Can anyone verify that DTC is active all the time. I think it is but when I press the DSC one time, it tells me the DTC is active. I assume that the after this one press the DTC wasm previously active and remains active while the DSC is inactive. Obviously if you hold the switch for 2 seconds, both are deactivated. Is my understanding correct?

 

Yep.

By pressing the DSC button once you don't deactivate the system completely, the DTC remains. When pressing the button for more then 3 seconds even the DTC gets shut off, so the system is totaly deactivated. Pressing the button once again activates the complete system.
The DSC system is active after each start of the engine, even when it has been inactive when you shut the engine off the last time.

 

Gentlemen: I am a little confused. My understanding is DTC is activated by pressing the DSC botton. The manual suggests activating DTC in deep snow, loose road surface and when ascending a snowy hill. So isn't DSC activated every time you start your car, but DTC has to activated by pressing the DSC button? Unless the DTC lamp is on, DTC isn't - correct?

 

DSC is more than DTC. By pressing the DSC button shortly the DSC gets reduced to DTC only! In that case you get a warning message that DSC is deactivated and DTC is active, a warning lamp indicates this too. Pressing the DSC button for more then 3 seconds you will get two warning lamps, indicating that the whole stability system is deactivated - even the DTC.
After every start of the engine the whole stability program is switched on.

 

Ice: Thanks for the clarification. So BMW is suggesting that we deactivate DSC, using only DTC in heavy snow - correct? I get into some heavy snow in the mountains of California, it will come in handy. Thanks for all the help.

 

It all depends on the situation.
There might be situations when your car is stuck in snow, where you even need to shut off the complete system, including the DTC. But that you will immediately find out, since you will push the gas pedal and nothing happens... Then just turn the complete system off and swing out of the snowhole you are stuck in...