Missing Items ?

[Trident]

Before I bought my new Leon I remember reading something about a function that would nudge the steering wheel in the opposite direction if the car sensed a slide about to start - has anyone experienced this and if so what does it feel like - I have had the car slide once with a bit of understeer in the wet but felt nothing try to move the steering wheel and prompt me to do anything about the slide.

I also remembered reading something about the brake disks being washed when the screen wash is used. Seen no evidence of this on my car, has any one else?

 

[xJib]

There's a little info on the Seat site under safety in the new Leon section. I've yet to experience it, but might have to go out and find my favourite corner and give it a go.

The brake disk won't be washed per say, but what happens is they are applied ever so slightly so that if there is any moisture on them then it's wiped off. I don’t think you’ll ever notice this happening.

 

[AR-CoolC]

I've had the ESP kick in a few times now The roundabouts o the Ind Est I work on are the very large ones but covered in diesel from all the lorries.

It's a strange effect, where the front end slides out, and a single brake grabs and pulls the front round, which trys to induce oversteer, but then another brake grabs and stops that. It gets very jerky and is hard to predict. But If it was turned off there would just be loads of understeer and a Leon smacking the outside kurb of the roundabout.

It's a great system though and the first car I've owned with it on.

The brake cleaning thing I've never heard of though.

 

[john_ach]

The brakes dab themselves on to dry the pads if they are wet, think its what you can feel when first pulling off slowly. Did the same in my Ibiza.

The DSR 'Dynamic Steering Response' or 'Driver Steering Recommendation' thing is a bit confusing because the acronym is used in two ways. It does say that small impulses are fed to the wheel (through the power steering) when the car is running from the 'ideal line'. Ive not felt this for myself I dont think.
-- http://www.seat.com/com/generator/su/com/newLeon/site/sports/confidence/active/main.html --

Ive felt the car trying to keep me straight during heavy braking but I think this is just the EBD counteracting the ABS.

 

[Trident]

Thanks for the info all.

with the DSR I have been expecting it to feel like somone grabbing the wheel and turning it the opposite way - but by all accounts it would seem to be much less obtrusive.

Totally misunderstood the brake thing.

 

[john_ach]

Actually it would be interesting hearing what if anything people have felt the DSR doing..........

 

[BeezerDiesel]

I've never owned a car with ESP so can't say for sure, but I would guess the car's steering wheel wouldn't be jolted and physically move if the sensors detected a slight slip, as the movement might hurt someone who was holding the steering wheel tightly (like you probably would if you found yourself sliding on a public road). More likely it turns the steering slightly through the actual power steering unit downstream of the steering wheel, which is electrical on these latest generation cars rather than the old mechanical systems which would indeed jolt the wheel(?) thus the person at the wheel wouldn't feel anything untoward nor be injured by a suddenly turning steering wheel. Some dozy Yank would end up suing the car maker otherwise......

 

[Trident]

Just found this in the news archives - might help a bit.....

"The most noteworthy of these safety systems is Driver Steering Recommendation. When the ESP control unit detects the vehicle has entered an unstable situation caused by oversteer, it transmits a signal instructing the steering system's electric motor to turn the steering wheel in the correct, direction. The driver senses this as a recommendation, prompting him or her to turn the steering wheel in the recommended direction and stabilise the vehicle. When driving over a dry, asphalted road, the driver barely notices this steering prompt. The system proves most effective when driving along roads offering differing levels of grip on each side of the car, e.g. a surface that is dry on one side and wet on the other."

http://www.seatcupra.net/seat_news/seat_worldwide_news/the_sportiest_leon_-_2.0_tfsi.html