Ok so I drive a 2000 FRC...

I always figured to get into competitive driving mode you hold down the active handling button for 5 seconds...

"Hold down the Active Handling button for 5 sec. to engage “Competitive Driving” on cars equipped with active handling (2000 and previous years must be stopped.)"

Now I have tried doing this about 100 times... All my car does is say "Active Handling On", or "Traction Off."

I have tried it with my car on, car off, car in neutral, car in reverse, car with E brake on, and I have tried all of this while holding down the button for 10 seconds.

Now either I am an absolute fool and have missed something... Or my car is broken... Or my car doesn't have competitive driving mode?

HELPPPPPPPPP

 

Its simple. Your car is turned ON, in idle. Leave it in Neutral, push on the button, and keep it pressed hard for 10 seconds or so...

Mine's a 99, and I press it for 10 seonds, or so... I dont count them, but it finally kicks in, and it will say "competetive driving" on the screen. Just try it. It should work, that is if you HAVE this option. It was an option.

 

I tried that. I must not have the option or something. Even though I thought if you have active handling you would have competitive driving. I guess not?

 

Check the RPO #'s in the glove box. Active Handling is JL4 and it was an option. If it's not listed there you don't have it. As i recall the Competive Driving sign doesn't come on for very long and every time you turn the engine off it goes back to the regular mode.

PS IF you don't have active handling, when you turn off the TC you should be in the same mode as Competive Driving because that switch doesn't turn off Active handling if you do have it. It just turns off the TC and maintains the AH. TC is all about the real wheel traction and whether or not TC kicks in if you start to spin a wheel. AH is about braking through a computer to help prevent oversteering or under and help you stop what might be a rear end swap coming.
Hope that helps.

 

Alright Ill check that tomorrow and see whats up. Thanks.

 

I added to original post. Basically if you don't have AH you should be in a competitive mode too when you turn off the TC. It just doesn't tell you that so you can't tell people it adds 10 extra hp...lol...I'm just guessing but it seems logical

 

Ok, this probably sounds like a dumb question to yall, but what is the different in Traction Control OFF and Competitive Driving mode? Are they basically the same thing?

 

No they are not the same. Competitive Driving mode turns OFF the traction control but keeps the active handling on. With the traction control off (not competitive mode), you lose both TC and AH.

 

Thank you Bounty Hunter! Slowly but surely I am getting to know my vette a little better!

 

What's the difference between AH and AH in comp mode? Not sure I follow? I.e. what's the difference between AH and traction control you speak of.

Thanks.

 

Snitz, Im glad you asked...I am a little confused myself as well..

 

Competitive driving lets you smoke the tires but will help you in turns to not loose control ,its basically less control then when active handling is on. You get to play a little more ...

 

Active handling RPO JL4 was introduced mid '98 as an option (and in 2001, it was enhanced and became standard equipment).

"The Corvette Active Handling system is a logical next step in the evolution of enhanced chassis control systems like ABS brakes and traction control. Working in close concert with those other two systems, Active Handling enhances the accident avoidance capabilities of the already nimble Corvette. It will be offered as an option (JL4) on all 1998-1/2 Corvette models. Additionally, it will be a required option on replicas of the '98 Corvette convertible Indy 500 Pace Car."

Here's the rest of the article that explains it -

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...ehandling.html

Here's another article -

http://www.idavette.net/hib/ah1.htm

 

Thanks for the info!

 

The car MUST NOT be moving to activate. 01 and newer you could activate CM while moving.

 

Is there a way to have the rest of the info displayed on your digital readout or must we only see competition mode when it is activated??

I would like to see temps etc. while competition mode is activated.

 

When the Competitive Driving phrase is displayed on the DIC - you should be able to hit RESET and then display anything you want to display.....

 

Have tried that numerous times and no change in the readout. Is there a specific length of time to reset I have not tried? I have hit the reset for up to 15 seconds before.

 

Thanks blacksedan for the articles. My car had the video so was aware of the AH feature and theory. I did not however realize there was an off position that would turn the AH off, as in the article you posted, just thought it went to Competitive Driving with the AH on and the TC off.

Think this is the short answer if some didn't read the articles....as to the turning off an on anyway(doesn't hurt to read the whole article). Thanks again

Competitive Driving Mode
The Corvette Active Handling system will be the first of its type to offer dual mode operation. In addition to an "OFF" mode, in which Active Handling is disabled, the system also allows the driver to select a "COMPETITIVE DRIVING" mode for autocross or gymkhana competitions. In this mode, the Active Handling system remains fully-functional -- measuring steering, yaw rate and lateral acceleration inputs as well as applying individual wheel brakes as required -- but the traction control system is disabled, allowing for some wheelspin and oversteer that skilled drivers often find beneficial in competitive driving.

Summary of Active Handling System Modes

ON - Active Handling is automatically enabled when the car is started. This is also true of the ABS brake and traction control systems.


OFF - Like traction control, the Active Handling system may be manually turned off if the driver so desires. This is not true of the ABS brake system which is always enabled.


COMPETITIVE DRIVING - In this mode, Active Handling and ABS are both enabled, but traction control is shut off.
The "OFF" and "COMPETITIVE DRIVING" modes are important features on a high-performance sports car like the Corvette. As mentioned earlier, skilled drivers may find that some wheelspin and oversteer can be beneficial to their lap times in competitive events, and the Corvette system allows them to operate the car in this fashion when appropriate. Chevrolet recommends against selecting these modes for street use.

Limitations
The overall effectiveness of the Corvette Active Handling system, or any similar system, is directly related to available tire traction and the aggressiveness of a given maneuver. Active Handling is designed to work to use existing traction to assist the driver -- but it cannot overcome the laws of physics. The Active Handling system reacts only in extreme situations, and special care should be taken when the system does activate because it's a clear signal that vehicle or tire limits are being exceeded.

 

Thats REALLY good info! Thanks!