I think that is a compliment. It could just be senility. And, the recent mag reports tend to compliment BMW for making AS less intrusive.

And, yes, I should have it--as my year/model comes with it in the sport package. I checked thing out in my manual and in a 5-Series brochure I have.

My manual indicates that at lower speeds the steering is very direct under AS. This statement implies closer to a 1-1 relationhip between steering wheel movement and the amount turned--which would mean fewer revs lock to lock. At higher speeds, the opposite is true; one has to turn farther to get a given turning reaction. Earlier, I said easier/harder turning is present at lower/higher speeds. I am not sure if the easier/harder part actually is true. But, I think that AS has the effect of reducing the ability of power steering to faciliate turning--among other things. Please on this point. Regardless, though, the idea is that slower/higher speeds go hand-in-hand with greater/lesser stearing/turning angle (amount turned per movement of the steering wheel). Greater/lesser steering angle implies less/more revs lock to lock. In sum, to me, the benefit of AS is agility as low speed and safety and fewer steering mistakes at high speed--whether road racing or not. But, see below. And, please correct me if I got any of the realationships backwards.

Not much info is provided in the maual. It says that there is an icon, but apparently it only shows up when AS is not working; the square icon shows a steering wheel and an exclamation mark.

The reason I probably have not noticed the active steering is that I don't do much in the way of cornering in my 545i (or the Z06). You guys know me; I like good feel in a car, but I'm a straight-line guy. And, I had forgotten before, but my manual indicates that active-steering is off or, at least, its effects are minimized if DSC/DTS are turned off. And, unless, I am on a high-speed road or want to do a little spirited cornering (almost never), then I always drive with both off. The AS icon does not show up for me if I deactivate both DSC and DTC. No matter what, I am very happy with the modest-speed agility of my car--AS on completely or not.

 

I saw the yellow icon today when I went to the car -- I never noticed it before!

I did a count of turns lock-to-lock while at a standstill and it's under 3 for my car. Yellow icon or not, I still think that's the best way to verify if you have AS -- clearly the cars without it would take more turns to go from lock-to-lock, right?

It is a compliment to the system that people aren't able to detect it's presence but believe me when I say that if you drive a car without AS after driving one for some time, you'll clearly notice a difference...

 

i agree. switching between my e60's - esp back to back - it's obvious - steering is heavier on the one without as

 

I figured the obvious part would be the amount of steering input not the steering effort.

When I drive non-AS cars, like non-BMW cars, I often misjudge 90 degree turns around town because I'm so used to not having to turn the wheel so far...

 

Exactly, the feel (effort) should be the same. It is how little steering motion causes such a sharp turn and can catch the unaware to the point of hitting curbs (guilty). Makes me a little more aware of entering intersections and making right turns while in the right lane.

 

I tried center to lock with DSC/DTS off and not off. There was no difference. But, I don't think I can conclude much except there was no difference. As cd, as I recall said--about 330 degrees center to lock. I expected a difference given what's been said above. Obviously, a bad expectation.

 

i agree. switching between my e60's - esp back to back - it's obvious - steering is heavier on the one without as
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I drive four different cars with some frequency. Maybe I just adjust quicky because I never notice a significant difference, hit little old ladies at the corner, etc. Our X5 definitely is harder to steer, but I never spin out in it after having driven my 545i. Maybe it's so hard to steer I that I can't turn the wheel as fast. I have never seen the icon on my 545i. Maybe I got a rare sport package 05 545i that was shorted AS. OK, but, really, can anyone suggest a definitive test for me to try in noticing AS? And, I won't able to drive two cars at the same time. Does anyone know if turning both DSC and DTS completely cancels AS?

And eu...loke, when you say heavier, do you mean harder to turn?

 

I don't think there is any connection between active steering and switching off DSC/DTC...

 

I don't think there is any connection between active steering and switching off DSC/DTC...
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I agree you would not feel difference under most normal conditions, but DSC and AS are related. Using the yaw and ABS sensors and some driver inputs (panic stop, sudden release of gas, etc) DSC and AS in combo will make some adjustments to car without your direct involvement. For instance, while driving in a hurricane or transiting on/off or off/on a bridge in a crosswind those with AS might feel some corrections that they did not initiate.

 

I agree you would not feel difference under most normal conditions, but DSC and AS are related. Using the yaw and ABS sensors and some driver inputs (panic stop, sudden release of gas, etc) DSC and AS in combo will make some adjustments to car without your direct involvement. For instance, while driving in a hurricane or transiting on/off or off/on a bridge in a crosswind those with AS might feel some corrections that they did not initiate.
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I took a curved freeway ramp in rain the other week and the road was pretty slippy. Back end of the car lost grip, and the car fishtailed. In addition to the DSC doing its stuff, I could definitely feel some assistance and input from the steering to help with the correction; with the DSC/AS combo the car quickly regained control. Unless my next E60 happens to be the M, it will have AS. I'm convinced that AS played a role in avoiding a more serious outcome to that freeway ramp incident.