noob traction control question

UK forum for general and technical discussion about the Z3 roadster
Post Reply
thurnscoeboy
Joined: Thu 27 Oct, 2011 19:03
Posts: 20

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: rotherham

noob traction control question

Post by thurnscoeboy »

This is gonna sound incredibly dumb but......
When is the traction control on, with light on or light off ?
I warned you , I had a moment today , ok I nearly side swiped another car
I had the light flicking on and off whilst gunning it on a wet roundabout so I turned the switch on , light on , and convinced myself it was more stable , then I had the moment and I'm not convinced its working at all now
HELP !
Cheers Dave
User avatar
Adam
Joined: Sat 21 Jul, 2007 18:43
Posts: 337

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Newport
Contact:

Post by Adam »

With the light off on the dash it is activated.

When it flashes it is cutting in and traction control is interrupting the throttle.

When permanantly lit it is deactivated.

I personally find the car has "better feel" when deactivated. I find the traction control can be a little unbalancing. It is all dependant on how heavy your right foot is, your tyres and the conditions though.
User avatar
GazHyde
Joined: Fri 26 Feb, 2010 21:27
Posts: 1347

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Royal Wootton Bassett

Post by GazHyde »

Traction control is on by default, so you have to turn it off manually.

When it's switched off the light illuminates in the instruments.

When it's flickering it's warning you it's working. Sounds like you were pushing the car a little bit harder than the conditions would dictate sensible :D
thurnscoeboy
Joined: Thu 27 Oct, 2011 19:03
Posts: 20

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: rotherham

Post by thurnscoeboy »

Ah ha cheers guys , yes I am a bit cacky handed at the controls , that's why I thought that it wasn't working with the light flashing , as it was still stepping a bit , but it was f@ckin scary today with light on . So light off it is from now on . Will light on next may when its dry , I'm sure it does feel better like that but I intend to use it year round , well I don't have any other option to be honest.
Thanks
User avatar
Robert T
Site Admin
Joined: Mon 12 Jun, 2006 10:35
Posts: 10170

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Cheshire

Post by Robert T »

How much tread is there on your rear tyres? Above 3mm and I never see the traction control light come on on mine (except in the snow), below 3mm and it comes on at the slightest turn in the wet. Unless you like a lairy rear, new tyres may be in order.

As said, it is a warning light that tells you that either the traction control is doing its stuff, or if permanently on, that the system is disabled. If you turn it off, it will turn itself back on again next time you start the car.

Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
Image
thurnscoeboy
Joined: Thu 27 Oct, 2011 19:03
Posts: 20

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: rotherham

Post by thurnscoeboy »

That's interesting , the tyres have decent tread but are a bit 'no brand'
So that coupled with my ah em enthusiasm might explain it .
I like the rear end action ,scuse me , bit its not convenient in rush hour traffic
I have the rears at 2.2 bar would more or less pressure help?
Thanks guys
User avatar
GazHyde
Joined: Fri 26 Feb, 2010 21:27
Posts: 1347

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Royal Wootton Bassett

Post by GazHyde »

You really need good tyres on the rear.

Mine feels nice and planted even on wet roads with Falken 452's on the rear. I really have drop the clutch to make the rears spin in the dry. Only ever got really caught out by diesel on a roundabout by a local petrol station.

Getting the tail out can be fun (although I'm not a big fan of it), but I would prefer to be in charge of when that happens rather than the tyres.

I run 32psi all round on my 18's (not sure what that is in bar :oops:)
User avatar
Hard Top
Joined: Sun 17 Jan, 2010 23:16
Posts: 1239

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Netherlands

Post by Hard Top »

GazHyde wrote:I run 32psi all round on my 18's (not sure what that is in bar :oops:)
32 psi = 2.90 bar
HT

Image

Titan's apprentice. :D
Titan wrote:Occupations ?
Official Devil's Advocate :devil:
Leg Puller
Micky Taker
http://www.lde.nu/index.htm
pedro20001
Joined: Sat 29 Jan, 2011 20:34
Posts: 361

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: tamworth

Post by pedro20001 »

32 psi = 2.2 bar ! :)
Bill-
Joined: Sat 21 May, 2011 10:57
Posts: 305

  blank.gif
Location: Brands hatch

Post by Bill- »

2.9 bar is 42 psi :shock:
User avatar
Hard Top
Joined: Sun 17 Jan, 2010 23:16
Posts: 1239

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Netherlands

Post by Hard Top »

Yep, pedro20001 and Bill-, you are correct.
My post is a perfect example of how the grey matter works after a Friday night pub crawl. :oops:
HT

Image

Titan's apprentice. :D
Titan wrote:Occupations ?
Official Devil's Advocate :devil:
Leg Puller
Micky Taker
http://www.lde.nu/index.htm
User avatar
GazHyde
Joined: Fri 26 Feb, 2010 21:27
Posts: 1347

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Royal Wootton Bassett

Post by GazHyde »

Hard Top wrote:My post is a perfect example of how the grey matter works after a Friday night pub crawl. :oops:
Too much "Bar" then? :D
User avatar
Hard Top
Joined: Sun 17 Jan, 2010 23:16
Posts: 1239

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Netherlands

Post by Hard Top »

Image

Yep, :oops:
HT

Image

Titan's apprentice. :D
Titan wrote:Occupations ?
Official Devil's Advocate :devil:
Leg Puller
Micky Taker
http://www.lde.nu/index.htm
Post Reply