In the S60 brochure it mentions that DSTC comes with a "Sport Mode" that can be activated via Sensus. What is this exactly and what does it do? Does it just turn off the TC? Does it make a big difference in actual driving dynamics? Does anyone use this?
DSTC Sport Mode
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Thanks for the explanation, sounds fair.
Here is a related question about computer controlled stability: I have a 2004 S60R which handles wonderfully on dry roads and on snow packed roads, but on a road that is mostly dry, but with patches of snow or ice, each time I drive over a slick spot, the car feels like the rear wheels have lost control. It is too slight to see, but it certainly feels like the car is about to go into an uncontrolled spin. Is this the normal "feel" for this car, with DSTC, or is my DSTC malfunctioning? I have never lost control of the car, but it scares the beegesus out of me.
Ask in the R forum maybe?
Are you driving over the slick spot on all four tires? Or only one side? Are you driving in a straight line when this happens, or are you cornering? Has the car actually gone into a large enough slip angle that as soon as you get back on dry pavement the car "snaps" and pulls you out of your lane? Also, DSTC isn't magic, you still need to countersteer. DSTC will try to point you in the direction you are turning. If you are pointing the wheel straight ahead but your car is spinning, DSTC won't try to do much.
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If DSTC was malfuntioning, you would certainly lose control of the car. A side, rear, hop was a characteristic of the P2 S60 chassis. Plus, I wonder if your 4C module is malfunctioning and/or needs a software update.
If DSTC "malfunctions," it's supposed to disable itself so that's never an issue.
Sunkid, what you're experiencing is just rear-end torque steer common with Haldex and Volvo's suspension geometry. People tend to associate torque steer with FWD, but torque steer can occur at the rear wheels. It's simply not considered a design problem because it isn't caused by the same engineering limitations and it doesn't send any feedback through the steering column (so the driver doesn't need to fight back to maintain control).
Have you ever seen a very high power RWD car do a burnout and noticed the way the rear end will fishtail? This happens because traction where the wheel contacts the road surface is uneven from side to side, resulting in an uneven torque split. This is what is happening to you, but with Haldex AWD the torque to the rear wheels is cut off as soon as the difference in traction is detected and you don't need to do anything to compensate. It can be a bit unsettling, but it's not particularly dangerous.
Sunkid, what you're experiencing is just rear-end torque steer common with Haldex and Volvo's suspension geometry. People tend to associate torque steer with FWD, but torque steer can occur at the rear wheels. It's simply not considered a design problem because it isn't caused by the same engineering limitations and it doesn't send any feedback through the steering column (so the driver doesn't need to fight back to maintain control).
Have you ever seen a very high power RWD car do a burnout and noticed the way the rear end will fishtail? This happens because traction where the wheel contacts the road surface is uneven from side to side, resulting in an uneven torque split. This is what is happening to you, but with Haldex AWD the torque to the rear wheels is cut off as soon as the difference in traction is detected and you don't need to do anything to compensate. It can be a bit unsettling, but it's not particularly dangerous.
On a slightly different note, does anyone know if there is a way to increase steering wheel resistance/weighting feel? Does the sport mode either by way of DSTC off, or moving the gear lever into sport offer this. I tried this but noticed no difference and could not find any documentation on such a feature. I find the DriveE FWD steering to be quite light.
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You can adjust, see here http://esd.volvocars.com/local/us/2014-Volvo-S60-Owners-Manual.pdf towards the end of page 199. It does not make the steering any more communicative, just heavier. Mine is set to high. This is independent of sport mode or anything else
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That is what I wrote.
Excellent. Thanks for providing the exact location will try out heavy.
[emoji106] hopefully the same for T5' s will confirm soon.
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Not trying to derail the current thread but I have a related question that this thread seems the most applicable place to ask.
I bought a 2011 s60 T6 awd about 7 months ago from Carmax and finally took it to the Volvo dealership for the first time over Thanksgiving break. Previously when I would change to geartronic, it would automatically be in the applicable gear in manual mode, never first going to sport mode. Since I got my car back from the dealership it automatically starts in sport mode (not the DSTC sport light on the dash as pictured above, but rather an "S" where I normally would have seen what gear I'm in) rather than going straight to "manual". I'm just curious as to the cause of the change. It seems something was "fixed", but I'm just not sure what. Possibly a software update since who knows when it was last taken to a Volvo dealership? Any suggestions are appreciated.
