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DSC Light issues

Discuss the problems with your X5 (E53).
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rbell11
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DSC Light issues

Post by rbell11 » Fri Apr 22, 2011 3:23 pm

Had my tracking and alignment adusted last weekend only to discover 2 rear tyres were heavily worn again on inside edge. Had 2 new budget tyres fitted on Monday and then did not use the car as I was away. On Wednesday I had a 300 mile round trip and felt the car was very vague and floaty at higher speeds, then noticed that DSC light coming on going round fast corners (motorway intersections) and could feel the car making adjustments.

Not had this before and unless it has been snowing I have not seen the DSC light on, it was really dry so wondering what the problem could be. Went back to have the alignment rechecked and the guys had to readjust the settings. DSC light still coming on this time going round more normal street corners, any ideas what might be wrong?

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rbell11
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Re: DSC Light issues

Post by rbell11 » Thu Apr 28, 2011 12:28 pm

Bump
Now improved on streets but going round big motorway intersections at 70 the DSC activates and slows me down - never used to happen - anyone have any clues? :headbang:
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Re: DSC Light issues

Post by X5Sport » Thu Apr 28, 2011 1:08 pm

No sign of low tyre pressures on anything? That might cause excessive yaw rates which will upset the system. If the car feels 'vague' then I would certainly have a look at the tyre pressures as a starter for 10. I think they should be 31/32psi from memory.

I think the DSC works by looking at yaw rate, roll angles (via the on-board gyros - yes it does have at least one), 'g-load' (from somewhere like the gyro's again) and wheel speed rotation variants (from the ABS). If one or more of these fall outside the 'envelope' of the DSC then it will activate by putting on the brakes and cutting power.

I'm assuming the steering and tracking components have all been fully tightened after the tracking adjustments? Did they do all four corners?
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Re: DSC Light issues

Post by rbell11 » Thu Apr 28, 2011 3:40 pm

Thanks for the suggestions
I assume having done it twice that they have tightened everything up. Yes 4 wheel alignment but they could not adjust rear toe in etc only camber.
I think the guy putting the new tyres on said he was going for 36psi (they are 22's) perhaps I should drop those to 32??

Will see if that helps.
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Re: DSC Light issues

Post by X5Sport » Thu Apr 28, 2011 3:53 pm

Of course there's always the possibility that 70mph round a roundabout on bazookki 'Ditchfinders' is just too quick and the DSC objects? :P :poke:

No idea about tyre pressures for 22" rims - are they listed on the pressures plate inside the drivers door aperture?
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Re: DSC Light issues

Post by Turks » Fri Apr 29, 2011 4:02 am

Pressure is the same no matter the size of the rims.


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Re: DSC Light issues

Post by B1G JV » Fri Apr 29, 2011 6:25 am

What make of 'budget tyres' did you put on the car? The tyres themselves can make more difference than some realise. I bought a newly refurbished set of alloys for my M5 as I didn't like the 20" Continentals exploding every month, the wheels i bought came with 'Fullrun' rubber, brand new tyres fitted by previous owner. I nicknamed these tyres 'death tyres'..................................... 25mph round a 70 deg bend and the back and front end would slide in the wet with no power on. in the dry i could manage about 50mph. Put ANY power down and DSC light thought it was at a disco...................

Hope you didn't buy 'Fullrun - Death Tyres'

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Re: DSC Light issues

Post by rbell11 » Fri Apr 29, 2011 1:44 pm

The tyres are rotalla - very good reviews of them online, certainly no death warnings such as those for Fullrun. Perhaps it is those? I am not doing 70 round any roundabouts, just on really big long turns joining motorways - not driving any quicker than I used to but the car does not like something. :thumbsdown:

Going to drop the pressures to 32 at the back and see if that is having an effect. Fingers crossed.
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Re: DSC Light issues

Post by rbell11 » Thu May 19, 2011 9:04 pm

I take it all back, Bazooki ditchdiggers is right :headbang: it rained for the first time this weekend since fitting the chinese rubber, and the DSC light was having a field day. Decided to return and swapped for 2 part worn Nexen - had those on before and so far so good. Not vague and no DSC light

I accept the error of my ways :telloff: and for the record Rotala F110 - never ever consider these tyres if you value your life as well as your X
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Re: DSC Light issues

Post by X5Sport » Thu May 19, 2011 9:37 pm

No harm done - except possibly your pride, heart-rate and wallet!! And much more importantly it wasn't the 'X' that had a fault.

Interesting how something like rubber can make such a huge difference though. Years ago I had a Vauxhall Calibra (Oi! Stop laughing Sanj) which came with some make of tyre named 'FireHawk'. Can't remember if they were Goodyear, Firestone or Conti, but they were fantastic in the dry and absolutely bl@@dy lethal if there was even a hint of wet weather. Changed to Dunlop SP4 and absolutely fine in all weathers.

Same with the Honda VFR800 VTEC Bike I used to have - if I didn't fit the OEM Brigestone rubber then wet weather was likely to result in an 'off'.

Tyres, brakes and oils are the main areas I never go cheap on, just in case.
Last edited by X5Sport on Fri May 20, 2011 7:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: DSC Light issues

Post by Raj » Fri May 20, 2011 7:33 am

Glad you found the issue.

Tyres are such a significant part of the car and it does make HUGE differences to the ride, noise and handling of any car. I never opt for full budget tyres as at the end of the day these 4 small patches of rubber are the only thing trying to keep you on the road and trying to put all the weight and power down.
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Re: DSC Light issues

Post by gobiman » Sat May 21, 2011 5:34 pm

Just replaced my rears (Bridgestone Duellers) and they were heavily worn on inside shoulders. Guy at tyre shop suggested it is typical of the X5 due to negative camber. He said that there is little one can do about it.
I'll keep an eye on the new ones!
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Re: DSC Light issues

Post by tombs » Thu May 26, 2011 8:50 am

[quote=""Raj""]Glad you found the issue.

Tyres are such a significant part of the car and it does make HUGE differences to the ride, noise and handling of any car. I never opt for full budget tyres as at the end of the day these 4 small patches of rubber are the only thing trying to keep you on the road and trying to put all the weight and power down.[/quote]

Spot on, a good measure of a tyre company is what they are involved with in motorsport, Toyo produce great track/competition tyres, Michelin, Pirelli & Conti continue to develop tyres for F1, Rallying and Le Mans, Hancook and Maxxis for the rally cross and drifting market. Their research ends up in the Tyres you buy, and on a big car like the X5 you have to have a good tyre to help you keep safe on the road! :driving:

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DSC Light issues

Post by wilkoturbo » Thu May 26, 2011 9:48 am

Calibra! I had 2 plus the mighty 4x4 turbo 300bhp loved every min of them cars :)
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