I can, no DSC for me. Just a set of proper winter tires.

I'd like someone to explain to me how DSC keeps the rear wheels from locking when you pull the hand brake.

IMO they will lock. The hand brake is cable operated. The DSC uses the hydraulics of the brake system to work. The hand brake is not hydraulic. Just like jsharra said.

 

Incidentally, the proper term for 2007+ models (both R56 & R52) is actually ASTC, not AST. ASTC stands for All-Season Traction Control.

In all 2006 models and before, they called it ASC+T (Automatic Stability Control + Traction). DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) has remained the same name since the MINI's release.

As for opinions on DSC, there are a few diehards (like Crashton, above) who refuse to believe DSC is good technology, but the majority of people who have read up on it, or even experienced what it can do, appreciate that it is amazing technology that can and will save you in many situations. It can do stuff to your car that is humanly impossible to do from the manual controls (like brake only one wheel, when necessary).

That's not to say there aren't valid situations for turning DSC off, there sure are. The track, for one...

However, the vast majority of gripes about the system are actually complaints related to ASTC / ASC+T. You can order a MINI without the "good stuff" (DSC), but you can't buy a new MINI any more without the annoying stuff (ASTC / ASC+T), because one way or another, all MINIs come with it. This is because ASTC / ASC+T is a subset of the full DSC functions.

Many, many discussions about the technologies have happened here on NAM - just do an Advanced Search, put "DSC" in as the Key Word, and choose Search Titles Only.

Here's the biggest one that I created after so many of these threads kept popping up:

The Great DSC Thread (merged)

 

If ASTC slows down or breaks the vehicle when the wheels are spinning, then wouldn't it fight LSD which is trying to transfer power to the other wheel? What if both wheels are spinning like so often happens in reality?

 

In normal winter conditions ASC/DSC should be left on. The reason for turning it off would be such as if your car is parked in a lot that is not plowed it would be easier to get out the space without the brakes being applied or if you were coming to a hill that is not plowed and you think you would have hard time climbing ASC turned off will prevent wheel braking. For normal driving in snow ASC/DSC should be left on, this the whole reason for having it to correct for a spin.

 

Don't forget the tires! This is all good information, but I never saw mention of what tires the OP is using. If it's in here and I just missed it, my apologies. If you try to drive "normally".... even, carefully, with summer performance tires, you won't go anywhere fast - if at all.

Good example: Last winter, after a snow, someone with a Porsche Cayenne was trying to enter our neighborhood. There's a decent incline at the entrance. He got about half-way up and began to spin all four wheels. Several of us just happened to be out on the sidewalk while this was happening. He was getting upset and just kept giving it more gas. He finally stopped, got out, and started looking around as if to wonder; "why the heck won't my All-wheel drive, high-powered SUV get up this stupid hill!!!?"

We knew why... He had summer performance tires!

We got out our shovels and helped clear the snow, trying not to laugh of course

 

I've got all season runflats. Not willing to change them this winter. Maybe next year.

 

People who claim the owner's manual recommends turning the DSC off in the snow need to read the manual more closely. Because they are very wrong.

It says that if you need to rock the car free (like when you get plowed in in your parking spot), you may need to turn the traction control / DSC off to rock the car free. It then says that as soon as you are free, you should turn the traction control / DSC back on immediately.

Please... stop spreading misinformation and claiming it came from the owner's manual.

 

Let's all talk after we all drive in the snow. On the paper or online, we are all talk.

 

Don't forget that some of us have already been driving in the snow with our MINIs (in previous years) for a while now. With DSC and without DSC.

New model, yes... but same technologies.

 

And another mouth opens w/o thinking...............try it before claiming otherwise

 

Gee whizz Scott, what's got yer shorts all bunched up there?

I have no DSC & do hand brake turns with no trouble. My friends nanny equipped MCS can do them too. Yep I've tried it. Don't worry I'm going to tell him to real quick get his MINI in the shop & have it fixed. Must be a fubar nanny in there eh?

Now tell me all knowing one, how does the dsc stop those metal cables from pulling the e brake levers on the rear calipers? Bet ya can't tell me because it doesn't. No way no how.

I'll try to think before I say anything that you might disagree with. Could you please do the same?

