what is ASC ?

 > Hi. I have a button in my BMW 320i 1997 called ASC. What is it? Is it
 > anti-skid control only, or electronic stability program, or both ?

Traction control. If the ABS sensors see a rear wheel moving faster than
it should be for the car's speed then it can brake the wheel that's
spinning too much so the other wheel still gets power.

--
Who needs a life when you've got Unix?
Email: john.DeleteThis@unixnerd.demon.co.uk, John G.Burns B.Eng, Bonny Scotland
Web : <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk" target="_blank">http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk</a> - The Ultimate BMW Homepage!
Need Sun or HP Unix kit? <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/unix.html" target="_blank">http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/unix.html</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is ASC ? 

On Sun, 25 Jul 2004 13:51:04 +0200, "J.G."
<australopitek2003__________ RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote:

 >Hi. I have a button in my BMW 320i 1997 called ASC. What is it? Is it
 >anti-skid control only, or electronic stability program, or both ?

Who cares? Either way you don't want it so just leave it switched off. Just
yet more pointless waste of space electronic gimicry stuffed into the cars
to fatten out the sales brochures. Any competent driver who was actually
taught to drive doesn't need it.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is ASC ? 

 > Who cares? Either way you don't want it so just leave it switched off. Just
 > yet more pointless waste of space electronic gimicry stuffed into the cars
 > to fatten out the sales brochures. Any competent driver who was actually
 > taught to drive doesn't need it.

I thought that until I tried driving my fiance's Alpina B10. The B10 is
a big scary beastie and loads of fun. But if I was driving it in rain or
snow and was tired I'd use it's ASC, it works really well and if it
stops the back end coming out even some of the time that's great.

--
Who needs a life when you've got Unix?
Email: john.TakeThisOut@unixnerd.demon.co.uk, John G.Burns B.Eng, Bonny Scotland
Web : <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk" target="_blank">http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk</a> - The Ultimate BMW Homepage!
Need Sun or HP Unix kit? <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/unix.html" target="_blank">http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/unix.html</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is ASC ? 

In article <csv8g01of5907qjg0335i934afrq6vb0ib.RemoveThis@4ax.com>,
DRP535 <drp535.nospam.RemoveThis@softhome.net> wrote:
  > >Hi. I have a button in my BMW 320i 1997 called ASC. What is it? Is it
  > >anti-skid control only, or electronic stability program, or both ?

 > Who cares? Either way you don't want it so just leave it switched off.
 > Just yet more pointless waste of space electronic gimicry stuffed into
 > the cars to fatten out the sales brochures. Any competent driver who was
 > actually taught to drive doesn't need it.

So I take it you don't approve of LSDs, or the use of winter tyres?

--
*I took an IQ test and the results were negative.

Dave Plowman dave.RemoveThis@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is ASC ? 

"DRP535" <drp535.nospam RemoveThis @softhome.net> wrote in message
news:csv8g01of5907qjg0335i934afrq6vb0ib@4ax.com...
 > On Sun, 25 Jul 2004 13:51:04 +0200, "J.G."
 > <australopitek2003__________ RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote:
 >
  > >Hi. I have a button in my BMW 320i 1997 called ASC. What is it? Is it
  > >anti-skid control only, or electronic stability program, or both ?
 >
 > Who cares? Either way you don't want it so just leave it switched off.
Just
 > yet more pointless waste of space electronic gimicry stuffed into the cars
 > to fatten out the sales brochures. Any competent driver who was actually
 > taught to drive doesn't need it.

I tend to disagree.
Not all drivers are as competent as you are, nor they need to be.
ABS and ASC can be of great help in the wet or snow.

I had my ASC active once only....I had to break rather hard on the motorway
shooting out of off camber corner - there was an accident ahead and big pile
of
standing cars. I was prepared for rear end to snap but it was really like a
walk in
the park....car was very very neutral.

IIRC sensors detect tire rotation, steering wheel input, roll and pitch of
the car as well
as throttle and break pedal and all combined decide where and when to
activate breaks or
engine retardation (in active steering they slightly correct the wheels
too).

