I just noticed that when I disable DSC hill assist doesn't go off. I hold the DSC button for 3 seconds until the light goes on, but then when I'm stopped on a hill, press the clutch in, put it in first, let go of the break the hill assist still holds the car for 2 seconds. Is that normal or does that mean that DSC doesn't really turn off?

 

I don't know for sure, but I can understand how it would be easy to program the DSC unit to disable AST and DSC without disabling Hill Assist.

I turned off the DSC button for an autox, Sunday, and unintentionally burned rubber on lauch of one run. I have LSD. If AST was active I shouldn't have been able to burn rubber to that extent on acceleration.

 

Do you know around what RPM you were at before you launched?

 

Mine does this, too, and it also confused me. Because they explain Hill Assist as being a part of DSC, disabling DSC would logically disable Hill Assist. Apparantly, it isn't the case.

DSC does, in fact, turn off when you hold the button for a few seconds. I find a noticeable difference in throttle response with it on and off. (I've also left a 15-foot patch with the DSC off )

 

You have to order DSC to get Hill Assist because H.A. is done by the DSC computer. It would be my guess that the DSC button does not cut power to the DSC computer. Instead, it just sends it a message that the driver doesn't want DSC or AST to be active. It would have been very easy for MINI to have set up the software to disable DSC and AST without disabling H.A.

DSC wont change your trottle response on acceleration unless it caused you to drift sideways. The more likely culprit is AST (All Season Traction Control). It is the one that monitors wheel spin on acceleration and cuts the engine if both wheels start to spin.

 

I understand that, I've got DSC/HA on mine.

What I mean by throttle response, is that with DSC on, I seem to get a very slight hesitation at about 3000rpm, but with DSC off, the AST can't step in at all, so I don't get said hesitation.

 

When you push your DSC button how do you know if it is on or off? I don't get any indication. Maybe it's broken?

 

Are you holding it down for long enough? It isn't just a quick push, you have to hold the button down for ~3 seconds. You know once it deactivates as the DSC symbol illuminates in the OBC and speedometer, and stays illuminated in the speedo until you turn it back on.

 

Oh, I'll give that a try. Thanks!