Is there a performance gain or reduction by having the DTC on or off? When I have the sport button on and press the DTC button for 3 secongs to turn it all off, I do get a warning light. I'm not a granny driver and know how to handle a car (have raced for many years) but, this is my first MINI and am trying to understand the nuances of it.

 

Unless you are a spirited driver or autocrossing just leave it on IMO. With it off your performance does increase though as the computer wont try to limit performance to avoid spinning the tires and traction.

 

The DTC ON is a safety item, and a good one. Personally, I see no reason to ever turn it off while on the street. When you are looking to eek out that last bit of performance on an autocross course or on some curves in a safe environment then turning it off is a must.

I can gain .5 to .75 seconds on a 45 second autocross course when I remember to turn it OFF.

 

The short answer is "no."

The default state is DSC on, DTC off. DTC is useful in the snow as it allows a bit more slippage than does DSC. To turn DTC on press and release the "DTC" button. I always leave DSC on when driving on the street. It never gets in the way. I always turn both off (press and hold) when autocrossing as neither allows WOT when coming out of a corner.

Under extreme conditions (eg., one wheel in the air) DSC can turn itself back on. The electronic braking to control unequal wheelspin under acceleration (optional with DTC on non-JCWs) can never be turned off.

MINIUSA.com has the most complete explanations of the various driving nannies that I've found.

 

Want to drive your car without being nannied by the ECU, turn it off! Many more smiles too

I would still use it if you're uncomfortable in the rain or snow.

 

That is actually incorrect as far as a JCW is concerned (not sure about non-JCW). The EDLC which comes standard with JCW's is only active when DSC is completely off, it is not active with either DSC on / DTC off or with DSC on /DTC on modes.

Out of interest, the "GP mode" on the new GP model addresses this issue. GP mode is DSC on / DTC on / EDLC active, a combination which is not possible on a standard JCW

To the OP, there is a performance gain to be had by activating the DTC, particularily in the wet. It will allow more front wheel slippage under hard acceleration, but still intervenes. It will not allow you to smoke the tires endlessly! It just increases the envelope of how much slippage is permitted before it intervenes. If you were to do 1/4 mile times you would be quicker with DTC than without, especially in the wet.

However, as others have said, for street driving it is probably not necessary.

Robbo

 

Countryboyshane is again correct!!!

Get a limited slip differential and seriously smile!!!

 

First thing I do when I get in the MINI is turn sport mode and DTC on (unless my baby is in the car, then I leave them off). I find the default DSC engages far to early for my taste, while DTC is just right and saves my tires

 

I turn mine off during spirited drives or heavy snow/rain when I know I might break free. That way I can still give the car power when I want it and not have the car fall on its face because it thinks it is saving you. In reality it is driving you straight off of a corner.

 

Mine is programmed to be off all the time with the Ian Cull's mod. When in bad weather I turn it back on.