To traction or not to traction?

YukieXR · 05-14-2012, 12:45 AM

Hi guys, I'm a new owner of a 2012 X1 and to the forums. I took possession on Saturday so I don't have much road experience with her yet. I'll hold off on the self-introduction till I take some decent photos for once lol.

Anyway, to my question. Do you normally leave DTC on?

I ask this because during my joy ride earlier today when I was in a turning lane to merge I noticed a complete lack of power when I needed it. I went around a similar corner with DTC off and got exactly what I'm used to.

The car manual was a bit vague, it mentions to turn it on when dealing with loose surfaces like sand or snow but by default it's turned on!!!

Any insight would be appreciated, thanks.

ohnoyuji · 05-14-2012, 07:03 AM

That's turbo lag... if you really need power on merging onto highway, you could push your shifter to the left into the sport mode. I'm sure you will have power there.

I doubt it has to do with DTC at all.

YukieXR · 05-14-2012, 02:37 PM

The DTC/DTS symbol (car with the wiggly lines) flashes on the dash. Interestingly enough I haven't noticed the turbo lag as much as my previous GTI. I will have to try out the paddles on my way home today.

So far I've changed my drive style a bit so I haven't gotten traction control kicking in. Could just be the dirt/dust/sand/debris left over from winter; damn Edmonton roads!

Edit: Also have to check the tire pressure when I get home... saw another thread regarding over inflated tires, that may be the problem.

bimmerjph · 05-16-2012, 04:19 PM

Its definitely not turbo lag. With the N54 in my Mom's 535i you have to be looking for turbo lag to sense it. With the newer twin power turbo engines it has been reduced even more. It is probably DSC or the transmission being in the wrong gear at the wrong time. Try putting it into sport mode but leave the DSC on.

Teemo Panda · 05-18-2012, 02:05 PM

Uhm. It's a new car, new parts needs to be settled in before giving you full performance.

vladberca · 05-19-2012, 05:47 AM

Keep the DTC on, but go in Sport Mode if you want fast overpasses

Just don't push it too hard 'cause it's still new... The Comfort Mode is the way to go for the first 2000 km

05-14-2012, 12:45 AM	#1
YukieXR Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2012 X1 xDrive28i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Edmonton, AB iTrader: (0)	To traction or not to traction? Hi guys, I'm a new owner of a 2012 X1 and to the forums. I took possession on Saturday so I don't have much road experience with her yet. I'll hold off on the self-introduction till I take some decent photos for once lol. Anyway, to my question. Do you normally leave DTC on? I ask this because during my joy ride earlier today when I was in a turning lane to merge I noticed a complete lack of power when I needed it. I went around a similar corner with DTC off and got exactly what I'm used to. The car manual was a bit vague, it mentions to turn it on when dealing with loose surfaces like sand or snow but by default it's turned on!!! Any insight would be appreciated, thanks.
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05-14-2012, 07:03 AM	#2
ohnoyuji Private First Class 18 Rep 187 Posts Drives: Mini Cooper/ BMW X1 i28 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0)	That's turbo lag... if you really need power on merging onto highway, you could push your shifter to the left into the sport mode. I'm sure you will have power there. I doubt it has to do with DTC at all.
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05-14-2012, 02:37 PM	#3
YukieXR Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2012 X1 xDrive28i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Edmonton, AB iTrader: (0)	The DTC/DTS symbol (car with the wiggly lines) flashes on the dash. Interestingly enough I haven't noticed the turbo lag as much as my previous GTI. I will have to try out the paddles on my way home today. So far I've changed my drive style a bit so I haven't gotten traction control kicking in. Could just be the dirt/dust/sand/debris left over from winter; damn Edmonton roads! Edit: Also have to check the tire pressure when I get home... saw another thread regarding over inflated tires, that may be the problem. Last edited by YukieXR; 05-14-2012 at 03:21 PM.. Reason: More info
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05-16-2012, 04:19 PM	#4
bimmerjph Colonel 121 Rep 2,023 Posts Drives: 2005 Z4 3.0 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (0)	Its definitely not turbo lag. With the N54 in my Mom's 535i you have to be looking for turbo lag to sense it. With the newer twin power turbo engines it has been reduced even more. It is probably DSC or the transmission being in the wrong gear at the wrong time. Try putting it into sport mode but leave the DSC on.
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05-18-2012, 02:05 PM	#5
Teemo Panda Bimmerpost Plasti Dip Guru 81 Rep 1,174 Posts Drives: E53, E46-M3, E70, F25-X3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New Jersey (NJ) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW X3 [5.66]	Uhm. It's a new car, new parts needs to be settled in before giving you full performance. __________________
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05-19-2012, 05:47 AM	#6
vladberca Major General 763 Rep 5,560 Posts Drives: '18 octavia 2.0 tdi dsg Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Craiova iTrader: (0)	Keep the DTC on, but go in Sport Mode if you want fast overpasses Just don't push it too hard 'cause it's still new... The Comfort Mode is the way to go for the first 2000 km
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