How does the ESP work?

AndymacA4

AndymacA4

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I know this sounds a proper thick question, but I am confused. In the recent cold and icy weather, the little yellow warning light comes on if the wheels start to spin in second gear, but in first I can happily spin the wheels with no intervention! Is this normal?

Example to illustrate. I pulled up to a roundabout that was a bit icy yesterday morning, A big gap appeared so I started to pull out. I obviously gave it too much wellie and the front wheels span up, no light on the dash (I looked!) Changed up to second for more grip, and this time it pulled better, but did spin a littke, this time the little yellow light flickered on and the spinning stopped, I then carried on my way!

Does the ESP work in only 2nd gear upwards, or am I missing the point!
Ta

Andy
 
it cuts in on mine in any gear, and restricts the engine power if wheelspin occurs, in hard ice it wouldnt rev over 1k in 1st when I tried to turn round in a frozen street, but in the wet it will let the wheels spin in 1st....if it sees a wheel has lost traction it reduces power until the wheel grips, but its not a total nanny set up, not sure why sometimes it lets the wheels rip and other times wont :(
 
I've noticed that if both fronts are spinning then it doesn't cut in but if one spins then I get the light flashing and it reduces power.

I would have thought it'd compare wheel speed on all the wheels and not just the fronts.
 
This is my first winter with a Quattro and OMG! The recent snowfall was mearly my playground....anyway! My understanding is that ESP is skid protection?? therfore it will sense if it thinks a skid is happening and apply the brakes or reduce power to try and control this....hence the light coming on when this is active.
I tested this in local supermarket car park in a recent boyish moment in the recent snow...wheel spin from stand still - no light. hoof it while turning, al la doughnut - light flashing.
I wasnt brave enough to turn if off and soon regained a driving style more befitting my age before the traffic cops arrived with the helecopter in tow!:rulez:
 
i have mine turned off all the time in the snow as esp is sh*t it just makes things worse. mind you 235/35/19 tyres dont help
 
I'm with Jase on this one, if you have any knowledge about controlling a fwd when understeering then i find esp just ****** interferes and makes it worse:ninja::sex:
 
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