Hidden DSC mode on E38 - BMW Forum

brettski · 09-15-2011, 06:42 AM

Has anyone experimented with the half off / half on mode with the E38 DSC?
There are several functions that the E38 Dynamic Stability Control performs,
Traction control to backoff the power in the event of excessive wheel spin,
Electronic LSD to apply a brake to an individual rear wheel that is spinning to shift some of the power to the non spinning wheel &
Stability control which applies individual brakes to correct a lateral slide.

All very good, but it can be a little worrying when you pull into moving traffic from a side street, apply the go peddle, and the safety system says, "no no no, I see what your trying to do here, but for your own safety thats way too much power, lets just think about this for a moment", as the driver that is rapidly bearing down on you from behind is looking for somewhere to go.

Well if you have found yourself in this situation, as I have several times, there is a hidden nugget in amongst the electronics. Start the car, (doesn't have to be immediately after starting the car) push and hold in the DSC button for ~10 seconds, the warning light will come on, then go back off, you now have a foot in each camp, Stability features on (including electronic LSD), throttle control off. The default setting will only return after restarting the car.

Don't try this out for the first time in a nasty situation where youre at risk, but it seems to work for me.
This may work for some of the other models, but I don't know for sure.

Jack Dabsy · 09-15-2011, 01:58 PM

Thanks Brett... Mine only has ASC, on or off thats it !
It's a shame a manual was never made for our cars mate...

drz · 09-15-2011, 07:47 PM

Got this on ASC+T in my old E36 and I loved how it worked. I am sure it works for the E46 as well, but I've never needed it since I moved to TX. If I remember correctly, once it is enabled, the only way to disable it is to shut off car

brettski · 09-16-2011, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dabsy

Thanks Brett... Mine only has ASC, on or off thats it !
It's a shame a manual was never made for our cars mate...

Ahhh, but they were. There are a small number (313383 Auto vs 14177 Manual) of E38s that came out as a manual, a six speed I believe. Somewhere (probably mostly in Germany) there are 7s with a manual gear box waiting for disassembly. I spoke to a German guy (living in Melbourne) who said his father owned one for a while. He and his brother were going to try and find some gearbox, clutch etc to convert the 7s that they now drive here in Australia. Take a look at pages 17 & 18 of this document http://www.e38.org/BMWProductionData.pdf

brettski · 09-16-2011, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dabsy

Thanks Brett... Mine only has ASC, on or off thats it !
It's a shame a manual was never made for our cars mate...

I'd still give it a try to see if it behaves the same way. Its not going to do any harm.

Jack Dabsy · 09-16-2011, 01:56 PM

Hahahaha I mean a workshop manual like Haynes etc...

Jack Dabsy · 09-16-2011, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brettski

I'd still give it a try to see if it behaves the same way. Its not going to do any harm.

I will tomorrow, on the shopping run with the family in the car

brettski · 09-18-2011, 07:34 AM

Thats exactly not the situation I was describing "Don't try this out for the first time in a nasty situation where youre at risk" You are trapped in easy reach of your missus.

Jack Dabsy · 09-18-2011, 11:07 AM

Hehehe IT WORKS !! It behaves like "Launch Control" (in "Sport")... They were all anchored in their seats Hahahaha

ADVICE - Be very wary of using this "Easter Egg" on newer cars as after 10 uses your warranty becomes VOID... FACT

brettski · 09-19-2011, 02:21 AM

Yippee for Easter Eggs. Maybe the model number (E38 case in hand) depicts how many hidden features there are within the car. So what was the family's response when you laid that one on them?