When is DSC necessary..pros / cons?

[Freddy]

Just wondering on day to day driving in Las Vegas...how necessary is it to have DSC on? Does it being on or off change gas mileage? And are there any times when I should absolutely have it on...other than rainy/oil slicked street days.

Also...Pros and Cons of DSC?

Thanks!

[recklessspyder]

It's a nice nanny is ice and snowy conditions....however, most turn it off once they know how to control the X. I'll leave it on when I'm on the hwy in winter, but turn it off in stop on go traffic so it doesn't kick in during acceleration.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Freddy

Just wondering on day to day driving in Las Vegas...how necessary is it to have DSC on? Does it being on or off change gas mileage? And are there any times when I should absolutely have it on...other than rainy/oil slicked street days.

Also...Pros and Cons of DSC?

Thanks!

I can't understand why one would turn it off. It is on when you start the car, it doesn't hurt anything, it doesn't cost you fuel mileage, and if you have to make a sudden extreme evasive maneuver it can come in very handy as it will work to stabilize the vehicle, helping you maintain control. That applies to both wet roads and dry.

If you are on slick streets and it is intervening on acceleration due to a lack of traction, it is really telling you that you are driving with too heavy a right foot for the conditions.

If you want to push the button and turn it off (ie the DSC light is on, telling you it is inactive) I would only do that on snow-covered streets, when the vehicle is not moving and you can't get moving due to the lack of traction. Turning it off raises the thresholds for traction control intervention, and lets you spin the tires to try and get moving. Once you are moving, push the button again to turn the light off, which turns it back on. If the roads are that slippery, why wouldn't you want active stability control?

[Roadkill]

Originally Posted by JCL

I can't understand why one would turn it off. It is on when you start the car, it doesn't hurt anything, it doesn't cost you fuel mileage, and if you have to make a sudden extreme evasive maneuver it can come in very handy as it will work to stabilize the vehicle, helping you maintain control. That applies to both wet roads and dry.

If you are on slick streets and it is intervening on acceleration due to a lack of traction, it is really telling you that you are driving with too heavy a right foot for the conditions.

If you want to push the button and turn it off (ie the DSC light is on, telling you it is inactive) I would only do that on snow-covered streets, when the vehicle is not moving and you can't get moving due to the lack of traction. Turning it off raises the thresholds for traction control intervention, and lets you spin the tires to try and get moving. Once you are moving, push the button again to turn the light off, which turns it back on. If the roads are that slippery, why wouldn't you want active stability control?

+500,000,000. It's a proven system for increased driving safety. If you feel the need to turn it off in slippery conditions because it continues to activate, then perhaps you might be driving too fast or aggressive for conditions.

[wallyx5]

I agree it is a system that improves driving safety. But I turn mine off when I want to drive it aggressively and slide it around. Other than that it's a great tool. I leave mine on 70% of the time. I think it really depends on your driving style.

[motordavid]

As usual, I agree with JCL's succinct post...
I've turned mine off a few times in snowy steep climbs, for the gas on/wheel spin tasks, and a couple times to feel the car "slide around"
up on the BRPkway, but other than auto crossing it, or in that almost stuck in deep snow/steep inclines situ, I would leave it on.
GL, mD

[FSETH]

I agree that there are very, very few times when it should be turned off. Regardless of how good of a driver you think you are.

[rocky1536]

Originally Posted by JCL

I can't understand why one would turn it off. It is on when you start the car, it doesn't hurt anything, it doesn't cost you fuel mileage, and if you have to make a sudden extreme evasive maneuver it can come in very handy as it will work to stabilize the vehicle, helping you maintain control. That applies to both wet roads and dry.

If you are on slick streets and it is intervening on acceleration due to a lack of traction, it is really telling you that you are driving with too heavy a right foot for the conditions.

If you want to push the button and turn it off (ie the DSC light is on, telling you it is inactive) I would only do that on snow-covered streets, when the vehicle is not moving and you can't get moving due to the lack of traction. Turning it off raises the thresholds for traction control intervention, and lets you spin the tires to try and get moving. Once you are moving, push the button again to turn the light off, which turns it back on. If the roads are that slippery, why wouldn't you want active stability control?

I couldn't agree more.

The only time I turn it off is off road (rare) and in icy/snow conditions.

[rooroo]

I too agree with JCL.

In normal driving conditions, when DSC is on, it won't interfere unless the car senses traction loss /wheel slip. So why turn it off when it is essentially off until it is really needed?

Unless you drive the X5 very aggressively, having DSC on should not change the way the car drives.

BTW, one thing I have always wondered... If the DSC does kick in to aid with car control, does the DSC light turn on indicating that it's doing something?
The handful of times I've been in an emergency situation with the X, my eyes were fixed elsewhere...

Rui

[JCL]

Yes, when it activates you see a warning light on the dash telling you it is working.