Nonsense, mine has been compensating for my driving for years now. 
Competitive Driving Mode?
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Competitive Driving Mode?
Hey guys, I just got a 2001 A4 Conv. and I was messing around with active handling and found out something called competitive driving!
I remember lurking around on here and seeing this called up a few times but I forget why.
I was at the bar on Saturday with some friends and they said oh no, competitive driving causes the car to crash and things like that.
I think it disables TC while still keeping Active Handling on, am I right?
Is there an issue with this system or is just how I drive it?
Thanks.
I remember lurking around on here and seeing this called up a few times but I forget why.
I was at the bar on Saturday with some friends and they said oh no, competitive driving causes the car to crash and things like that.
I think it disables TC while still keeping Active Handling on, am I right?
Is there an issue with this system or is just how I drive it?
Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,167
Likes: 55
From: Kempner TX
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
You are correct for the most part. However.... it can be "overdriven" if you will and you can still wreck the car if you dont know what you are doing. No computer is perfect.
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
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From what I understand the TC is de-activated and the Active Handling is a little less intrusive to allow some spirited driving. It won't compensate for stupid though 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
If you can find an open place to practice take the car out and try it in the three modes. See how comp mode reacts to an understeering car and an oversteering car. When the car is understeering the inside rear brake is applied and when it is oversteering the outside front brake is applied. At slower speeds the dead band is wide and it narrows as speed increases. Once you learn how it works you can actually use it to your advantage.
Bill
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 1,818
Here's a nice summary of the 3 settings that I recently read:
Summary of Active Handling System Modes
Three different modes are provided in the Active Handling System:
ON — Active Handling is automatically enabled when the vehicle is started. This is also true of the ABS and Traction Control systems.
OFF — Like Traction Control, the Active Handling System may be manually disabled if the driver so desires. This is not true of the ABS, which is always enabled.
COMPETITIVE DRIVING — In this mode, Active Handling and ABS are both enabled, but Traction Control is disabled.
The "OFF" and "COMPETITIVE DRIVING" modes are important features on a high-performance sports car, as skilled drivers may find that some wheelspin and oversteer can be beneficial to their lap times in competitive events. The Corvette's system allows them to operate the car in this fashion when appropriate, although Chevrolet recommends against selecting these modes for street use.
Summary of Active Handling System Modes
Three different modes are provided in the Active Handling System:
ON — Active Handling is automatically enabled when the vehicle is started. This is also true of the ABS and Traction Control systems.
OFF — Like Traction Control, the Active Handling System may be manually disabled if the driver so desires. This is not true of the ABS, which is always enabled.
COMPETITIVE DRIVING — In this mode, Active Handling and ABS are both enabled, but Traction Control is disabled.
The "OFF" and "COMPETITIVE DRIVING" modes are important features on a high-performance sports car, as skilled drivers may find that some wheelspin and oversteer can be beneficial to their lap times in competitive events. The Corvette's system allows them to operate the car in this fashion when appropriate, although Chevrolet recommends against selecting these modes for street use.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver Washington
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 4
From: Brookfield Wisconsin
Competitive driving mode is like driving an old school muscle car that has ABS and some Active handling if you get too crazy.
Turning it off is not stupid, it is just like driving a real muscle car, the car will do what ever you want. Muscle cars are still around because people could drive them.
People say leave it on cause they truly cant handle the power and only can drive if the computer helps them, thank god our cars dont have automatic steering or lots of people would just be passengers and let the car drive them.
Mine is always on cause I forget to install my Laptrax Controller to keep it always off.
Turning it off is not stupid, it is just like driving a real muscle car, the car will do what ever you want. Muscle cars are still around because people could drive them.
People say leave it on cause they truly cant handle the power and only can drive if the computer helps them, thank god our cars dont have automatic steering or lots of people would just be passengers and let the car drive them.
Mine is always on cause I forget to install my Laptrax Controller to keep it always off.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 159
From: Lafayette Louisiana
To see the difference:
* In normal mode which is on when you first start the car, make a straight full power standing start. Wheels may spin a bit, but not much. Car will stay straight and you will probably sense engine is losing power (it is).
* Press and release the Active Handling button. Message will display Trac/Active Hndling off. Do the same full power start. Wheels will spin according to how much traction you have. Car may go sideways and you might wind up in a ditch.
* Press and hold the Active Handling button. In a few seconds the message Competitive Driving will display. In this mode Traction Control is disabled. However Active Handling remains active. Wheels will spin but you should notice side to side is more easily controlled.
ABS is unaffected by any of these settings. It is always on.
Watch your revs with Active Handling OFF or Competitive Driving modes. Don't blow your engine or burn your shoes off.
Have fun!
* In normal mode which is on when you first start the car, make a straight full power standing start. Wheels may spin a bit, but not much. Car will stay straight and you will probably sense engine is losing power (it is).
* Press and release the Active Handling button. Message will display Trac/Active Hndling off. Do the same full power start. Wheels will spin according to how much traction you have. Car may go sideways and you might wind up in a ditch.
* Press and hold the Active Handling button. In a few seconds the message Competitive Driving will display. In this mode Traction Control is disabled. However Active Handling remains active. Wheels will spin but you should notice side to side is more easily controlled.
ABS is unaffected by any of these settings. It is always on.
Watch your revs with Active Handling OFF or Competitive Driving modes. Don't blow your engine or burn your shoes off.
Have fun!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 159
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Just joking.As far as I know, Active Handling modes do not change anything to do with rev limiting. Just sayin, don't blow your engine to see what traction control does. An tires are 'spensive too.
