Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
The DSC system is designed to improve the lateral stability of the vehicle in all driving situations.
The DSC system is active unless switched off by the DSC switch in the dashboard. When switched off the DSC warning lamp is permanently illuminated.
1.DSC switch
DSC optimizes dynamic stability, even in critical driving situations. The system controls dynamic stability when accelerating and when starting from a standstill. Additionally, it identifies unstable driving behavior, such as under-steering and over-steering, and helps to keep the vehicle under control by manipulating the engine output and applying the brakes at individual wheels. Some noise may be generated when the brakes are applied. The system is ready to operate each time the engine is started.
The indicator lamp in the instrument pack extinguishes shortly after the engine has been started (see earlier section). If the indicator lamp flashes, the system is active, regulating engine output and brake forces. If the lamp does not extinguish after starting the engine, or illuminates continuously during a journey, the system has a fault, or has been de-selected using the switch provided. Without DSC, the vehicle may be driven as normal, but at the limit of adhesion its behavior will be less predictable.
If the power supply has been interrupted by disconnecting the vehicle's battery, ABS and DSC will be deactivated. These functions are reactivated by driving a short distance, or by turning the steering wheel from lock to lock while the vehicle is stationary and the engine is running. Reactivation is indicated by extinguishing of the warning lamps.
ETC is continuously available to boost vehicle traction when one or more wheels has a tendency to spin. It operates in conjunction with the DSC system. If a wheel is tending to spin, ETC automatically brakes that wheel until it regains grip and can transmit the engine's power again. This braking activity causes the engine's power to be transferred to the remaining wheels. Some noise may be generated when the brake is applied to the spinning wheel.
It is possible to de-select the stability control function of DSC, leaving the ETC system active, by pressing the DSC button. The amber DSC lamp illuminates continuously, to indicate that the stability function is passive. It is recommended that the DSC system should be temporarily de-selected, in order to maximize forward traction, only in the following exceptional circumstances:
- If the vehicle needs to be rocked out of a hollow or a soft surface
- Starting in deep snow, or on a loose surface
- Driving in deep sand
- On tracks with deep longitudinal ruts
- Driving through deep mud.
If the DSC button is pressed a second time, the system will be re-selected, and the amber DSC lamp will extinguish.