 miles (to warm up the engine) before LC becomes available. Then again, like I said, I managed to activate it during an autocross event and the engine was only on from when the car was in grid to the start line 100ft away. It must measure the 6.2 miles over a certain amount of time whether its continuous or not.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by MarkR171

You don't have to "press the gas past the resistance point." Once you've driven enough to warm the car up, all you have to do is:

1. DCT button so the "DTC" icon shows up on dash
2. Sport Button
3. Brake with left foot
4. Lever in M1 (Not S1, make sure it's M1)
5. Right foot on gas will rev the engine and flag will come on dash
6. Release brake.

Does the engine rev to a certain rpm and hold until you release the brake?
If so, does it maintain a steady rpm at that point, or does it "stutter"?

[MarkR171]

I believe it maintained a steady RPM. I've only used launch control intentionally once, and only kept the revs up for 1-2 seconds before taking my foot off the brake. It will not rev past the programmed launch RPM nor will it bounce until you remove your foot from the brake. It will just rev to the set rpm from the factory and hold until you launch. Easy mode

It did feel really good though, some wheelspin (road next to a beach, some sand on the road could be the cause) but definitely harder pull than launching from 1st from idle. You could hear the turbos spool up right away and stay spinning through the gears. Didn't notice any loss of boost or power during shifts and didn't lose traction from 1st to 2nd.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by MarkR171

I believe it maintained a steady RPM. I've only used launch control intentionally once, and only kept the revs up for 1-2 seconds before taking my foot off the brake. It will not rev past the programmed launch RPM nor will it bounce until you remove your foot from the brake. It will just rev to the set rpm from the factory and hold until you launch. Easy mode

It did feel really good though, some wheelspin (road next to a beach, some sand on the road could be the cause) but definitely harder pull than launching from 1st from idle. You could hear the turbos spool up right away and stay spinning through the gears. Didn't notice any loss of boost or power during shifts and didn't lose traction from 1st to 2nd.

Nice.

I remember in the old days, early 90's, many turbo 1/4 mile guys would use "stutter" boxes, auto's and manuals.
A cruder form of launch control, but effective.
I just used my foot, but the boxes were much more consistent.

[tonmonde]

Up, down, left, right, A, B, Start lol

[IMASINNER]

i think the problem is that you are just pressing the DTC button once. I believe you have to hold it down. 4 secs or something like that.

[MarkR171]

Originally Posted by IMASINNER

i think the problem is that you are just pressing the DTC button once. I believe you have to hold it down. 4 secs or something like that.

Nope. You have to press it once to activate "DTC" or "Dynamic" Traction Control. Holding it down for 4 seconds turns traction control completely off.

[parky1215]

I am experiencing same problem as OP.
My car has 1700 miles, I tried to do launch control after driving on local/freeway for about 13 miles.
I was driving with DTC on, sport button on with manual shifting mode, so only thing I had to do was to stop, foot on brake, then right foot on gas pedal.
However, I never see that checkered flag come up and I can feel that car is just torque braking instead of being in launch control mode.

could there be something wrong with software or transmission?

[JeremyN55]

Did you ever figure out your launch control? Im having the same problem as you! I tried everything and still nothing.

[Golden3ye]

it is odd so many people have this issue

[Diver]

I tried it this evening and saw the checkered flag. Unfortunately, I was in a congested area and could not make a run. What I think people who are having trouble are missing is after pressing all the right buttons, the driver has to slap the throttle pedal to the floorboards hard. If you just give it a gentle push, you will not go into the launch control mode.

[MJ80.]

Bump same issue, following everything perfectly, car is warmed up. No flag.

[Dylanize]

Originally Posted by MJ80.

Bump same issue, following everything perfectly, car is warmed up. No flag.

Unless you have a 335is then you do not have a DCT and do not have launch control.

[Dat Aus]

Originally Posted by Dylanize

Unless you have a 335is then you do not have a DCT and do not have launch control.

335is doesn't exist in Australian market. All 335s from some point in 2011 have DCT unless they are 6MT.