Straight and simple 
Competition Driving Mode
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 449
Likes: 8
From: Hayes Virginia
Competition Driving Mode
OK i don't want to sound like a newby or an idiot..But here goes..
I have read the owners manual and know what this does as far as it's intended operation but when I select Competition Driving my engine totally changes the way it sounds and runs. It feels like it has more HP and sounds really healthy. Is this normal or my imagination? Thanks
I have read the owners manual and know what this does as far as it's intended operation but when I select Competition Driving my engine totally changes the way it sounds and runs. It feels like it has more HP and sounds really healthy. Is this normal or my imagination? Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 2
From: Florida
i hate to burst the bubble but comp mopde only allows the car to spin the tires while retaining the life saving benefits of active handling, which cuts spark, reduces fuel and in some cases brakes the wheels and attempts to return the car to a state of control.
i think the changes you are hearing are more related to the motor having the freedom to do all it can without being electronically interrupted.
its news to me if comp mode makes any changes other than allowing wheelspin so i too may be learning something.
i think the changes you are hearing are more related to the motor having the freedom to do all it can without being electronically interrupted.
its news to me if comp mode makes any changes other than allowing wheelspin so i too may be learning something.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 84
From: . New York
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 2
From: Florida
i think papa02c5 has just gotten used to hearing the car accelerate under less than 100% wot.
when comp mode is selected you probably feel a little racier and hold your revs to redline and thats when the car starts making some power and sounding mean.
i heard a guy say once,
'if you want to find 20 hp, shift at redline".
when comp mode is selected you probably feel a little racier and hold your revs to redline and thats when the car starts making some power and sounding mean.
i heard a guy say once,
'if you want to find 20 hp, shift at redline".
Last edited by Steve-O; Jul 23, 2011 at 05:24 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,689
Likes: 1,007
From: Brookfield IL
At first I thought the same thing. I had it in my head that the car was changing shift points for me in different modes, but I think now its the tire spin difference I am feeling. Course I do have an Automatic, but I think if it did switch your shift points, that would be somewhere in the manual.
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Haven't noticed and sound difference in mine either. But nice feature to have when you still want the assurance of active handling when mashing the gas pedal.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 355
From: Rochester New York
I don't think the OP is too far from the truth. Traction control ON can limit spark advance, where Competition mode will not. Obviously at an idle and light acceleration you wont feel, hear or notice a difference but when you stomp on and you may.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver B.C.
Actually I notice something quite different in my 2002 A4 - when I put it in competition mode It feels like the throttle sensitivity is reduced; I have to press the accelerator further down to get the same response I would get with less accelerator in non-competition mode. Yes in competition mode I can smoke the tires without having traction control kick in but it feels like the throttle sensitivity has been dialed back to prevent spinning the wheels too easily. (This may also depend on whether you have had your car tuned. Mine has the stock programming).
Last edited by jornahow; Jul 23, 2011 at 07:41 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 2
From: Florida
for me i consider the comp mode to be similar to a "boost" button on your stereo.
you dont get anything extra, you get the intended design.
the various modes implement turn ons or turn offs. comp mode doesnt add performance it just lets you turn off one of the active handling functions, that is to control wheelspin.
i never made a pass with traction control on, the pulling of spark and fuel would add a 1/2 second to your et. but even at the track i still leave comp mode on in case something crazy like oil on the track got you sideways, the comp mode would give you a chance to regain control much faster than you could respond, like 500 milliseconds.
you dont get anything extra, you get the intended design.
the various modes implement turn ons or turn offs. comp mode doesnt add performance it just lets you turn off one of the active handling functions, that is to control wheelspin.
i never made a pass with traction control on, the pulling of spark and fuel would add a 1/2 second to your et. but even at the track i still leave comp mode on in case something crazy like oil on the track got you sideways, the comp mode would give you a chance to regain control much faster than you could respond, like 500 milliseconds.
