Traction Control
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 1
From: Plymouth Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '11-'12
Traction Control
I know its not some magical device. But it seems like since I have owned it and ever got into a situation, It doesnt do anything. It shows in the DIC that it gets activated...but i never notice anything driving wise. Or there are times when i kick it out a bit, and it never goes on.
I have no clue how these systems work, but is it possible that it says it gets activated and nothing actually happens?
Or is it possible to tamper with the "settings" in something like a tune. such as torque managment?
I have no clue how these systems work, but is it possible that it says it gets activated and nothing actually happens?
Or is it possible to tamper with the "settings" in something like a tune. such as torque managment?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,441
Likes: 25
From: @ work in South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '08-'11-'12
I've seen a lot of Corvette's wrecked because the driver pressed that little button
If the DIC says it's activated I'm guessing it is working, but you just didn't notice it
If the DIC says it's activated I'm guessing it is working, but you just didn't notice it
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,683
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
If you want to feel it at work with little chance of a major screw-up, go out on rain-soaked streets, envolk a turn while heavy into the throttle. You will feel exactly what takes place.
There is a MAJOR effect that happens.
There is a MAJOR effect that happens.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 445
Likes: 4
From: San Diego CA
It seems like it works more or less off speed as well, in first or second at lower speeds it allows me to kick the car around a bit and not come on, but I have had it come on shifting to third at WOT and it basically cut the throttle for what felt like no reason (Im sure it was just kicking in real quick to avoid a problem due to the higher speed).
On moderate driving it can kick on and just apply a little brake here and there and it would be hard to notice.
On moderate driving it can kick on and just apply a little brake here and there and it would be hard to notice.
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If your system is working properly, then when the traction control active message is displayed, the system should be working the rear brakes and reducing engine power (by closing the throttle and managing the engine spark), even if just slightly, to limit wheel spin. I've had it come on and really didn't feel a difference, but I'd bet it was doing its thing.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Naperville Illinois
My motor is stock. When Traction Control is on, I can't do more than chirp the tires from the line. With Traction Control off I can lay 8 feet of parallel black strips. That's how I know it's working, it's just traction control. Active Handling is what tries to keep you from spinning out. Competitive Driving mode keeps Active Handling on but reduces Traction Control so you can play around more.
I think guys with heavily modded cars might have more power than the system was designed to handle and can overpower it. (seen that recent youtube vid of the silver C5 and silver C6 that drag race from a light and the one car ends up just going sideways).
My 2 cents.
I think guys with heavily modded cars might have more power than the system was designed to handle and can overpower it. (seen that recent youtube vid of the silver C5 and silver C6 that drag race from a light and the one car ends up just going sideways).
My 2 cents.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 989
Likes: 478
From: Roseville MI
If your system is working properly you should not "FEEL" much of anything while it's doing its job. If you want to "FEEL" it working take it to an extreme, (brake torque in first gear to the max then release the brakes, you should get one or two revolutions on the rear wheels before the system applies rear brakes and shuts off fuel). It's a dramatic action so be prepared for your car to fall on its face for a few seconds. The system is designed and programmed to be seamless to the driver and passenger.
Scott
Scott
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 76
Likes: 11
From: Plymouth WI
I would bet this unlucky fellow hit the (traction off)button.
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/23/c...oss/#continued
(link from Johnnyvettes)
Driving without the system on will at some point catch up to you. I'm sure my butt was saved many times already and I didn't even realize it. My car (700 rwhp) has very limited traction (toyo 888s) this time of year (cold temps). Night and day difference between on and off.
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/23/c...oss/#continued
(link from Johnnyvettes)
Driving without the system on will at some point catch up to you. I'm sure my butt was saved many times already and I didn't even realize it. My car (700 rwhp) has very limited traction (toyo 888s) this time of year (cold temps). Night and day difference between on and off.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: DFW Area Denton County
LESSON 1 - I bought my first C5 in 2004, a brand new 6 speed. Every morning for about 2 weeks after I got it, I'd nail it getting on the freeway and be doing about 90 mph when I got on. I wouldn't feel anything except PURE JOY!!!
One day I looked at that little button and remembered it would turn off the traction control, so i hit while I was at the stop light. I turned left to enter the on-ramp and nailed it like the dozen times before and got INCREDIBLY SIDEWAYS, and almost messed my pants.
