What does a.s.c. do exactly?
 

New to 318ti's,just got a 98 m-sport and as far as i can tell the asc either isnt working or doesnt do anything really.Indicator light has flashed on occasion in the rain but whats the deal here.
Im coming fro
im a 73 2002 so educate me please.
Thanks,
sam

Thats traction control, it flashed on in the rain because you lost grip somewhere and it kicked in.

ASC is supposed to decrease engine power and apply brakes to the spinning wheel to try and transmit power to the non-spinning wheel. In reality, it seems to cut engine power more than anything else in a 318ti application but worked ok for me in the rain and snow, just not designed for any type of "enthusiastic" driving.:rolleyes:

I always thought ASC stood for A Sexy Car. And the "-T" stood for, without a trunk.

On the ti, the stock ASC system does the following:

1. Speed sensors at the front and rear wheels compare data, to be sure you aren't just taking a corner, and monitoring the wheel speeds that way.
2. I am reasonably certain (because I cannot get anyone to confirm/deny this) that the ECU evaluates the speed of the two front wheels, and averages them. it also does the same for the two rear wheels.
3. Then it compares the front and rear average speeds.
4. If the rear speed is higher than the front speed (by some amount), it closes down a secondary throttle in front of the throttle you use with the accelerator pedal. The pedal throttle is normally closed (you apply pressure to open it) and the ASC throttle is normally open, so an actuator applies pressure to close it.
5. The greater the disparity between the rear and front tire speed, the more 'throttling back' the ASC does for you.
6. Pushing the button disables the ASC throttle, and the tires are free to spin (as is the car if you don't have a LSD).

You don't "feel" anything, because it is working well. Basically, it reduces the air to the engine, but uses an independent throttle, so you don't even feel it.

If you want to see it REALLY work, park on some wet grass and try to gun it out of there. You will have your foot to the floor, and the car will be on the verge of stalling...

I suggest installing a LSD and remove the small cable between the secondary throttle and its actuator...:wink:

Also have a read at
http://www.318ti.org/notebook/asc/index.html