Traction control question.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento California
St. Jude Donor '06
Traction control question.
Will the traction control system help keep the wife out of trouble when driving a C6?
We drive about 20 miles each way on curved mountain highways & I'm having a hard time convincing her to drive a new C-6.
We plan on buying a F55 as a daily driver for our 60 mile commute but she says all that power scares her... so I told her it has a traction control system that can be dialed up to keep you out of trouble, like having a baby sitter on board.
Please help me out here guys, will she be able to have some confidence in the traction control or did I lie to her and I should just look forward to driving both ways all the time.
We drive about 20 miles each way on curved mountain highways & I'm having a hard time convincing her to drive a new C-6.
We plan on buying a F55 as a daily driver for our 60 mile commute but she says all that power scares her... so I told her it has a traction control system that can be dialed up to keep you out of trouble, like having a baby sitter on board.
Please help me out here guys, will she be able to have some confidence in the traction control or did I lie to her and I should just look forward to driving both ways all the time.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,989
Likes: 5
From: DFW This user does not support or recommend the product or service displayed in the ad to the right
I,ve never understood why having that much power scares people..It is not like the car is just going to take off and fly off the road..You are in complete control of the machine.You have the choice to drive like a grandma or Mario Andretti. SO whats the problem?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 2
From: Hope, Arkansas - '07 LMB Coupe
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I don't have any first hand experience here, but from what I read here from others is that it really takes some hard pushing to get the C6 to even lose grip in the first place. Once the car does get into a lost traction event the Active Handling will step in and keep it manuverable, but keep in mind that if the driver freaks out and gets into a panic frame of mind there is only so much the Active Handling system can do for you. 
The best advice for any new driver in a machine with loads of power is to start off not trying to push the limits and only drive as fast as they feel confident that both the car and themselves can manage. Just drive it no faster than the car currently being used until experience is gained with the new machine and then gradually work up to faster pace. The experience will also start to give a better feel for how much power is applied in relationship to how much throttle is applied. The whole trick is to ease into it and keep an eye on the spedo.
The best advice for any new driver in a machine with loads of power is to start off not trying to push the limits and only drive as fast as they feel confident that both the car and themselves can manage. Just drive it no faster than the car currently being used until experience is gained with the new machine and then gradually work up to faster pace. The experience will also start to give a better feel for how much power is applied in relationship to how much throttle is applied. The whole trick is to ease into it and keep an eye on the spedo.
Last edited by gota07; Jul 5, 2005 at 04:53 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 0
From: Granby CT
Lets face it, this car is a little intimidating to those who haven't driven it and are used to no where near this much power. Turns out it isn't hard to drive but people think if you breathe on the accelerator it will spin tires and go. I have same issue with my wife - whom I can't keep up with on the highway when she is in her car, my daughter (26) - didn't bother her after the first couple of miles.
And don't we want people to feel that way - this is a serious performance machine.
And don't we want people to feel that way - this is a serious performance machine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
From: Nashville Tennessee
Scared
Originally Posted by C6400hp
I,ve never understood why having that much power scares people..It is not like the car is just going to take off and fly off the road..You are in complete control of the machine.You have the choice to drive like a grandma or Mario Andretti. SO whats the problem?
AL
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
From: Mineral Virginia
It only has the power if you push the go pedal hard. It drives like any other car (actually much better) when driven normally. The one area she will need to be schooled in is passing. She is probably used to mashing the pedal when passing - do that in a Corvette and you're suddenly making a 100mph pass - not a good thing. Otherwise, you can tool around like a grandmother all day in this car and never tap into 1/3 the available power. The ts/ah system is only present when you are flailing the car hard, something your wife probably won't be inclined to do. The car has every safety feature imaginable (side/front air bags/abs/ts/ah/speed sensitive steering). It will stop quicker than almost anything out there, handle sudden directional changes better than a little Honda Accord, etc.. Understanding the car is key to driving it and that starts with a complete read of the owners manual and then some seat time with an experienced Corvette owner. The problem then becomes getting her out of the car so you can drive it!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
Drives like a sedan...
Drove in today in pouring rain.. stop and go heavy traffic. Drives and handles like any "large sedan". In wet if you over pedal it, the TCS moderates your activity. My wife loves this car.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 921
Likes: 146
From: Fairfax VA
Two things to note. First, the pedal is a whole lot more linear than most cars since it's drive by wire. My old Camaro used to have 2/3 of it's power in the first 1/2 inch of pedal travel. The Vette delivers power smoothly as you step on the pedal so it isn't as though you suddenly take off when you tap the gas. You really have to get into it in order to take advantage of the power. Under normal pedal driving it's like a normal car, almost 
The second thing to note is that the traction control is either on or off, and same goes for the Active handling. You can't dial it in like you stated. But as others stated. I've driven this pretty hard and only broke traction once going around a turn hitting a pothole. The Active handling straightened the car right up very quickly putting the car back in control.
Hope that helps.
The second thing to note is that the traction control is either on or off, and same goes for the Active handling. You can't dial it in like you stated. But as others stated. I've driven this pretty hard and only broke traction once going around a turn hitting a pothole. The Active handling straightened the car right up very quickly putting the car back in control.
