advantages to turning off the esc?

[aernan]

I've heard folks chatting about turning off the ESC in the ST. I have not noticed it getting in the way when I drive like the stability control in the Audi. Can anyone discus when it is triggered and how that effects performance/traction?

[Sponsor]

[Macky21]

When it's turned on it does many things. It will reduce wheel spin when accelerating, if the car begins to slide, it applies brakes to whichever wheel will help reduce the slide and when coming out of a slide, it limits the amount of power put to the drive wheels so you don't continue to slide.

In sport mode, which is when you hit the button once, it reduces all of those affects.

When you hold the button for 5 seconds, it turns completely off and none of those affects are applied.

Traction control/electronic stability control do many different things and I would suggest reading more into if you're interested.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electro...bility_control

[acbauza]

Think long and hard before doing this. As an in-car driving instructor I never advise students to turn off traction control or stability control. The manufacturer puts it in there for a reason, because at some point all of us "run out of talent".

Originally Posted by Macky21

When it's turned on it does many things. It will reduce wheel spin when accelerating, if the car begins to slide, it applies brakes to whichever wheel will help reduce the slide and when coming out of a slide, it limits the amount of power put to the drive wheels so you don't continue to slide.

In sport mode, which is when you hit the button once, it reduces all of those affects.

When you hold the button for 5 seconds, it turns completely off and none of those affects are applied.

Traction control/electronic stability control do many different things and I would suggest reading more into if you're interested.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electro...bility_control

Originally Posted by aernan

I've heard folks chatting about turning off the ESC in the ST. I have not noticed it getting in the way when I drive like the stability control in the Audi. Can anyone discus when it is triggered and how that effects performance/traction?

[05focusST91]

Dont turn it off unless you know what your doing^period.

[drsnutz]

Originally Posted by acbauza

Think long and hard before doing this. As an in-car driving instructor I never advise students to turn off traction control or stability control. The manufacturer puts it in there for a reason, because at some point all of us "run out of talent".

that's some great advice right there indeed acb.

[gonefhsn]

Unless you are running on a road course there really is no reason to turn it off.

[RonMaiden]

I'd hope anybody turning off the electronic nannies know what they're doing. The nannies on the STI do get in the way with hard driving but when the wife drives it I'm glad they are there. On the Focus I haven't really noticed them too much.

[aernan]

Thanks for all the advice. I personally believe the ESC is extremely well tuned in this car and it improves the performance the same way ABS does. I won't be turning mine off any time soon.

[spinadog]

I think Ford have done a superb job on the TC/ESC . Never really invades at all, just like the G35 6MT I used to have.

Recall TC/"ESC" on old Chevs and Fords, which basically meant 'turn off the power at the slightest wheel spin'. Designed to occur when doing a U-turn ahead of fast-approaching oncoming traffic...

[UnbridledCarnage]

i turned it completely off on my recent test drive of an ST, roads had a little "mist" on them and it turned the car into an unbearable monster