Disabling ESP?

[nick2ny]

Any word on whether or not it is possible to disable the ESP on 451s? I had asked the the dealer about this, and they said no, but I imagine it is possible by removing a fuse (maybe ABS?), or otherwise tricking the car with the handbrake slightly on or something.

Does anyone have more info on doing this?

[spdickey]

Dave, the US smart President was asked the same question by the first USA delivery guy. Dave had asked his engineers if that could happen. They said no, just too much of a safety concern to allow consumers to do that.

[SmartAzz]

That is really too bad, I find there are definitely circumstances where disabling the ESP and the way it causes traction loss under some conditions is the safer thing to do. Every driver should have the option to turn it off as needed.

[jwight]

Lot of guys on Corvette forums thought the same thing until they put their car in the ditch. Have at it but I'm sure it would instantly void the warranty if someone disables ESP and the car is damaged because of it. Just my .02.

[Karl Roth]

as much as I would love to do doghnuts in the snow a weelbase this short would get to be a handful real fast. My insurance is bad enough without a bunch of these getting totalled. Oh dear, really becoming an old wanker
karl

[SmartAzz]

Originally Posted by jwight

Lot of guys on Corvette forums thought the same thing until they put their car in the ditch. Have at it but I'm sure it would instantly void the warranty if someone disables ESP and the car is damaged because of it. Just my .02.

Welp, just because some people have no common sense or good judgment on how to use something doesn't make it a bad idea for everyone. Having had several cars with varying degrees of horsepower and ESP I know there are instances that the traction afforded by turning the ESP off is beneficial and safer then having the the power cut by the computer.

For example, there are many streets on inclines here with stop signs or lights and the ESP on many cars will cut the power as soon as you try to go no matter how gentle you are, especially if you are turning or the street is damp. It can make merging rather dangerous depending on how severe the ESP is, turning it off can be the only way to safely launch allowing the bit of wheel spin that will naturally happen without the ESP cutting power. Insofar I've only found Porsche ESP to be smart enough not to cut power and cause interference in these kind of circumstances (and their ESP has different settings).

So, bottom line, unless the Smart ESP is advanced enough and doesn't gut the power at the first loss of tire traction in every instance then the driver should be able to disable it as needed since there will be cases that the sudden loss of power could be dangerous. Just my .02

[jwight]

Are we discussing the ESP or traction control? Usually two separate things on most cars. Not sure if smart combines them (not smart!) but if so, you/we are stuck. This is another subject full of lots of opinions and not a lot of data, not to mention driver, car and circumstances all being variables. I'm outta here!

[bmx43]

Originally Posted by SmartAzz

For example, there are many streets on inclines here with stop signs or lights and the ESP on many cars will cut the power as soon as you try to go no matter how gentle you are, especially if you are turning or the street is damp. It can make merging rather dangerous depending on how severe the ESP is, turning it off can be the only way to safely launch allowing the bit of wheel spin that will naturally happen without the ESP cutting power.

have to agree with this statement. i've had it in several cars and find it to be dangerous in certain situations such as those above.

also, no car that i have owned has both ESP and Traction Control separately. they are always combined. however, i don't buy American cars so maybe they are different in those.

exerpt from definition of ESP:

ESC may also incorporate traction control, which senses drive-wheel slip under acceleration and individually brakes the slipping wheel or wheels and/or reduces excess engine power until control is regained.

[SmartAzz]

Originally Posted by jwight

Are we discussing the ESP or traction control? Usually two separate things on most cars. Not sure if smart combines them (not smart!) but if so, you/we are stuck. This is another subject full of lots of opinions and not a lot of data, not to mention driver, car and circumstances all being variables. I'm outta here!

Good point, I think of them together since the button for disabling it is usually referred to as the ESP or DSC or whatever the the manufacturer calls it.

I know, it is one of 'those' topics on car forums, but I can only rely on my own personal experience. I'm not flat out against it like some who hate any 'electronic nannies' and I drive mostly with it on, but I do encounter circumstances that this technology (or certain versions of it and how it works in that specific vehicle) is not designed to handle well and I should have the option to control that for my own safety.

Hmmm, this really makes me want to know how the Smart handles the type of merges and steep streets we have here...

[jwight]

Originally Posted by bmx43

have to agree with this statement. i've had it in several cars and find it to be dangerous in certain situations such as those above.

also, no car that i have owned has both ESP and Traction Control separately. they are always combined. however, i don't buy American cars so maybe they are different in those.

exerpt from definition of ESP:

ESC may also incorporate traction control, which senses drive-wheel slip under acceleration and individually brakes the slipping wheel or wheels and/or reduces excess engine power until control is regained.

Well, there you go. A properly designed (IMO) system gives you the option to control them both. Such a system is available on the Chevrolet Corvette, America's Sportscar, where you can have both on, traction control off but active handling on, or both off. You cannot have traction control on by itself.