Hope that helps.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 25
From: Austin Texas
The power of the car is directly related to your right foot, keep your foot off the floor and the car is a pussycat. We did a part throttle run on the dyno with my car and @ 3000 RPM part throttle it only developed 160HP w/14.7:1 AFR.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento California
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by masihman
Two things to note. First, the pedal is a whole lot more linear than most cars since it's drive by wire. My old Camaro used to have 2/3 of it's power in the first 1/2 inch of pedal travel. The Vette delivers power smoothly as you step on the pedal so it isn't as though you suddenly take off when you tap the gas. You really have to get into it in order to take advantage of the power. Under normal pedal driving it's like a normal car, almost
The second thing to note is that the traction control is either on or off, and same goes for the Active handling. You can't dial it in like you stated. But as others stated. I've driven this pretty hard and only broke traction once going around a turn hitting a pothole. The Active handling straightened the car right up very quickly putting the car back in control.
Hope that helps.
The second thing to note is that the traction control is either on or off, and same goes for the Active handling. You can't dial it in like you stated. But as others stated. I've driven this pretty hard and only broke traction once going around a turn hitting a pothole. The Active handling straightened the car right up very quickly putting the car back in control.
Hope that helps.
I don't think I've ever driven a car with so much torque (we're more the Saab set), but I know she'll love it as soon as she gets a chance to drive the car. Any way, thanks for the help, Oh and for those of you who can't understand things like this.... get Married, you will.
Al
Go big or don't go...
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 1
From: Georgetown TX
Originally Posted by Gov'sGuy
Will the traction control system help keep the wife out of trouble when driving a C6?
We drive about 20 miles each way on curved mountain highways & I'm having a hard time convincing her to drive a new C-6.
We plan on buying a F55 as a daily driver for our 60 mile commute but she says all that power scares her... so I told her it has a traction control system that can be dialed up to keep you out of trouble, like having a baby sitter on board.
Please help me out here guys, will she be able to have some confidence in the traction control or did I lie to her and I should just look forward to driving both ways all the time.
We drive about 20 miles each way on curved mountain highways & I'm having a hard time convincing her to drive a new C-6.
We plan on buying a F55 as a daily driver for our 60 mile commute but she says all that power scares her... so I told her it has a traction control system that can be dialed up to keep you out of trouble, like having a baby sitter on board.
Please help me out here guys, will she be able to have some confidence in the traction control or did I lie to her and I should just look forward to driving both ways all the time.
I can get it sideways though with TC/AHS on; but that's because I'm 1g on the curve (something I did the other night - woo woo).
Anyway - she'll be fine. My brother about pissed himself when I laid into it in competition mode the after I broke it in. He was thinking **1966 GTO tri-power** which will send the rear-end around front and before you know it you are driving on the other side of the road going the other direction
Again - with all systems active - she'll be fine the system won't let it get out of control. Now as for the winding roads, at 60mph the AHS does a good job of keeping you straight. However, if she is used to driving without assistance then she may over-correct. The key when AHS/TC is on is let the car get it all figured out - it usually does a good job!! Mind you - I'm not suggesting this will save someones life who makes serious mistake; but the systems are their to support your driving.
Driver be ware; no life guard's on duty - only GOD.
JK
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,659
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From: Las Vegas Location: Earth
Easy to drive
What will surprise you and your wife when driving is that it is actually quite a luxurious car when driven easy. It's quiet inside, and smooth as silk, the car actually glides through mountain roads. The only thing I noticed that takes some getting used to is the area the car takes up on the road; as the sloped nose precludes the driver from actually seeing where the front of the car ends; but that sloped nose I'm sure gives the car a lot more downforce and hence allows the car to drive at high speeds with little lifting sensation. Everyone should drive a c6 at least once; and preferably once a day! Enjoy!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,412
Likes: 1,295
From: Bluffton, SC
My wife was deathly afraid of driving the C6 when we first got it. In fact, she refused to drive it unless I was in the car with her. Now that the summer is here, she takes it out all the time. She's gotten used to the transmission and the keyless system. I wouldn't say she drives it too aggressively, but she does get out of third gear every once in a while. I heard she even had it over 60 once.
It's a very sedate car to drive if you don't nail the throttle. In that regard, it's like a gun: if you don't pull the trigger, it won't go bang.
It's a very sedate car to drive if you don't nail the throttle. In that regard, it's like a gun: if you don't pull the trigger, it won't go bang.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,115
Likes: 0
From: I am Jack's out-dated Fight Club reference. MD
Originally Posted by C6400hp
I,ve never understood why having that much power scares people..It is not like the car is just going to take off and fly off the road..You are in complete control of the machine.You have the choice to drive like a grandma or Mario Andretti. SO whats the problem?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,168
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas Codes 660, 9448, and 295660 work in the C6 navigation unit. No DVD playback yet.
Originally Posted by Gov'sGuy
Perhaps I should have said the active handling system rather than the TCS. The reason I asked in the first place is I had read in the forum when some new drivers had the system turned off and found their rear end heading in the wrong direction before they knew it (on a rainy day).
I don't think I've ever driven a car with so much torque (we're more the Saab set), but I know she'll love it as soon as she gets a chance to drive the car. Any way, thanks for the help, Oh and for those of you who can't understand things like this.... get Married, you will.
Al
I don't think I've ever driven a car with so much torque (we're more the Saab set), but I know she'll love it as soon as she gets a chance to drive the car. Any way, thanks for the help, Oh and for those of you who can't understand things like this.... get Married, you will.
Al
However, for the most part the car is easy to drive. But it does have a very nasty side that can come out when you least expect it.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,989
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From: DFW This user does not support or recommend the product or service displayed in the ad to the right
I am married,my wife loves the Vette. Unless you drive like an idiot you will probably never encounter the AH TCS. Don't worry get the Corvette and enjoy you both will love it. If you want to learn how to drive fast take some HPDE courses.