[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by iamcc88

He is saying more power with less traction control.

Normal mode: least power
Sport traction: medium power
Traction off: most power

Is ‘sport traction’ an actual setting?

[iamcc88]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

Is ‘sport traction’ an actual setting?

I don’t think that’s the actual name but when I press my traction button one time, it puts it into some mode that is not “on” or “off”.

I just can’t remember the exact name. I can update this comment later today.

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by iamcc88

I don’t think that’s the actual name but when I press my traction button one time, it puts it into some mode that is not “on” or “off”.

I just can’t remember the exact name. I can update this comment later today.

Ah, was just curious if it was a setting particular to the m lite. In that case pressing just once is for enabling traction on slippery/slushy surfaces

[arkhi]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

pressing it once enables better traction on slushy/slippery surfaces

Correct. Specifically, pressing the button once activates Dynamic Traction Control (DTC). As BMW puts it:

"DTC is a version of the DSC Dynamic Stability Control where drive power is optimized. The system ensures maximum drive power on unusual road conditions, for instance unplowed snow covered roads, or loose road surfaces, but with somewhat limited driving stability. When DTC is activated, the vehicle has maximum traction. Driving stability is limited during acceleration and when driving in curves."

So you get better traction but at the cost of having an easier to control car.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by arkhi

Correct. Specifically, pressing the button once activates Dynamic Traction Control (DTC). As BMW puts it:

"DTC is a version of the DSC Dynamic Stability Control where drive power is optimized. The system ensures maximum drive power on unusual road conditions, for instance unplowed snow covered roads, or loose road surfaces, but with somewhat limited driving stability. When DTC is activated, the vehicle has maximum traction. Driving stability is limited during acceleration and when driving in curves."

So you get better traction but at the cost of having an easier to control car.

That’s crazy for someone like me, who is new to all this, to wrap my head around. More traction but less control? How does that work?

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by NGT2

That’s crazy for someone like me, who is new to all this, to wrap my head around. More traction but less control? How does that work?

Pressing once limits the amount of traction control being applied when wheel spin is detected, eg slushy road surface with TC fully engaged it’ll detect wheel spin & cut the power & you end up going nowhere, press DTC once & in those conditions the tc will not cut in enabling power to still be applied to spinning wheels meaning providing you know how to drive in those conditions you will have more traction but ‘less control’

[Gautam]

Originally Posted by iamcc88

The first thing I do every time I get in my car is I hit the traction button because of exactly the same reason.

I don’t notice a traction difference at highway speeds but the car feels more planted.

If you read the description of the traction mode it says something like “reduced chassis stabilization” which to me means it’s a more raw feeling in terms of being connected to the road, and that’s what I feel when I use it.

What I do notice is at any lower speeds <50mph if I am going to punch it to merge in to traffic etc there is a noticeable difference in this setting.

I’ve been trying this for the past couple of days in completely dry weather in comfort mode. I notice a difference- it feels a bit peppier when merging into a freeway.

[iamcc88]

Originally Posted by Gautam

I’ve been trying this for the past couple of days in completely dry weather in comfort mode. I notice a difference- it feels a bit peppier when merging into a freeway.

Nice! Yeah I love it. As long as the roads are dry I use it 100% of the time.

[Chappers 71]

Well I gave it a try today and…..didn’t notice any difference

[Brucelinc]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

Well I gave it a try today and…..didn’t notice any difference

That is because there is no difference unless there is a loss of traction. However, sport mode settings absolutely increase throttle response.

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by Brucelinc

That is because there is no difference unless there is a loss of traction. However, sport mode settings absolutely increase throttle response.

Well yeah of course sport mode increases throttle response

[iamcc88]

Originally Posted by Brucelinc

That is because there is no difference unless there is a loss of traction. However, sport mode settings absolutely increase throttle response.

Well, I’ve done extensive testing myself with it on and off and I definitely notice a difference even before a loss of traction. There’s not really an official explanation from BMW so it’s one thing to say you don’t notice a different but I think you’re incorrect to say there’s no difference.

[Neusser]

Originally Posted by iamcc88

Well, I’ve done extensive testing myself with it on and off and I definitely notice a difference even before a loss of traction. There’s not really an official explanation from BMW so it’s one thing to say you don’t notice a different but I think you’re incorrect to say there’s no difference.

You notice a difference because the normal traction-control setting cuts power. If you are testing in the dry, you have more leeway to put the power down.

The same goes for snow, because less intervention allows your wheels to spin as you desire, which increases your ability to find traction when the throttle is applied appropriately.

[BMW012]

i tried it and unless its just in my head, i think it makes the suspension/chassis a bit more loose. it basically makes the chassis less stable without its intervention. you can also read the description on the idrive once you click on the button and also the visual of the car driving over bumps more loosely on the idrive. in general a bit more loose = a bit more fun.

[iamcc88]

Originally Posted by Neusser

You notice a difference because the normal traction-control setting cuts power. If you are testing in the dry, you have more leeway to put the power down.

The same goes for snow, because less intervention allows your wheels to spin as you desire, which increases your ability to find traction when the throttle is applied appropriately.

Yeah, that makes sense to me.

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by BMW012

i tried it and unless its just in my head, i think it makes the suspension/chassis a bit more loose. it basically makes the chassis less stable without its intervention. you can also read the description on the idrive once you click on the button and also the visual of the car driving over bumps more loosely on the idrive. in general a bit more loose = a bit more fun.

Yeah I agree that it’ll be a bit more lose & more fun & tbf I was on a duel carriageway & it was dry so for me there was no difference in acceleration/didn’t feel quicker or more responsive as others have posted.

On the rare occasions that I wanna feel like a hairy chested real man I press & hold to turn the TC all the way off & slip it into Sport +….no point in half measures