ESP on the SXT

**ZMagnum** · 10-07-2005, 12:35 PM

OK, I don't want to upset anyone or get flamed but I have an innocent question. What is the point of turning off ESP on the SXT? It does not really turn it completely off. The RT owners turn it off to do burnouts. I don't think it's that easy to do that on an SXT although I have a few times with my back wheels on concrete but never on standard blacktop. I tried some hard cornering on my SXT with ESP off but it didn't make a difference since the ESP still kicked in anyway.

I really like my SXT and would not want to trade it for anything. If I had the RT I would probably get into a lot more trouble (not that you can't get into trouble with the SXT). My wife has already warned me "if you get a ticket..." So I'm trying to be careful.

**Magman3** · 10-07-2005, 10:46 PM

I turned off my esp the other day and took a turn at 10-15 MPH and punched it and my back tires broke loose. That's the first and only time I've been able to do that in my Mag.

**ZMagnum** · 10-07-2005, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by Magman3

I turned off my esp the other day and took a turn at 10-15 MPH and punched it and my back tires broke loose. That's the first and only time I've been able to do that in my Mag.

OK, maybe I took the turn too fast. I'll try again sometime with ESP off.

**Magman3** · 10-07-2005, 11:52 PM

I honestly could care less if I spin the tires to be honest with you. With the cost of replacing my toyo proxies ($250 a piece) I see it only as a good thing.

**ZMagnum** · 10-08-2005, 12:03 AM

Originally Posted by Magman3

I honestly could care less if I spin the tires to be honest with you. With the cost of replacing my toyo proxies ($250 a piece) I see it only as a good thing.

I'm with you but just trying to figure out the difference between ESP on vs. ESP "sort of" off. I've got a relatively new spare set of 4 SXT wheels and tires so I don't care much what happens to my current tires. I think I want to keep one of them (probably a front) as a spare to replace the donut in the back if that's even possible.

**Fiveoh** · 10-09-2005, 02:08 PM

I might be incorrect, but ESP automatically turns back on when you brake or take aggressive turns. Turning it off allows the computer to use max HP and torque but only for straight line driving. Personally, I don't care about burn outs or off the line speed. I'm more about performance at higher speeds and cornering. I'd rather have passing power at 55 to 75 MPH and take corners aggressively without fear of running off the pavement.

Anyway, I did do a simple gas mileage test on a four hour road trip. I drove four hours, no stops, to another Air Force base with ESP off and cruise control the entire way (designated highway markers from one point to the other). On the return trip I had ESP on with cruise control. I saved approximately a 1/4 of a tank with ESP off.

If you want to disable ESP completely, you will have to pull the associated fuse...I believe it is fuse #17.

**NC-SXT** · 10-09-2005, 03:52 PM

Thats a good observation FIVE0. Could any other factors helped? Thats a pretty good savings. I will have to try it on next trip.

**ZMagnum** · 10-09-2005, 04:13 PM

Interesting observation. I'll have to try that too.

**Fiveoh** · 10-09-2005, 05:24 PM

Well, the highway I drove on for the test was somewhat straight and level. Traffic was almost non-existent...never had to pass anyone. No wind that day, either way. I did have two suitcases in the back, wife and two kids with associated gear for traveling.

As I mentioned...it was "approximately 1/4 tank", just slightly under. I didn't calculate the MPG, but it was a very visible difference. When I filled up the tank each way, my Mag was exactly at half a tank. I did that to get a close baseline to start. Added the exact same amount of gallons before heading out and recorded the mileage on both trips and when I arrived at the recorded mileage on my return trip I looked at the gas gauge.

I know this isn't a very professional or scientific result, I was just interested to see how much difference ESP made on long trips. From my meager observations, it seems ESP affects mpg.

Oh, I have a SXT AWD version...not sure how much difference would be noticed on SXT RWD's.

**magnum guy** · 10-12-2005, 01:26 AM

this is very interesting....i drive my mag as a service vehicle(might as well work in style...lol) and always turn it off, as i live in a dry climate anyway. i always seem to get pretty good gas mileage.....maybe thats why????

**ZMagnum** · 10-12-2005, 02:04 AM

Originally Posted by magnum guy

this is very interesting....i drive my mag as a service vehicle(might as well work in style...lol) and always turn it off, as i live in a dry climate anyway. i always seem to get pretty good gas mileage.....maybe thats why????

I keep forgetting to turn it off. :neutral:

**snow_mag** · 10-12-2005, 12:43 PM

It seems odd that ESP-off would increase mileage. I thought that the system would be inactive unless pushed to correct the driver's actions. But to keep an open mind, next road trip I'll give it a try.

Being in a winter climate, ESP is a life saver even in a V-6 car. Any LX in snow and ice would be plain dangerous without traction control. I see the ESP light a lot. (For six months a year my SXT is as fast as any RT - and the AWDs trump us all.)

**Angry_Pickle** · 10-12-2005, 02:04 PM

Odd. When I turn it off on mine, it stays off.

I turn it off occasionally when I'm feeling like a nuttball.

Taking turns for example. With it on when the tires start to slip it takes away my power from me.

With it off, the engine remains unaffected and the tire slips freely. I love taking corners like this

muwahahahahaha

I've never had it turn back on on me.

**ZMagnum** · 10-12-2005, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by Angry_Pickle

Odd. When I turn it off on mine, it stays off.

I turn it off occasionally when I'm feeling like a nuttball.

Taking turns for example. With it on when the tires start to slip it takes away my power from me.

With it off, the engine remains unaffected and the tire slips freely. I love taking corners like this

muwahahahahaha

I've never had it turn back on on me.

So it stays off even after you stop and restart the Mag? Mine only stays off as long as I don't stop and start it again.

Am I doing it right? It's off (press ESP Off button) when the amber car skidding light turns on, right? So when the amber car skidding light is off ESP is fully on. I think that's right.

**magnum guy** · 10-12-2005, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by zxlwno

So it stays off even after you stop and restart the Mag? Mine only stays off as long as I don't stop and start it again.

Am I doing it right? It's off (press ESP Off button) when the amber car skidding light turns on, right? So when the amber car skidding light is off ESP is fully on. I think that's right.

it stays off until you shut down , then it resets....it just a thing i do now....like shifting into gear...