Should DSC always be turned OFF when going off road? I've done a quick search and found that turning off DSC is recommended. However, I've been to a few LR events where I've been advised to leave on DSC unless heading for mud. Thoughts?2007 LR3 HSE - Zermatt Silver
2007 LR3 HSE - Stornoway Gray (Mrs.)
*Luxury Package (Heated Wind Shield, Heated Seats, Heated Washer Fluid, Adaptive Front Lights and Center Console Cooler Box)*
20th Dec 2007 2:51 pm
CFB
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
Posts: 6100
In my experience it should be off when climbing slippery slopes or if you get stuck in mud as it can kill engine power when you need it most, otherwise fine to leave it on.2020 BMW X1 18d XDrive X-Line Auto
20th Dec 2007 2:54 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15264
and OFF when deep wading!...... always on the road less travelled 🚧
20th Dec 2007 3:02 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50978
What you have to think in any manouvere is "do I want intereference from the DSC ". In some driving conditions, to maximise traction, it may be beneficial to deactivate DSC.
Such conditions include:
• To rock the vehicle out of a hollow or out of a soft surface.
• Starting in deep snow or on a loose surface.
• Driving in deep sand.
• Driving on tracks with deep longitudinal ruts.
• Driving through deep mud.
Even with DSC switched off ..it's not really off it is only 80/90% off ...as proven by AndrewS 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
20th Dec 2007 4:42 pm
blue meanie D3 Decade
Member Since: 04 Aug 2005
Location: Newbury
Posts: 6861
I've found with the MT/R's fitted and DSC off on the road, you can do some nice powerslides round slip-road bends when the roads are nice and greasy ... I've looked but can't actually see that in the manual for some reason ? and theeeeennn......???
20th Dec 2007 4:56 pm
AndrewS Tarquin of the Desert
Member Since: 06 May 2005
Location: Y...... because I can
Posts: 10442
I usually leave DSC on until it impedes my progress. I then reverse turn it off and continue. There are the odd exceptions when I would turn it off, for instance knowing that I could not reverse and try again, climbing sand or when power and momentum are required.
The DSC cuts in when the car thinks its unstable. So we try and keep the car stable. By keeping the car stable you are maximising your grip. Sometimes turning the DSC off and driving fast will get you no further than driving the car and keeping it stable.
Marie proved this several times in France last year. She drove The Red Pearl easily up slopes that some other D3's struggled.In the Beginning there was nothing, which exploded.
20th Dec 2007 5:23 pm
Penguin
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: A fun place
Posts: 485
off off off
And like DG says, even when off, it is still there bugging you when momentum is needed.
(You can see it very good on one of the video's I have when driving in the sand at Marcanterra)In a time of chimpanzees, I was a penguin. www.m-release.com
21st Dec 2007 7:03 am
jkp
Member Since: 16 Sep 2005
Location: Living among Bawbags
Posts: 4528
blue meanie wrote:
I've found with the MT/R's fitted and DSC off on the road, you can do some nice powerslides round slip-road bends when the roads are nice and greasy ... I've looked but can't actually see that in the manual for some reason ?
Nice to know someone else likes to have a play with this multi-purpose tool. I love scaring passengers with a wee bit of a drift as something that big and heavy should not be able to slide like it does
21st Dec 2007 8:26 am
DavidK
Member Since: 28 Aug 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 37
Powerslides
By a lucky coincident I did some testing of the DSC last night and then read this thread today.
It was raining here last night and I just happened to decide to test DSC on/off into a wet round-about on a tar road with Cooper STT tyres (about 15 approaches )....there was definetly some good movement of the backend with the DSC turned off when pushed.
What was funny was that with DSC turned off understeer became evident (when not trying to get the back to flick out, but pushing the car).
I personally turn DSC off when on any type of dirt - find that throttle response is improved.MY05 TDV6 S - manual, King springs lift, General Grabber AT
Last edited by DavidK on 4th Jan 2008 4:59 am. Edited 1 time in total
3rd Jan 2008 11:55 pm
Bushwanderer
Member Since: 27 Nov 2007
Location: Northern Rivers, NSW, Australia
Posts: 2050
Re: Powerslides
DavidK wrote:
By a lucky coincident I did some testing of the DSC last night and then read this thread today.
It was raining here last night and I just happened to decide to test DSC on/off into a wet round-about on a tar road with Cooper STT tyres (abount 15 approaches )....there was definetly some good movement of the backend with the DSC turned off when pushed.
What was funny was that with DSC turned off understeer became evident (when not trying to get the back to flick out, but pushing the car).
I personally turn DSC off when on any type of dirt - find that throttle response is improved.
Hi DavidK, And here was I beginning to believe that I had the only TDV6 manual, with coils in Australia.
I live near Epping, in Sydney. Where do you reside?
Best Wishes,
Peter
4th Jan 2008 4:50 am
jpi3418
Member Since: 01 Jun 2006
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
Posts: 54
Always switch DSC off when on sand, especially a beach. I've seen too many shots of D3's stuck on beaches with rising tides because their owners didn't switch the DSC off.2005 D3 TdV6 HSE Buckingham Blue
2010 D4 3.0 TdV6 SE Stornoway Grey
2014 D4.5 SDV6 HSE Nara Bronze
16th Apr 2008 7:51 am
norto
Member Since: 10 Apr 2006
Location: batemans bay
Posts: 1605
I take the ABS fuse out to disable
the traction controlPete
16th Apr 2008 8:47 am
Getafix
Member Since: 13 Sep 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 229
Quote:
I take the ABS fuse out to disable
the traction control
no negative side effects Norto? <*(((<<
16th Apr 2008 8:58 am
norto
Member Since: 10 Apr 2006
Location: batemans bay
Posts: 1605
None
but keep in mind ...its a coiler.
I must admit that i was a bit worried the first time i did it Pete
16th Apr 2008 9:02 am
hernan1304
Member Since: 28 Feb 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 490
Definitely turn it off in deep sand (I would suspect deep mud is much the same) - it kills engine power at exactly the wrong times. I notice the power fall-off more in low range than high... Of course now I'm fully expecting someone to tell me that DSC gets automatically deactivated in low range and I'm an idiot... anyone know?
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... I've looked but can't actually see that in the manual for some reason ? 
