[Tex94]

I’m finally at 1200 miles and through the break in period so I am looking forward to more liberal use of sport mode. One of the things I am excited to try is launch control. I’ve never had it before but have seen enough videos to get how to engage it. My question is where do you all do this safely? I’m guessing the track is the only real answer but where in the real world do you do it? Somewhere straight, dry, flat, with few cars around is a given. Do you pull over a stretch of highway somewhere? How much asphalt do I need to have in front of me, 1/4 mile?

Also, is this something that is “legal” on a street or just frowned upon?

[teaston]

Do it at the traffic lights! Every traffic lights!

[GT500R]

Originally Posted by Tex94

I’m finally at 1200 miles and through the break in period so I am looking forward to more liberal use of sport mode. One of the things I am excited to try is launch control. I’ve never had it before but have seen enough videos to get how to engage it. My question is where do you all do this safely? I’m guessing the track is the only real answer but where in the real world do you do it? Somewhere straight, dry, flat, with few cars around is a given. Do you pull over a stretch of highway somewhere? How much asphalt do I need to have in front of me, 1/4 mile?

Also, is this something that is “legal” on a street or just frowned upon?

I would say myself and Pardigmdawg (sp) are the ones that may use this extensively

I try to do it with fewer cars around and not police in the area - so a track is ideal but late at night or early morning works. Make sure you launch on a dry, straight, semi flat surface. You nee about 500 feet (240 or so to hit 60 and then 200 to slow down) in order to make sure enough room is avaialble.

It is legal on the street to use it, but some police may say you were driving recklessly based on the acceleration.

[MechX3M40i]

i've not tried it myself, and i'm afraid that once I get the car launched, my right foot will stay glued to the gas paddle way after the car hits 60mph...

[supersebbo]

Your display says ‘Sport Traction’ in the lower right. I’ve not seen that before. Is it enabled by launch control?

[TajoMan]

Originally Posted by supersebbo

Your display says ‘Sport Traction’ in the lower right. I’ve not seen that before. Is it enabled by launch control?

If you put it in Sport+ mode or turn off DSC by pressing the DSC button, it will show like that.

If you hold DSC for longer than 5 sec, then you will see "'DSC off".

[supersebbo]

Hmmm in my 2019 mode in Sport+ it says

SPORT
PLUS

in the bottom right.

Where is the button to turn traction off?

[MechX3M40i]

Originally Posted by supersebbo

Hmmm in my 2019 mode in Sport+ it says

SPORT
PLUS

in the bottom right.

Where is the button to turn traction off?

I don't think you want to turn traction off. Rather, turn off DSC, which in turn activates traction instead (by short-press DSC button) for Launch Control.

In any event, warm up car before trying.

[Tex94]

Thanks all for the replies. I will find 500 feet of road and let her rip!

On the question of Traction, here’s my understanding. There are several levels of dynamic control. The one that is on as standard is called Dynamic Stability Control and it is intended to keep your vehicle under control in all sorts of driving conditions. If you click your DSC button once then the word “Traction” appears and you have moved from Dynamic Stability Control to “Dynamic Traction Control” or DTC. DTC is a specific form of stability control and is focused on getting your car to move in a straight line forward. You use is for Launch Control or things like driving in sand or snow. If you press and hold the DSC button then you turn all stability control systems off.

[SROC3]

Originally Posted by Tex94

Thanks all for the replies. I will find 500 feet of road and let her rip!

On the question of Traction, here’s my understanding. There are several levels of dynamic control. The one that is on as standard is called Dynamic Stability Control and it is intended to keep your vehicle under control in all sorts of driving conditions. If you click your DSC button once then the word “Traction” appears and you have moved from Dynamic Stability Control to “Dynamic Traction Control” or DTC. DTC is a specific form of stability control and is focused on getting your car to move in a straight line forward. You use is for Launch Control or things like driving in sand or snow. If you press and hold the DSC button then you turn all stability control systems off.

Correct. And if you hold it for more than 10 seconds it turns on "traction plus" - this allows the car to not only grip on take off but burn all 4 wheels out, perfectly balanced, for 5 seconds before full traction and you actually believing what I am saying right now, hee hee....

[ParadigmDawg]

I do mine whenever I feel like...lol...

[supersebbo]

Is it true that using Launch Control before the break-in period can void the waranty?

Is there still a waranty limit on the nubmer of times it can be used (I recall there was on my old Z4).

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by supersebbo

Is it true that using Launch Control before the break-in period can void the waranty?

Is there still a waranty limit on the nubmer of times it can be used (I recall there was on my old Z4).

User manuals state something like the following. (Assume the G01 manual says something similar).

Launch Control

General information
The use of Launch Control causes premature component wear since this function represents a very heavy load for the vehicle.
Do not use Launch Control during the break-in, refer to page ---, period.

Certainly appears to give BMW a lot of wiggle room.

[808ron]

Originally Posted by ParadigmDawg

I do mine whenever I feel like...lol...

How's your car running in the Winter there? your 400HP Monster thread has laid dormant so I have no updates on your setup

[808ron]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

User manuals state something like the following. (Assume the G01 manual says something similar).



Certainly appears to give BMW a lot of wiggle room.

Just added wear and tear but nothing that I can think they would say that voids the warranty but unless you're doing launch control at every light I doubt you'll run into long term issues. After the 100th time it will be out of your system so you save it for special occasions.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by 808ron

Just added wear and tear but nothing that I can think they would say that voids the warranty but unless you're doing launch control at every light I doubt you'll run into long term issues. After the 100th time it will be out of your system so you save it for special occasions.

I suppose for those who are on lease, don't keep vehicles long term, or for high mileage, there isn't much of an issue.

Those who want longevity, there will be a cost somewhere down the line for premature wear. Even if it is simply a need for additional AT oil changes, rather than rely on 'sealed for life'.

[ParadigmDawg]

Originally Posted by 808ron

How's your car running in the Winter there? your 400HP Monster thread has laid dormant so I have no updates on your setup

Something has been off since I had it in for first service. I know they did a firmware update but now I throw codes that I can't delete. It seems to fall on its face at shift points more now than it used to.