Firstly, don't forget you have two safety features on the Vette, traction control and active handling. Going into competitive mode keeps the active handling live but turns the traction control off. Hitting the button turns both off. I guess you know the difference between each feature.

You're right, turning off the TCS is no big deal. If you're driving big old wide open US highways you maybe don't even need it unless you're doing something really dumb with the throttle, brakes or steering. Up to that point we agree but......................

Not all roads are 6 lane highways.

The Vette has (at least) 350HP sent straight to a live axle. Not the most modern technology for handling. Most performance car manufacturers ditched that technology years ago but with the right control systems it still works well. But put that power straight down and try to do anything other than go straight and the car will wriggle. Again, no problem if you're expecting it but not great if you're not.

The trouble is if you get into the habit of not using it, you won't notice for a while but the day when the road conditions are bad, the lights fading, someone does something dumb and puts you in a position you don't want to be, you get a failure that distracts you................. need I go on? ............... but that's the time you go past the safe limit and flip the car. This Forum is littered with stories where the car "outdrove the driver".

Like you, and probably everyone here, I thought I was God's gift to driving when I was 21. My skills nearly equaled my ambitions at times They've improved now but mainly because I drive defensively and I know my limits a little better. But even after nearly 40 years driving I still get it wrong sometimes. My AH has a problem (bad SWPS) and often kicks out. In true "Sods Law" style it did it when I least expected it just when I was trying to pass a slow car. I came off a bend, saw a chance to overtake a car which was doing only 40 mph, hit the gas and as I pulled alongside the back end broke away on a slightly wet road. I wasn't anywhere close to the limits. It was a bright day and it was a maneuver I'd done hundreds of times before. If I'd tapped the guy who knows what could have happened. That was with no AH but TCS still engaged ( a failure mode and not one you can select).

This car has safety features for a reason so why not use them? If you inhibit them to carry out specific maneuvers or to get the performance on a track, that's great. For regular street driving they WILL save your *** one of these days.

As always JMHO.

 

Why does everyone think I plan on keeping TC off all the time? Did I ever even imply that? no

I am talking about turning it off for a short time for some "spirited" driving.

 

Haven't heard of anyone becoming a Colonel at age 21 since the Civil War. Or are you a " Kentucky Colonel."

 

It's a carry over from a different forum where it made more sense.

 

In that case you're absolutely right. Turning it off, spinning the tires and turning it back on again is really no problem at all. It's what you do when it's turned off thats important.

Feel free to ignore the advice but it's offered in a spirit of trying to keep you safe to enjoy your car.

 

Well Colonel, it seems that you have the superman syndrome and are indistructible. I just hope that when you lose it that you don't seriously hurt a family or even kill someone. If you look at some old posts, you will notice that quite a few CF members have ended up dead from playing this game. I know, you can handle it, it's everyone else that can't. Good luck.

 

But then we are older and wiser.

 

Yes sir you must. Hit PARK in your car, and after that hold on to the T/C button in your center console for five secconds give or take one. The COMPETITIVE DRIVING mode will flash on your dash. It feels just a tad bit safer than not having any aid when the car decides to go kaput.

 

But the car needs to be fitted with active handling to be able to go into competitive mode. It was an option on early C5s so some didn't have AH. It came in as standard with the 00 model

 

It doesn't have park, it's a MN6. Does it have to be in neutral? Cause I have tried it when it was in gear but not moving. I tried it several times I counted to 12 sec each time, and nothing. I just tried it in the garage too. I turned the car to on and put it in neutral and nothing. I'll try it tomorrow with it running and in neutral.

 

oh, true, yet his is a 2K model?

 

2001 according to wiki

mines a 2K

 

2000. Check out the last paragraph of the press release:

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...2000press.html

Check your RPO codes. AH was JL4 if its fitted

 

"the optional Active Handling System is available on all corvette models"

 

I stand corrected 2001 it is

Looks like you dont have AH then. Check your RPO codes and you'll be able to find out. If you hold the button down and it doesn't go into Competitive Mode, it's not fitted.

 

X2 I must be sleepy.

 

Leave it on until your driving skills improve I do

 

Yeah I just checked, no JL4. Must not have it.

Thanks for your help

 

No trouble

 

[QUOTE=DeeGee;1573962943]
The Vette has (at least) 350HP sent straight to a live axle. Not the most modern technology for handling. Most performance car manufacturers ditched that technology years ago but with the right control systems it still works well. But put that power straight down and try to do anything other than go straight and the car will wriggle.

???? And what technology are you referring to .? Last time I looked the live axle took a hike many years ago in the vette??? I'm confused