 

Please see the owner's manual (page 54 in the downloadable version). It suggests turning off the DSC only temporarily when rocking the car, as when trying to free a car stuck in snow, or when using chains.

 

Nicely done .

Now, at the track keep the DSC off in order to get all the power out the car...if not when pushing the car hard thru corners the DSC will shut power off and make your corner exit slooooww.

 

That was alluded to in a previous post oldbear, but it will help you get up a hill in the snow if turned off.

The rear brakes WILL NOT LOCK UP if you pull on the handle in the snow. I found that out while playing around one day. If the DSC is turned off it will. How about you explain to me how it does it huh crash.......oh defender of DSC.

 

Not true for the vast majority of tracks. The traction control you are speaking of should never come into affect while on a track. The speeds are going to be high enough that our lower powered cars should never have an instance of losing traction. DSC will actually help you learn to be smoother on the track. If you can get around the track at speed w/o triggering the DSC control you are being smooth. You can then turn it off to be able to further your education in the dynamics of car control with a much better understanding of the cars limits.

 

Me defend DSC??? No way no how. Why that's defamation of character. I thought you knew I think it's nannies that are lowering the skill set of those who depend on such things.

I'm thinking you must have the fubar nanny. Or possibly you need your e brake cables adjusted.

 

None of the above oh sage one. I just noticed you said you DID not have DSC......hmmmm I wonder how you came to be so fluent in DSC w/o even having it.......

And as to your skill set.....that is debateable.......LOL

 

ScottinBend - you definitely erred in that label. Crashton is one of the more aggressive anti-DSC folks here, in spite of all of the evidence and testimonials (including very detailed analysis from Matt (Dr. Obnxs)).

 

Man Scott yer hurtin my feelings. I have a friend who is dumb enough to let me drive his car with it's all powerful nanny. It was that car that taught me how carpy DSC really is. That is why I don't have your beloved safety blanket. How can you say anything about my skill set? Ever been on track with me? And besides I was nice enough not to ask you if you even knew how to do an e brake turn.

 

Now it's become personal. See what DSC did to the forum?

 

It rains alot here. It doesn't ever snow. Never! (almost.) I get by with all season tires. I have taken college physics and I do not defy the laws of physics so I don't need DSC. If my budget was $500 higher, I would have gotten LSD and not DSC. Even on the track we are not allowed to do wreckless driving at DE's at PIR. I actually spun out in my former Z3 with the DSC on and got a black flag. Another black flag would have meant 'pack it and go home'.

 

Aggressive is right..........and I was being sarcastic Edge

 

Hmmmmmm.......oh well. Some will never come into the light. Enjoy your cave dear sir.

 

I don't live in a cave. I have a very nice house. My wife wouldn't let me buy the cave. If you ever get out this way let me know. We can have a meal & discuss wiring, circuits & skills. Oh & I came to the light. I have 2 Hella driving lights so I can see the light.

Good night Scott.

 

Sometimes DSC will get in the way going up a snowy hill... sometimes it will help.

One of the ski areas I visit frequently with the MINI has an entrance to a parking lot that is a short but steep hill. It's always snow covered. People often spin their wheels going up the hill, which packs the snow down and makes it icy.

I'd make the turn off the road, floor the gas, and let the traction control modulate the throttle for me going up that short hill. It worked great. Honestly. I'm not lying. I've done it many times. And yes, I do have the snow driving experience to be able to modulate the throttle fairly well myself. But the computer actually does a very good job of it. Much like ABS... you almost have to just mash the pedal to the floor and keep it there, letting the computer do the work. If you start messing with the pedal inputs at the same time the computer is trying to figure things out, it usually just makes things worse.

If you need to spin the wheels to get up a snowy hill, my opinion is that you do not have enough tire for the conditions, and you shouldn't be driving.

I haven't driven my new R56 MCS in the snow yet... well, there was one slightly snowy morning where I was able to do some handbrake turns in the parking lot. But no real snow driving in the R56 yet. But, I have plenty of snow experience with my 2003 Cooper with DSC.

DSC is great in the snow. Traction control is good in the snow.

Why oh why did I get sucked into another DSC thread? I know no good can come of it.