When I had software upgrade on E60, workshop manager told me that new cars
allow for 30% skid if driven fast - more than E39. Off course, for aces like
yourself
there is a button to switch it all OFF

Alex<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is ASC ? 

yea but the ugly yellow light hurts my eyes

kidding...

I hold it "off" always, but the question was risen due to a bet me and my
friend had. It wasn't supposed to look like a rookie question...
 >> Stay informed about: what is ASC ? 

J.G. wrote:
 > Hi. I have a button in my BMW 320i 1997 called ASC. What is it? Is it
 > anti-skid control only, or electronic stability program, or both ?
 >
 > Thanks.
 >
 >

ASC (Automatic Stability Control) is the pre-cursor to DSC (Dynamic
Stability Control) 2001+

ASC is on by default everytime the car is started, pushing the switch
will turn it off and will light the yellow warning light.

ASC/DSC are no magical devices, they are only designed to keep you from
losing control over your car.

Bart
E46 '99 320d<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is ASC ? 

"John Burns" <john DeleteThis @unixnerd.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:4103CC59.4F42@unixnerd.demon.co.uk...
  > > Hi. I have a button in my BMW 320i 1997 called ASC. What is it? Is it
  > > anti-skid control only, or electronic stability program, or both ?
 >
 > Traction control. If the ABS sensors see a rear wheel moving faster than
 > it should be for the car's speed then it can brake the wheel that's
 > spinning too much so the other wheel still gets power.
 >
So as you cross the crown of a road, the engine dies just enough to distract
you from driving. And in the rain the brake fade is great too.

Problem is you have to turn it off every time you start the car, and place
tape over the blinding yellow light that looks like it means something is
dangerously wrong.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is ASC ? 

Don't know what you are talking about, but I have yet to be distracted by
the engine. ASC does not kill the engine, it locks the brakes individually
so you have control. I tested it just today as I haven't had a chance to do
so yet. Had a good rainfall today and without it on, if I gunned a corner my
backend flew out noticeably. With it on, I held the road and never once lost
the backend.

Deep

"rev. hater ®" <shawster RemoveThis @tampabay.rr.com> wrote in message
news:76FNc.14459$DZ.558891@twister.tampabay.rr.com...
 >
 > "John Burns" <john RemoveThis @unixnerd.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
 > news:4103CC59.4F42@unixnerd.demon.co.uk...
   > > > Hi. I have a button in my BMW 320i 1997 called ASC. What is it? Is it
   > > > anti-skid control only, or electronic stability program, or both ?
  > >
  > > Traction control. If the ABS sensors see a rear wheel moving faster than
  > > it should be for the car's speed then it can brake the wheel that's
  > > spinning too much so the other wheel still gets power.
  > >
 > So as you cross the crown of a road, the engine dies just enough to
distract
 > you from driving. And in the rain the brake fade is great too.
 >
 > Problem is you have to turn it off every time you start the car, and place
 > tape over the blinding yellow light that looks like it means something is
 > dangerously wrong.
 >
 >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is ASC ? 

ASC cuts the fuel pressure as well. it's pretty noticeable if you are on it
hard and the road is bumpy.

"Deep" <deep_mehtaHATESSPAM.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:OiFNc.1255620$Ar.470795@twister01.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
 > Don't know what you are talking about, but I have yet to be distracted by
 > the engine. ASC does not kill the engine, it locks the brakes individually
 > so you have control. I tested it just today as I haven't had a chance to
do
 > so yet. Had a good rainfall today and without it on, if I gunned a corner
my
 > backend flew out noticeably. With it on, I held the road and never once
lost
 > the backend.
 >
 > Deep
 >
 > "rev. hater ®" <shawster.TakeThisOut@tampabay.rr.com> wrote in message
 > news:76FNc.14459$DZ.558891@twister.tampabay.rr.com...
  > >
  > > "John Burns" <john.TakeThisOut@unixnerd.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
  > > news:4103CC59.4F42@unixnerd.demon.co.uk...
   > > > > Hi. I have a button in my BMW 320i 1997 called ASC. What is it? Is
it
   > > > > anti-skid control only, or electronic stability program, or both ?
   > > >
   > > > Traction control. If the ABS sensors see a rear wheel moving faster
than
   > > > it should be for the car's speed then it can brake the wheel that's
   > > > spinning too much so the other wheel still gets power.
   > > >
  > > So as you cross the crown of a road, the engine dies just enough to
 > distract
  > > you from driving. And in the rain the brake fade is great too.
  > >
  > > Problem is you have to turn it off every time you start the car, and
place
  > > tape over the blinding yellow light that looks like it means something
is
  > > dangerously wrong.
  > >
  > >
  > >
  > >
 >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is ASC ? 

