Driving modes - no difference?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 1
From: Texas
St. Jude Donor '09
I can tell a huge difference in my 99 between the softest and firmest settings.
I use the firmest setting on smooth highways when cruising around 70 because it really stiffens the ride up. 70 mph on the soft setting is almost scary because the steering wheel is "floaty".
Around town I definitely use the softest setting, as it is much more forgiving with bumps and potholes.
I use the firmest setting on smooth highways when cruising around 70 because it really stiffens the ride up. 70 mph on the soft setting is almost scary because the steering wheel is "floaty".
Around town I definitely use the softest setting, as it is much more forgiving with bumps and potholes.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 30,770
Likes: 41
From: Down the Shore New Jersey, Elev.3 feet
St. Jude Donor '17
There really is a difference. Not very noticeable, but it is there. Touring is softer, and performance is harder. To feel the difference for yourself, go out and find a series of decent bumps in the road... I've noticed it most on bridges where there is a pretty good size expansion joint that you really feel when driving over it... drive over the bridge in Touring, then do it in Performance. Performance is DEFINITELY firmer... the shocks simply do NOT cushion as well (ie. they are stiffer). Try entering the bridge on Perf., then switch to Touring while you're still on the bridge before you go over the other joint. There is a difference!
Now as for feeling a difference while spirited driving, well, I always have mine set to Perf, but I know its working. How much its actually doing (helping).... I can't say exactly. When I go out with Peter Pan and the rest of the Lost Boys out in the Texas Hill Country, I always switch it to Perf. But twice now, I've left the switch set to Perf. and noticed it was stiffer than normal on the way back home... both times I've noticed it when crossing bridges... switch it to Touring, and sure enough, its softer again.
Now as for feeling a difference while spirited driving, well, I always have mine set to Perf, but I know its working. How much its actually doing (helping).... I can't say exactly. When I go out with Peter Pan and the rest of the Lost Boys out in the Texas Hill Country, I always switch it to Perf. But twice now, I've left the switch set to Perf. and noticed it was stiffer than normal on the way back home... both times I've noticed it when crossing bridges... switch it to Touring, and sure enough, its softer again.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 288
Likes: 2
From: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
however, my testing, and the testing so far from most people who commented, has been on the straight aways... Maybe this feature is more contrasted in other driving conditions- like Hayman described.
Last edited by Bloodvette; Apr 18, 2008 at 01:11 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I'm in agreement with the crowd
My SRTD switch is redundant. If I'm on a bumpy back road the hard settings make the bumps transmit harder into the cockpit but no discernable difference in handling even on the twisty backroads in England.
Never driven it but I hear the F55 is a big improvement.
My SRTD switch is redundant. If I'm on a bumpy back road the hard settings make the bumps transmit harder into the cockpit but no discernable difference in handling even on the twisty backroads in England.
Never driven it but I hear the F55 is a big improvement.
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 179
Likes: 1
From: NJ
I have an `03 AE with the F55 and there is a very discernible difference, even at and maybe especially at lower speeds. My home street is very badly in need of repair, having gone through new water pipe installations over the last year. Travelling at 10-15 mph in the tour setting the front spoiler takes a beating, but in the sport setting it doesn't. At higher speeds on a smooth road I love the sport setting, but when the going gets rough the touring setting smoothes the road. As noted above the Corvette Action Center article is a great read if you want some in depth info.