LESSON 2 - Was out on a track day at the road course at TMS. I knew I felt the brakes doing some pulsing when I entered a corner at about 90 MPH. Next run I had the TC off and thought I should enter at about 75 mph to be safe. Well, I ended up off course and almost spun even though I was 15 mph slower. Had to re-access my whole driving style with the TC off. I ended up with quicker times after a few laps, but I was working instead of riding.
One day I looked at that little button and remembered it would turn off the traction control, so i hit while I was at the stop light. I turned left to enter the on-ramp and nailed it like the dozen times before and got INCREDIBLY SIDEWAYS, and almost messed my pants.
LESSON 2 - Was out on a track day at the road course at TMS. I knew I felt the brakes doing some pulsing when I entered a corner at about 90 MPH. Next run I had the TC off and thought I should enter at about 75 mph to be safe. Well, I ended up off course and almost spun even though I was 15 mph slower. Had to re-access my whole driving style with the TC off. I ended up with quicker times after a few laps, but I was working instead of riding.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,888
Likes: 2
From: Frederick, Maryland
LESSON 1 - I bought my first C5 in 2004, a brand new 6 speed. Every morning for about 2 weeks after I got it, I'd nail it getting on the freeway and be doing about 90 mph when I got on. I wouldn't feel anything except PURE JOY!!!
One day I looked at that little button and remembered it would turn off the traction control, so i hit while I was at the stop light. I turned left to enter the on-ramp and nailed it like the dozen times before and got INCREDIBLY SIDEWAYS, and almost messed my pants.
LESSON 2 - Was out on a track day at the road course at TMS. I knew I felt the brakes doing some pulsing when I entered a corner at about 90 MPH. Next run I had the TC off and thought I should enter at about 75 mph to be safe. Well, I ended up off course and almost spun even though I was 15 mph slower. Had to re-access my whole driving style with the TC off. I ended up with quicker times after a few laps, but I was working instead of riding.
One day I looked at that little button and remembered it would turn off the traction control, so i hit while I was at the stop light. I turned left to enter the on-ramp and nailed it like the dozen times before and got INCREDIBLY SIDEWAYS, and almost messed my pants.
LESSON 2 - Was out on a track day at the road course at TMS. I knew I felt the brakes doing some pulsing when I entered a corner at about 90 MPH. Next run I had the TC off and thought I should enter at about 75 mph to be safe. Well, I ended up off course and almost spun even though I was 15 mph slower. Had to re-access my whole driving style with the TC off. I ended up with quicker times after a few laps, but I was working instead of riding.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 71
From: MA
The little button doesn't appear to work well for me. On a rainy day I made a left turn over some railroad tracks that had those rubber mats over them. I accelerated going over the tracks and ended up spinning out doing a 360* Much to my surprise I felt NOTHING kick in! I would have expected the system to cut power and apply opposite corner brakes to straighten me out. NOTHING! This doesn't inspire much confidence in the system.
Some day I am going to take my car to am empty parking lot on a rainy day to see if the system is working.
Some day I am going to take my car to am empty parking lot on a rainy day to see if the system is working.
Cruising
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
It works when the light is on Trust me! The more you need it the more it works. My first track day at VIR I felt it plenty and the more I drove the more I cused it. This was on a well rubbered track with street tires. I would of liked to turned the darn thing off, but I wasn't sure how much it was doing to save my ***. I had an in car instuctor and it would not accellerate when I wanted it to coming out of some corners mostly coming our of turn 3 nascar turn heading to turn 4 left hook. One thing I did notice, it wouldn't come on if I was super smooth through any corner. Was it faster? I can't say. All I know there were many times I wanted the car to accellerate and it wouldn't let me. Keep in mind I had no problem until I had learned the lines well and was attempting to lower my lap times.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
Back when the car was new (to me) I spent a bit of time exploring the AH/TC thing. I realized it would throw the anchor out pretty easily when you tried to spin the rear wheels but when carving up or down a mountain road I didnt think it was doing much even when the display said AH engaged . . .until my EBCM went and I sent it to be fixed
.
As you know, you can drive the car fine without the EBCM, you just loose the ABS and AH/TC, so basicaly it drives like an older car without those systems. Well (at least for me) when carving up and down the same roads...believe me....I felt a difference
Never got out of line but I could tell that with it disabled I was not as competent a driver as I thought I was when it was on
.As you know, you can drive the car fine without the EBCM, you just loose the ABS and AH/TC, so basicaly it drives like an older car without those systems. Well (at least for me) when carving up and down the same roads...believe me....I felt a difference
Never got out of line but I could tell that with it disabled I was not as competent a driver as I thought I was when it was on