I've seen this mode on the DIC but whats the diff between this and Active Handling in an ON or OFF Mode? I mean, what exactly does Competitve Driving Mode do and can you really feel a difference with this engaged? If so, when do you notice it and would you notice it more with non-run flats or other stickier tires?

 

Competitive mode leaves Active Handling On, but disables Traction Control. Personally I prefer driving in this mode because I like the Active Handling, but hate it when the Traction Control steps in and cuts out power. It's perfect for drifting turns. :yesnod:

 

basically it allows you to spin your tires like on a launch but not lose control of the car and wreck...

 

For some reason I thought it was the other way around. I thought it turned off active handling but kept traction control on. :confused:

 

Does anyone know if Competitive Mode (for yr 2000 models), induces knock retard (or reduction in timing) to keep the car under control?

Thanks

 

zoneblock...I've acutally done it myself...I can spin the tires...but like if the vette starts to really go sideways it stops it and brings the car back in line...there was a vette owner who just got a new vette...but apparently he didn't know about this feature and just turned everything off...he put his vette in the wall at a track near me...I'm not positive on this but this is an un-documented feature in the corvette manual...I think it should be put in...

 

If AH doesn't kick in, then your not drifting ;)

Joel

 

I'm sure more knowledgeable techies out there can add to this, but from what I understand:

Competitive mode supposedly lessens the amount of power steering and makes the suspension more rigid, adding a more "race" feel for the driver. Active handling has four independent sensors in each wheel that automatically kick in when it senses the car is skidding and helps it stay in control.

I can tell when the car is in tour mode (bounces more over bumps), but the other two feel basically the same to me.

 

Just got my 2002. From the video tape that came with the car, I was under the impression that Competitive Mode turns BOTH off. I'll have to watch the video again.

 

Yes, you need to watch the video again.

Competitive = Active Handling ON & Traction Control OFF

The only way to get both OFF is to turn it OFF by pressing the AH/TC button once. If you hold it down for 5 seconds, then you'll be in Competitive Mode.


:chevy :chevy :seeya

 

Ahhh... but not true... more on that in a sec!

Here's the scoop. The C5 has two systems, Active Handling and Traction Control. Active Handling is an anti-spin/yaw system that uses a large suite of sensors to attempt to keep the car pointed in the direction you'd like to travel. It's an excellent system and is very good at what it does. Traction Control is designed to prevent rear wheel spin under power. On the C5, it does this by retarding the throttle. It's a very annoying and intrusive system.

Competition Mode turns off Traction Control while leaving Active Handling fully engaged. It does not effect any other system (steering, suspension, etc.) and only uses the brakes to control the car (no throttle retard, etc.).

On a stock C5, you must hold down the Active Handling switch on the center console for five seconds to engage Competition Mode. On '99 and '00 cars, you must be stopped to do this.

Now the good news! The TracActive Controller for LapTrax automatically set's Competition Mode for you when you start the car! You can also set it to disable both Active Handling and Traction Control if you want, or set it to passive mode so it does nothing (for rain or snow mainly). You still retain instant control via the factory switch, just like normal. There is also a Deluxe version which also clears the "Competition Mode" message from the DIC.

For complete information, please visit:

http://www.laptrax.com

Or let me know if anyone has any questions.

Mike :flag



[Modified by Mike Schriber, 2:06 AM 10/16/2001]

 

Mike

Hi. I'm new to the forum so please excuse my ignorance.

I have a '98 C5 A4 with a standard FE1 suspension (fixed suspension) and one button on the centre console that turns the AH on and off. If I understand you correctly - by holding this switch down for 5 seconds it puts my car in 'competition mode'? I thought competition mode was an option - I didn't realise I even had 'competition mode'. Am I correct in my undersatnding that all C5's have a competition mode?

Thanks for your time.

Regards

Lester Bird

 

All C5's that have active handling have the Competitive Driving mode option.

 

Yes. But on older C5's, the car had to be stopped or Competitive mode would not engage. In later models (I think 01 and 02) you can engage it while driving.

 

Paul

Thanks for your mail. I have just spoken with someone who has a Jan '98 C5. He said that he held the AH button down for 5 seconds and nothing happened? My car is a May '98 C5 A4, I am going to try pressing the AH Button for 5 secs as soon as I get home tonight. Am I right in assuming that DIC will say 'Competitive Driving' or words to that effect?

Cheers

Lester

 

It seems that many of you have never read the Owner's Manual or possibly bought a C5 without a Owner's Mauual.

My 2000 Owner's Manual clearly describes the Active Handling System Option on page 4-11, and on page 4-12 the Competitive Driving Mode feature is explained. For those of you without an Owner's Manual or the desire to read one, the following is a direct quote from the 2000 Owner's Manual which describes the Competitive Driving Mode:

"The driver can select the optional handling mode by pressing the ACTIVE HANDLING button on the console for more than five seconds, while the vehicle is stopped with the ignition on. Competitive Driving mode allows the driver to have full control of the rear wheels while the Active Handling System helps steer the vehicle by selective brake application. The instrument cluster light will not be on. The Traction Control System will not be operating. Adjust your driving accordingly."

I hope this helps clearify the confussion about this feature. Godspeed and Paul R have given you the correct information. The rest of you, go back and read your owners manual or borrow one if you don't have one and get educated about your C5. :smash:

 

Gee Jim 47, you sure are a friendly one! Got any more friendly advice?

 

The instructors at Bragg-Smith stated that competitive mode was more than simply Traction Control OFF and Active Handling (still) ON. When asked the question about competitive mode, they said that it turned off Traction Control, left Active handling on, but "...changed the parameters...". I don't know exactly what that meant, but I suspect it has to do with the algorithms that Active Handling uses to determine the braking to apply to each wheel, and that this is different than when in "normal" mode...

 

If "throttle retard" is cutting back on the throttle, Competitive Mode definitely will do this. You have to really push the car in a turn and if the rear tires start to spin out, it will cut back and save you, up to a point, of course.

Usually you don't notice the AH. It kicks in in degrees. First you will hear brakes pulsing on individual wheels, then if you're going a little too fast with a little too much throttle it will cut the throttle for you. Then it's a little intrusive, but it can save you from losing control.

 

Active Handling was not introduced until '99. I have heard that some late '98 cars could be ordered with the option but I don't know for sure.

According to the information we have, Active Handling runs exactly the same as normal when it's in Competition Mode. I think I remember the guys at Bragg-Smith mentioning something like that when we were there but they didn't have any real info to add. Maybe a good question for Dave Hill.

I don't remember Active Handling ever retarding the throttle. As far as I know, it only works with the ABS system to brake the wheels.

Mike :flag