traction control question...
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From: On the Mississippi Gulf Coast
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traction control question...
Ive only had my FRC for about a month and am still learning everyday...but here I am at work with no owners manual and was wondering....does it hurt the car to drive a long distance (50+ miles) with the traction control off...? I havent had it out in over a week and I have to make a trip to Memphis tommorrow and want to drive the FRC to make a nasty trip more pleasurable. I like the feel of more control without the TC but didnt read up on it yet... 
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From: Mustang OK
Nope, won't hurt the car at all. A number of people here drive with it off most of the time. Word of caution though, this car can get away from you quick, so be careful out there when driving with it off. 
Pro
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From: springfield va
I'm just wondering .. why drive with it off? For normal driving whats the advantage over the disadvantages? Seems to me from what I have read most times the advangates are when its left on.. I could be wrong..! 
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From: On the Mississippi Gulf Coast
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Originally Posted by GrayC5
Nope, won't hurt the car at all. A number of people here drive with it off most of the time. Word of caution though, this car can get away from you quick, so be careful out there when driving with it off.
Le Mans Master
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From: Palm Bay FL
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I have pictures of what a friend driving with TC off can do. $21,000 to a 2002 Zo6. Be very very careful when in this mode. And Yes, he was showing off and lost it. 
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Yes, you can drive it with it off. However, just remember that in this mode you have a greater chance of the car getting away from you under certain conditions.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Moorhead MN
I'm glad this question has been asked. I was awake at 3:00 am today wishes my Vette wasn't in storage for winter and wondering about things, such as the use of traction control. Would someone articulate when you notice the differences between TC on and off and when and under what circumstances to be careful when it is off. Is it under quick acceleration or going around curves or just what? When do we have to worry about it getting away from us. I'm typically not a fast driver or much of an "on the edge" driver, so maybe I wouldn't know the difference. But, I've always believed in what the Marines taught me..."the more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war," so I'd like to know how to prepare for the time(s) I might switch TC off. Thanks. I know there are many of you who are very experienced drivers of the Corvette. We all learn from your experience. Thanks! Dan
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Burning Brakes
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From: Calgary
Leave it on for the streets, it will save your butt when you least expect it. I had no TCS on my 98 Z28 and wrote it off because I lost the rear-end. Shifting hard into 2nd gear while cornering will do that to ya!
At the strip, you may definitely wish to take it off so that you don't bog off the line.
At the strip, you may definitely wish to take it off so that you don't bog off the line.
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Originally Posted by Daniel90conv
does it hurt the car to drive a long distance (50+ miles) with the traction control off...?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Red Oak tx
The other side is if you have the TC on and need to accelerate hard to get out a tight spot and your tires spin, TC will shut your power down. I usually drive in comp mode, that way I have all my power available, if needed.
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
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It used to improve your gas mileage in the older ones, right? (About 1990's). Does that still apply to the C5?
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From: On the Mississippi Gulf Coast
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Originally Posted by 6 speed Sid
If TC is so important how did we survive the hot rod days with no TC?? Maybe we just had a better feel for the car and how to handle it, And yes we had just as much HP.
As I've stated before, this is my eleventh vette and while I dont claim to be a pro.....I must say that I do not like the feel of the TC when taking off from a stop.....I enjoy spinning the tires and getting sideways once in awhile......Now if this is your first vette or performance car.....then by all means leave the TC on ALL the time....but how are you gonna learn to handle your machine if the stinkin computer is tellin it what to do...??? Just remember...everything in moderation....if you dont know how your vehicle is going to react to a tight turn under acceleration you shouldnt be hot rodding it anyway...!! JMHO 
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: On the Mississippi Gulf Coast
St. Jude Donor '07, '11 thru '24
Official Sponsor of the 60 Day VacatioNN
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Originally Posted by Zilla
Yes it will but only your ego if the car gets away from you like many of the other post above.
I like to DRIVE my Vette not have the computer drive it.... 
PS my original question was already answered by GreyC5 thanks.....
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Levelland, TX USA
I turned mine off one day. I was on a deserted country road and decided to let it burn from a dead stop. The tires spun hard, then the car started to go a little sideways. Then the *** end whipped the other direction so hard it took me off the road and into the ditch. Minor damage, I had to replace the front bumper, but I felt pretty stupid. I've driven high perf. cars all my life and have never had one get away from me like that. Like some of you say, when you turn it off, be careful.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Moorhead MN
Is it only in burn outs that one has to be careful with TC off? I have only had my Vette since Sept 29th and although I have an awful lot to learn about my car and how to drive it properly, etc., I feel as though the TC control button is the least understood button in the cockpit. I'd sure like to hear from your experienced Vette owners as to the various nuances of this feature. In other words, when I do "what" do I have to be careful? Thanks. Dan