I bought a 2011 s60 T6 awd about 7 months ago from Carmax and finally took it to the Volvo dealership for the first time over Thanksgiving break. Previously when I would change to geartronic, it would automatically be in the applicable gear in manual mode, never first going to sport mode. Since I got my car back from the dealership it automatically starts in sport mode (not the DSTC sport light on the dash as pictured above, but rather an "S" where I normally would have seen what gear I'm in) rather than going straight to "manual". I'm just curious as to the cause of the change. It seems something was "fixed", but I'm just not sure what. Possibly a software update since who knows when it was last taken to a Volvo dealership? Any suggestions are appreciated.
I know when turning off DTSC, I can spin the tires a far amount and get it past 45 degrees sideways. It was my understanding it basically reduced traction control but after a minute of continually spinning it would completely disable traction control to save the brakes. Sport mode just sharpens the shifts, increases sensitivity on the gas pedal, and holds gears longer.
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DSTC never turns off; it gets a reduced function but never completely off.
Mine has the same history (I've owned my 2011 since new). When delivered, it did not
have Sport mode for the transmission (that was introduced in model year 2012). Pushing
the gear shift over was just manual shift mode when I goth the car. After a software
update during regular service it then had Sport mode.
So, you have the latest software and features and now have Sport mode (where
sport mode is more aggressive shifting and faster throttle response but it still
shifts for itself). As soon as you manually select a gear by pushing forward or
backwards, it will then be in manual mode (with the same throttle response as
Sport mode).
Note that in manual mode it will still up-shift at redline. In addition, if you are in
manual mode and push the throttle down far enough to engage the kick-down
switch it will downshift. It will also reset to first gear a few seconds after coming
to a full stop. So manual mode is not 100% manual mode.
Also, try this, with the car not running push the throttle down
in a smooth gentle motion. You will get to the end of the throttle travel. Then
push it a bit more and feel a switch. That is the kick-down switch. It is quite
stiff on Volvo's and it is easy to drive one for some time and never realize it is there
(especially with a T6 which really doesn't even need to downshift with all that torque).
>Possibly a software update since who knows when it was last taken to a Volvo dealership? Any suggestions are appreciated.
2011's came with 5 year/60K safe and secure (mine is still under this all free service) so it is
odd it would not have seen a dealer since all service was free (that covers everything except
tires). Perhaps the dealer that originally serviced it did not do the software updates? If you
are curious, your current dealer can look up the service history if it has been dealer serviced
by the previous owner and give you the full history that Volvo has on record (dealers can
see the work history done by other dealers).
have Sport mode for the transmission (that was introduced in model year 2012). Pushing
the gear shift over was just manual shift mode when I goth the car. After a software
update during regular service it then had Sport mode.
So, you have the latest software and features and now have Sport mode (where
sport mode is more aggressive shifting and faster throttle response but it still
shifts for itself). As soon as you manually select a gear by pushing forward or
backwards, it will then be in manual mode (with the same throttle response as
Sport mode).
Note that in manual mode it will still up-shift at redline. In addition, if you are in
manual mode and push the throttle down far enough to engage the kick-down
switch it will downshift. It will also reset to first gear a few seconds after coming
to a full stop. So manual mode is not 100% manual mode.
Also, try this, with the car not running push the throttle down
in a smooth gentle motion. You will get to the end of the throttle travel. Then
push it a bit more and feel a switch. That is the kick-down switch. It is quite
stiff on Volvo's and it is easy to drive one for some time and never realize it is there
(especially with a T6 which really doesn't even need to downshift with all that torque).
>Possibly a software update since who knows when it was last taken to a Volvo dealership? Any suggestions are appreciated.
2011's came with 5 year/60K safe and secure (mine is still under this all free service) so it is
odd it would not have seen a dealer since all service was free (that covers everything except
tires). Perhaps the dealer that originally serviced it did not do the software updates? If you
are curious, your current dealer can look up the service history if it has been dealer serviced
by the previous owner and give you the full history that Volvo has on record (dealers can
see the work history done by other dealers).
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I wish there was a button for sport mode. Kind of annoying to have to go into a menu for it.
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Sport mode is enabled by pushing the transmission lever to the left. No menu diving needed.
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191 Posts
Yes sorry I meant DTSC.
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