Wow, active handling really does work.
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Corvette ***** OG
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '05
CI VI Veteran
Wow, active handling really does work.
Since I sold my C4 and bought my C5, I have had the sometimes bothersome traction control come on.... not always at an opportune time. I have yet to "feel" the active handling and what it does.
I basically live in the country and there are alot of twisty roads. There is one particular curve with an offset camber in it. The rule of thumb for entry speed (at least for my riding capability on my 954 sportbike) is take the "suggested" safe speed (the yellow caution sign right before a curve), double it and add 10-20mph depending on whether I am familiar with the road.
In this particular curve, the speed limit is 55 on a real tight curve, the "suggested" safe speed is 25... when on the bike, you lean, put your knee down and twist the throttle... I usually take that curve between 60-70. I know in my other vehicles I can only take it about 45ish...
Well, today, I was feeling frisky and went through the curve at 60 in the vette, the azz end felt like it wanted to slide, the active handling kicked in and I sailed through it very smoothly. GM really got it together with the active handling option.
Thanks GM, ya done good.
Mark
I basically live in the country and there are alot of twisty roads. There is one particular curve with an offset camber in it. The rule of thumb for entry speed (at least for my riding capability on my 954 sportbike) is take the "suggested" safe speed (the yellow caution sign right before a curve), double it and add 10-20mph depending on whether I am familiar with the road.
In this particular curve, the speed limit is 55 on a real tight curve, the "suggested" safe speed is 25... when on the bike, you lean, put your knee down and twist the throttle... I usually take that curve between 60-70. I know in my other vehicles I can only take it about 45ish...
Well, today, I was feeling frisky and went through the curve at 60 in the vette, the azz end felt like it wanted to slide, the active handling kicked in and I sailed through it very smoothly. GM really got it together with the active handling option.
Thanks GM, ya done good.
Mark
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Just curious!
What speeds did you do the same turn in your C4?
Like you, I take the safe speed, double it and add ten! When approaching an unknown turn
Never had trouble getting the C4 thru without active handling
I have a friend who relied on active handling (C5) to get through the tail of the dragon while chasing me (C4) and "crashed twice"
Not sure I want active handling.
I am sure I will get flamed, but after considerable head to head running on roads like the Tail of the Dragon, I am convinced C4's out handle C5's. Like I said, I am sure i will get flamed, but that's MHO!
Thanks
Jack
What speeds did you do the same turn in your C4?
Like you, I take the safe speed, double it and add ten! When approaching an unknown turn
Never had trouble getting the C4 thru without active handling
I have a friend who relied on active handling (C5) to get through the tail of the dragon while chasing me (C4) and "crashed twice"
Not sure I want active handling.
I am sure I will get flamed, but after considerable head to head running on roads like the Tail of the Dragon, I am convinced C4's out handle C5's. Like I said, I am sure i will get flamed, but that's MHO!
Thanks
Jack
Thread Starter
Corvette ***** OG
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '05
CI VI Veteran
Jack,
I liked the way my C4 handled but to be honest, the C5 is a much "smoother" controlled vehicle. The C4 seemed more like brute force and the C5 seems more refined.
The active handling I don't think helps anyone drive better. I think it's more of an added helpful feature... kind of a safety backup....extra insurance.
In answer to your question, that same corner would net me about 52-55 mph.... sometimes I could take it a hair more but the C5 seems a little easier to handle.
Mark
I liked the way my C4 handled but to be honest, the C5 is a much "smoother" controlled vehicle. The C4 seemed more like brute force and the C5 seems more refined.
The active handling I don't think helps anyone drive better. I think it's more of an added helpful feature... kind of a safety backup....extra insurance.
In answer to your question, that same corner would net me about 52-55 mph.... sometimes I could take it a hair more but the C5 seems a little easier to handle.
Mark
Thread Starter
Corvette ***** OG
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From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '05
CI VI Veteran
BTW, both cars are a convertible and I think that's why the C4 seemed stiffer. With the cross brace underneath, it added to the already seemingly tighter suspension.
Not sure if convertibles are stiffer than coupes.
Mark
Not sure if convertibles are stiffer than coupes.
Mark
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My '99 had active handling and it sure saved my butt several times. A very handy feature to have on the car.
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Originally Posted by jackdaroofer
Like I said, I am sure i will get flamed, but that's MHO!
Thanks
Jack
Thanks
Jack
Who in their right mind would flame a guy who can bend a frying pan half-in-two with his bare hands?
Back to topic. FWIW, AH was responsible for ensuring the Vette remained an 'on-road' vehicle more than once.
I'm not the best driver, ya know..
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Alamo CA
From somebody that got the first Vette because the company I work for makes the gyroscope in the Active Handling, thank you all! While it saved me once on the street as well, I can tell you that on the track it has kicked in big, one time, saving me after 4 tail slappers with about 95 mph entry speed to the turn when I did a dumb and dropped the rear wheel off the end of the berm to dirt by about 4 inches of tire width. Real eye opener!
Randy
Randy
