Launch Control

Andru8

Andru8

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My mate tells me I have launch control on my car. It's a 2011 S3 s-tonic. Exactly what is it and why is it fitted? He also says that the clutch will give out after about 4 uses of it. How much truth is in that?

I know the title should give it away but I'd like a definitive answer from members here and someone that has tried it.

Cheers
 
It's a setting that let's you launch /set off at set revs before wheel spin to get off the line as quick as possible

Plenty of videos on YouTubeYouTube
 
I heard a rumour you shouldn't use it more than 3 times between services but I'm not sure on that one, the 4 times thing is rubbish as the s-tronic gear box is capable of taking 440ftlbs (if i recall correctly!) when standard the S3 should be about 260ftlbs...
 
Good job you don't have an RS 3 then.

Some of them are shearing propshaft bolts when using LC.....
 
Dave-S3 said:
I heard a rumour you shouldn't use it more than 3 times between services but I'm not sure on that one, the 4 times thing is rubbish as the s-tronic gear box is capable of taking 440ftlbs (if i recall correctly!) when standard the S3 should be about 260ftlbs...
Click to expand...

I think you must be talking about the clutch torque limits.

For the DSG to cope with up to 440lbs,it needs to be remapped,and after that it will need an uprated clutch pack.

The actual gearboxes on both are able to manage in excess of 440lbs(and I should know,having a manual S3!).
 
Veneeringman said:
Good job you don't have an RS 3 then.

Some of them are shearing propshaft bolts when using LC.....
Click to expand...

That's down to the bolts being the weakest point of the transmission in effect.

There is an argument that it's not such a bad thing in that it's relatively easy to replace a few propshaft bolts,but not so easy to replace a broken gearbox.

The TT-RS guys were getting the same issue,especially with uprated power and torque,and a few of them were uprating the bolts to cope.
 
I know.... Some RS3 owners are going down that route

Problem is uprated bolts might not be the solution, especially if it sends the immense loading elsewhere....
 
Veneeringman said:
I know.... Some RS3 owners are going down that route

Problem is uprated bolts might not be the solution, especially if it sends the immense loading elsewhere....
Click to expand...

Exactly.

And that means gearbox and clutch.
 
Veneeringman said:
Finally someone who understands these things and doesn't think a strengthened bolt cures all.
Click to expand...

I think a lot of people just don't get the fact that if you have for instance a drivetrain,from engine to wheels,that when you strengthen one part,somewhere else will become the weakest link.

For my car,that's now either the propshaft bolts,or the gearbox,as the clutch certainly won't break.....

But there will always be one part that's weaker than the rest,and that WILL fail if you load it sufficiently,and the peak loading from a DSG launch,or manual launch is the highest the drivetrain will get.
 
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A standard RS3 develops 450Nm @ (331 lbf ft) of torque @ 1600 to 5300 rpm so launch control doesn't give the tyres/ drivetrain an easy life unleashing maximum torque from a standstill.

Sticky grippy tyres and a remap will only gives it an even harder life.




 
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Exactly PaulRS3 !! Tell that to some of these owners of mapped RS3's that are munching prop shaft bolts, I bet half of 'em have no mechanical sympathy for the car whatsoever.
 
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Veneeringman said:
Exactly PaulRS3 !! Tell that to some of these owners of mapped RS3's that are munching prop shaft bolts, I bet half of 'em have no mechanical sympathy for the car whatsoever.
Click to expand...

True.....I know a couple of guys who were part of the early work on the RS,and neither were in the least bit sympathetic for the mechanicals.
 
I'm not sure about 4 launches.... I've done hundreds in the Ed30 over 7 years without a single issue. And in the 2 months I've had the S-tronic box installed on the S3 i've done over 20 launches. It's slipping on the S3 but I'm still getting all 4 wheels struggling for traction. I'd say use it when you need to...
 
Thanks all for replies they've all be very helpful. Thanks to DeckedS3 as well to confirm what my mate said about the 4 launches to be untrue. Just got to wait to pick it up tomorrow to see how it goes without the salesman sitting by myside.
 
I've got an a APR tuned S3, 380bhp and 411ft ib, launch it a lot, no problems as of yet.
 
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