Competitive driving mode?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,141
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From: Huntington IN
Competitive Driving keeps the active handling on, but not traction control. Much better than driving with traction control off.
Traction control will keep you fairly straight, but will slow you down. (Active Handling and Traction Control on)
Traction Control Off will put you in the wall. (You are on your own)
Competitive Driving might keep you off the wall. If you hit a patch of fluid running down the track, this setting might just keep you out of the wall. (Active Handling On/Traction Control Off).
GM has the switch backwards - Comp Driving should be the first press of the button.
Traction control will keep you fairly straight, but will slow you down. (Active Handling and Traction Control on)
Traction Control Off will put you in the wall. (You are on your own)
Competitive Driving might keep you off the wall. If you hit a patch of fluid running down the track, this setting might just keep you out of the wall. (Active Handling On/Traction Control Off).
GM has the switch backwards - Comp Driving should be the first press of the button.
Last edited by Matt69-ZO6; Aug 9, 2004 at 01:50 PM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
From: Hendersonville NC
I was always confused by this. Traction control (TCS) turns off the active handling. Competitive mode allows active handling, but eliminates the traction contol. (Corrected my response so as to not confuse others the way I was confused). 
Last edited by ACELR8N; Aug 9, 2004 at 12:09 PM.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,364
Likes: 38
From: King George VA
Originally Posted by ACELR8N
A couple of these responses confused me, so I checked the manual. Traction control (TCS) is for rear wheel spin. Turning it off stops the rear brakes from controlling wheel spin. Competitive Mode is for the active handling, which when on assists directional control of the vehicle by applying any one of the vehicle's four brakes. When in the Competitive Mode neither the traction control, nor directional control are working (Active Handling). In the Traction Control mode, rear wheel spin is no longer assisted by braking, but the directional control is still active, so you can spin the rear tires but still get active handling in the event you loose control. In Competitive Mode you are on your own, just like in the old days. 
In normal default mode, both TC and AH are on. In comp mode, TC is off allowing lots of rear wheel spin in a straight line, but AH is definitely on which aids directional stability. With the system OFF, you get neither and are on your own. This is described on page 4-12 of my 02 owners manual.
As an FYI, I have used Comp Mode on the track numerous times and it does activate AH to control directional stability.
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 665
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From: Hendersonville NC
Originally Posted by Subdriver
In normal default mode, both TC and AH are on. In comp mode, TC is off allowing lots of rear wheel spin in a straight line, but AH is definitely on which aids directional stability. With the system OFF, you get neither and are on your own. This is described on page 4-12 of my 02 owners manual.
As an FYI, I have used Comp Mode on the track numerous times and it does activate AH to control directional stability.
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 85
From: DFW Texas
Originally Posted by ACELR8N
I'm so confused! So going to Competitive Mode still allows Active Handling to function, but eliminates any control of rear wheel spin? A closer review of the manual's heading for Competitive Driving Mode shows you are correct, as it does indicate that Active Handling will help steer the vehicle in this mode. So if I'm understanding this now, the first selection with the console button turns off both Active Handling and Traction Control, and you are driving with no computer assist? And, the competitive mode just eliminates the Traction Control? The way it had been explained to me was the reverse. Thanks.
Yes that is correct.
I wish my car would start up in Competitve Driving mode. I use that more then anything else.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: All that glitters is Gold - Hockey Is CANADA'S game
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Just a word of warning if you plan to show off to friends do it in Comp Mode. There have been a few stories here lately where they people have turned off the TC/AH and forgot about and toasted their vette.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,364
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From: King George VA
Originally Posted by ACELR8N
I'm so confused! So going to Competitive Mode still allows Active Handling to function, but eliminates any control of rear wheel spin? A closer review of the manual's heading for Competitive Driving Mode shows you are correct, as it does indicate that Active Handling will help steer the vehicle in this mode. So if I'm understanding this now, the first selection with the console button turns off both Active Handling and Traction Control, and you are driving with no computer assist? And, the competitive mode just eliminates the Traction Control? The way it had been explained to me was the reverse. Thanks.
I just read Road and Track's writeup of the C6 and it sounds like the C6 will be:
- One push gets TC and AH but with more yaw allowed
- Two push gets AH with even more yaw allowed
- hold gets all off.
That seems to make more sense to me than how it is on the C5.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
From: Hendersonville NC
Originally Posted by Subdriver
Yes, you have it now. If you hit the button once, it turns everything off. Hold it for five seconds to get comp mode. That always seems backwards to me and I think GM figured that out.
I just read Road and Track's writeup of the C6 and it sounds like the C6 will be:
- One push gets TC and AH but with more yaw allowed
- Two push gets AH with even more yaw allowed
- hold gets all off.
That seems to make more sense to me than how it is on the C5.
I just read Road and Track's writeup of the C6 and it sounds like the C6 will be:
- One push gets TC and AH but with more yaw allowed
- Two push gets AH with even more yaw allowed
- hold gets all off.
That seems to make more sense to me than how it is on the C5.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,364
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From: King George VA
Originally Posted by ACELR8N
Yeah, you would think the first selection that didn't require a five second hold would be the safer of the two driving modes, but DUH! corporate logic is idiotic. So if you accidentally hit the button you're on your own... Geeeez. And, this is what they come up with in the age of victimization and litigation. Thanks again for the help.
Good news is that they apparently realized this and fixed it with the C6.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,501
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From: Sunshine State, USA
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
Originally Posted by Matt69-ZO6
GM has the switch backwards - Comp Driving should be the first press of the button.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,672
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From: cincinnati ohio
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
Originally Posted by 95Bravo-C5
do all c-5's have comp mode? 
I do remember the first time I hit it with everything off . . . went 90degrees sideways . . . fun
