Driving with ESP off... discuss

[Leonard]

Im pretty sure that this is fully off 

[stealthwolf]

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?;topic=7400.0

[Saint Steve]

In the manual it's says only either on or off, not a two stage setting on a mk5.

[Tfsi_Mike]

Im pretty sure that this is fully off 

[Jussa]

 

[robdf2]

if i want a spirited drive i always turn it off 
it is far too sensible sometimes if you exit a corner in second gear it cuts in too easily , you still have your foot planted to the floor but it cuts all power , gets really annoying

if the weather conditions are too bad eg rain or greasy surface i leave it on.

you got to have a bit of fun sometime 

[Top Cat]

The ESP is their to help people to control the car and not take it to a point were control is lost. It is easier to drive fast with the ESP off but in the same token you wont be getting as much warning if you do lose control. It can be intrusive if you know what your doing or a life saver if you dont.  

[gillm]

mine has been off for 9 months (dead abs pump ) and its horrible without it . got a new pump coming tomorrow thank god . with 340 hp losing traction is always gonna happen but every little helps

[mattchaps]

Decided to see if the 10 second rule works?! Held the button down for 10 seconds, the light comes on to start with in the normal way, but after 10s the light goes back out. Seems to drive as tho ESP is off? Confused.com!

[rich83]

Sometimes Ill turn if off because it can cut in far too soon IMO, especially when booting it out of corners. 98% of the time I leave it on.

[RENNTAG]

Thats interesting. the only thing i dont like about having the ESP off is that there is an orange light on the dash. if the esp is off but you can turn the light off to thats a nice touch  

[Saint Steve]

Decided to see if the 10 second rule works?! Held the button down for 10 seconds, the light comes on to start with in the normal way, but after 10s the light goes back out. Seems to drive as tho ESP is off? Confused.com!

Thats why i think its either on or off, and no progressive setting with a 10 second rule.

ESP will still try and help if youve turned off the esp to an extent, but as Topcat says, just be careful

[tony_danza]

When I learnt to drive, there was no ESP... blah blah blah nostalgia blah

I'd suggest in some cases, not all before you jump down my throat, but some.....if the ESP is causing you problems, then the problem is your driving. It's a really good system on the MKV and if you're smooth, it'll hardly seem like it's there.

[johnboy07]

i personally dont use the esp at all. As soon as im in the car i turn it off. You need to feel the car and correct things for yourself. If your not comfortable driving quick or pushing the car then leave it on but im sure alot of people on here know there cars well and would have no problems driving without it on, and like said above just be carefull. I had a very sharp learning curve as before this i owned an s2000 and although my golf eats them now, that thing with no driver aids would bite your head off if you lost concentration for a minute, sooooooo  much fun though. 



Also didnt help me by having budget wanliii tyres on the rear

[RedRobin]

.
I drive on the road with ESP On. It very very rarely interferes even when driving enthusiastically but when it has kicked in it's been due to a patch of mud or slippy white line and I've been very glad of it - You cannot possibly predict everything that is unexpectedly and suddenly thrown at you on a public road. Better safe than sorry.

I think that effective suspension/handling mods will reduce the instances of ESP kicking in.