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DSC and fuel consumption

Old Jun 6, 2006 | 08:00 PM
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I hardly turn my DSC off until recently. And I noticed driving with DSC off seems to consume less fuel, and the weight of the car feels less heavy. Do you have similiar experience or it's just me?
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Old Jun 6, 2006 | 09:14 PM
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Hummm dont know... I never turn DSC off for extended periods...
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Old Jun 6, 2006 | 09:21 PM
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It certainly feels that way. I'm still in break in on the 550 so haven't pushed it yet but on my 545 the car felt sharper with DSC off. I'm not sure if this is a purely psychological benefit or whether (as I suspect is the case) the electronic assistance of DSC, whilst effective, has a low-ish threshold and retards power too early in cases where the car really doesn't need it. In the main I used to keep DSC active on the 545 but when I did disable it I noticed the same effects as you.
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Old Jun 6, 2006 | 10:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Bimmer530I' post='293626' date='Jun 6 2006, 09:00 PM
I hardly turn my DSC off until recently. And I noticed driving with DSC off seems to consume less fuel, and the weight of the car feels less heavy. Do you have similiar experience or it's just me?
Dynamic Stability Control has no effect on fuel mileage. It's there to prevent the spinning of the tires (by backing off the fuel and applying the brakes) and/or control a slide by individually applying the brakes and backing off the fuel.
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Old Jun 7, 2006 | 12:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Bimmer530I' post='293626' date='Jun 7 2006, 05:00 AM
I hardly turn my DSC off until recently. And I noticed driving with DSC off seems to consume less fuel, and the weight of the car feels less heavy. Do you have similiar experience or it's just me?
If anything it would be the opposite as DSC will intervene and reduce throttle input if you are accelerating yourself into a skid (as well as adjusting individual braking input to all 4 wheels)

I don't get what you mean about less heavy - if you mean more responsive and agile - then I agree - but 'less heavy' no ......
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Old Jun 7, 2006 | 01:48 AM
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Originally Posted by needforspeed' post='293731' date='Jun 7 2006, 04:58 PM
If anything it would be the opposite as DSC will intervene and reduce throttle input if you are accelerating yourself into a skid (as well as adjusting individual braking input to all 4 wheels)

I don't get what you mean about less heavy - if you mean more responsive and agile - then I agree - but 'less heavy' no ......
Yes, What i meant was the car seems to be responsive and agile, I sure felt it weigh less when i had the DSC off.
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Old Jun 7, 2006 | 02:49 AM
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I feel the car more responsive and agile in M mode, but not with DSC turn off though. Will try later.
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Old Jun 7, 2006 | 05:01 AM
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Originally Posted by windnsea00' post='293656' date='Jun 6 2006, 11:13 PM
Dynamic Stability Control has no effect on fuel mileage. It's there to prevent the spinning of the tires (by backing off the fuel and applying the brakes) and/or control a slide by individually applying the brakes and backing off the fuel.
Yep - but the question is does it intervene too early? I think it does, which is what contributes to the differences that the original poster mentioned in feel and apparent balance. In my 545, DSC clearly limited stop light acceleration which was better with DSC off.
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Old Jun 7, 2006 | 06:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Bimmer530I' post='293626' date='Jun 6 2006, 11:00 PM
I hardly turn my DSC off until recently. And I noticed driving with DSC off seems to consume less fuel, and the weight of the car feels less heavy. Do you have similiar experience or it's just me?
I don't think that either DSC or DTC (on or off) will have an effect on economy--unless your foot becomes heavier when you turn one or both off. Incidentally, you can't turn DSC "completely" off unless you also turn DTC "completely" off.

DSC on--maximum stability control and minimum wheel spin allowed
DTC on--less stability control and more wheel spin. less stability control because more wheel spin is allowed
Both off--in theory, little to no stability control and little to no traction control (i.e., maximum wheel spin allowed)

Car more responsive at slow speeds especially when heavy foot is applied with both off since the effects of the HP robbing nannies are minimized.
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Old Jun 7, 2006 | 01:40 PM
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The steering definitely is more responsive and lighter when the DTC button is held down.
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