Cupra 20vt ESP or TCS??

[Bogwoppit]

I have recently bought a 2000 Model Seat Ibiza Cupra 20vt. This car has a TCS button on the dash which obviously disables the traction etc. The traction control does what it should do i.e. tries to stop the wheels form spinning when I am being foolish in 1st and 2nd gears, especially in the wet, light flashes etc when it is working.

On the way home today I noticed that the TCS light was flashing when I was taking corners rather quickly and I wasn't even on the gas. I could feel it braking individual wheels etc to try and stabilise the car. Is this normal?? I thought this was what ESP did not TCS and I don't even think my car has ESP, or the TCS button would have ESP written on it.

Please feel free to enlighten me.

 

[redcupratdi]

TCS would still brake the wheels if one is spinning up.
i know alot of mk3 owner routine is to switch it off as soon as they get in.

 

[Bogwoppit]

Thanks for the reply I understand that TCS would intervene if a wheel was spinning but I went round 2 corners in 3rd gear and I turned into the corner and didn't touch the throttle at all, I was cornering quite hard and the TCS light flickered and braked one of the wheels I think.

 

[davidol]

im under the impression and its just because its a **** system combined with crap chassis and std suspension! if the wheels lifts and hops slightly the tcs detects its spinning slightly quicker than the other and kills the power, totally gay! i believe esp is smarter than this and realises its all part of cornering forces

 

[TimD]

I've noticed, with a quick change of elevation TCS will cut in. Going around roundabouts at speed can induce the TCS light which is annoying.

Just remember to turn it off when you get in

 

[redcupratdi]

over last 2,500 (been driving mk4 cupra for a year 25,000 miles) i have been turning tcs system off and driving pleasure is alot better, it does cut in too quickly. and believee esp will activate if something really wrong happens.

 

[Fez boy]

I turned it off when I drove my Mk3 and I do the same in the MK4

 

[chris999]

yeah i turn it off before the seat belt comes on!!!

 

[Tony 156]

The TCS and ESP are the same system. Its manufactures way for making the car seem different when the systems are the same. If skoda ran a TCS or ESP button on their dashboard people would think the VW and SEAT where low budget.Its all about pre conseptions and stero types.

Cant explain exactly how it works but there are essntially three steps. First it dabs the break on the offending wheel. secondly it cuts the power and thirdly when you nearing death, does both of the above.

this applies for the cornering part too. again dont know the exact science but it know when the car is understeering and compensates to keep you going the direction you want to be, i.e not towards the tree!

I do usually have it turned off but i tend to try and beat the computer by flying into corners and seeing how well it can sort itself out. only beaten it once and it started beeping at me.