"Deep" <deep_mehtaHATESSPAM RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:OiFNc.1255620$Ar.470795@twister01.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
 > Don't know what you are talking about, but I have yet to be distracted by
 > the engine. ASC does not kill the engine, it locks the brakes individually
 > so you have control. I tested it just today as I haven't had a chance to
do
 > so yet. Had a good rainfall today and without it on, if I gunned a corner
my
 > backend flew out noticeably. With it on, I held the road and never once
lost
 > the backend.
 >

ASC+T in an E34 and an E32 most definately cuts throttle. Not sure if
that's the same system you guys are talking about but I've had experience
exploring those systems in those cars.

Try it in the rain in a straight line on a full throttle launch.

-Russ.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is ASC ? 

In article <76FNc.14459$DZ.558891@twister.tampabay.rr.com>,
rev. hater ® <shawster DeleteThis @tampabay.rr.com> wrote:
  > > Traction control. If the ABS sensors see a rear wheel moving faster
  > > than it should be for the car's speed then it can brake the wheel
  > > that's spinning too much so the other wheel still gets power.

 > So as you cross the crown of a road, the engine dies just enough to
 > distract you from driving. And in the rain the brake fade is great too.

If the engine's cutting power, it's because it's sensing a wheel beginning
to spin. You may prefer to try and control this yourself, but you make it
sound like there's no need to. Perhaps there isn't if you want the car
facing the wrong way.

--
*I must always remember that I'm unique, just like everyone else. *

Dave Plowman dave DeleteThis @davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is ASC ? 

Well, I have not noticed it at all apart from not losing control of my car.

Deep

"rev. hater ®" <shawster.RemoveThis@tampabay.rr.com> wrote in message
news:zsFNc.14559$DZ.563676@twister.tampabay.rr.com...
 > ASC cuts the fuel pressure as well. it's pretty noticeable if you are on
it
 > hard and the road is bumpy.
 >
 > "Deep" <deep_mehtaHATESSPAM.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
 > news:OiFNc.1255620$Ar.470795@twister01.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
  > > Don't know what you are talking about, but I have yet to be distracted
by
  > > the engine. ASC does not kill the engine, it locks the brakes
individually
  > > so you have control. I tested it just today as I haven't had a chance to
 > do
  > > so yet. Had a good rainfall today and without it on, if I gunned a
corner
 > my
  > > backend flew out noticeably. With it on, I held the road and never once
 > lost
  > > the backend.
  > >
  > > Deep
  > >
  > > "rev. hater ®" <shawster.RemoveThis@tampabay.rr.com> wrote in message
  > > news:76FNc.14459$DZ.558891@twister.tampabay.rr.com...
   > > >
   > > > "John Burns" <john.RemoveThis@unixnerd.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
   > > > news:4103CC59.4F42@unixnerd.demon.co.uk...
   > > > > > Hi. I have a button in my BMW 320i 1997 called ASC. What is it? Is
 > it
   > > > > > anti-skid control only, or electronic stability program, or both ?
   > > > >
   > > > > Traction control. If the ABS sensors see a rear wheel moving faster
 > than
   > > > > it should be for the car's speed then it can brake the wheel that's
   > > > > spinning too much so the other wheel still gets power.
   > > > >
   > > > So as you cross the crown of a road, the engine dies just enough to
  > > distract
   > > > you from driving. And in the rain the brake fade is great too.
   > > >
   > > > Problem is you have to turn it off every time you start the car, and
 > place
   > > > tape over the blinding yellow light that looks like it means something
 > is
   > > > dangerously wrong.
   > > >
   > > >
   > > >
   > > >
  > >
  > >
  > >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: what is ASC ?