Push a button, get a smile.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 671
Likes: 40
From: Stamford, CT
Push a button, get a smile.
Lately I've been turning off the traction control when I head out on dry streets. The car really feels more nimble and aggressive. More in control.
Anyone else agree this is a fun, free performance enhancement, or am I making too much of this?
Anyone else agree this is a fun, free performance enhancement, or am I making too much of this?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 671
Likes: 40
From: Stamford, CT
Thanks for your input and warnings. I'm not being arguementative here, but if it's such a bad thing to do, why do you suppose GM makes it so easy to turn off? Please note that I'm not talking about turning off the active handling, or going into "competititon mode" just turning off the traction control.
I don't want to get myself killed, but on the other hand . . .
Further comments are welcome!
I don't want to get myself killed, but on the other hand . . .
Further comments are welcome!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Mulhouse FRANCE
I have heard so many warnings and so many incidents/accidents happen when you turn the electronic assistance off, that I have never dared turning it off (well I did it in straight lines, but I don't thing that counts).
I'm signed up for a performance training day, so I guess we'll learn to drive the car with all these things off... and since it will be on a track and not with my own C6, I'll be able to test how the car really reacts when there is no electronic assistance. Until then (October 1st), I'm not sure I will try to turn the thing off.
I'm signed up for a performance training day, so I guess we'll learn to drive the car with all these things off... and since it will be on a track and not with my own C6, I'll be able to test how the car really reacts when there is no electronic assistance. Until then (October 1st), I'm not sure I will try to turn the thing off.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Cupertino CA
When you are driving on the street, you never know what's going to come next. When I had my old E36 M3, there was once when the car started to fishtail as I started from the stop light turning left. You would not expect such a thing to happen. Perhaps there was something slippery that I didn't catch with my eyes. The traction control saved my *** 
On the track, it's a different story. The track is supposed to be clean. And if there are problems with the track, they are supposed to yellow flag that section and then promptly clear it. And a good track always has plenty of run off space just in case Competitive Mode is what I'll go for, and I might have a few laps with everything off just to compare the difference.
On the track, it's a different story. The track is supposed to be clean. And if there are problems with the track, they are supposed to yellow flag that section and then promptly clear it. And a good track always has plenty of run off space just in case
Competitive Mode is what I'll go for, and I might have a few laps with everything off just to compare the difference.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,467
Likes: 1,149
From: Wayne Township WI
Originally Posted by V8lust
I'm not being arguementative here, but if it's such a bad thing to do, why do you suppose GM makes it so easy to turn off?
Those types wouldn't need any of the computer aided driving stuff.
I OTOH need all the help I can get with the kind of power the LS2 makes.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Originally Posted by VetteNutte69
hey, I found an 07 Z06 available for sale. Black on black 2LZ w/ nav, thinking about picking it up even though over msrp, what do you think?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 37,329
Likes: 12
From: Plano Texas
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
CI-VI Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Originally Posted by V8lust
Thanks for your input and warnings. I'm not being arguementative here, but if it's such a bad thing to do, why do you suppose GM makes it so easy to turn off? Please note that I'm not talking about turning off the active handling, or going into "competititon mode" just turning off the traction control.
I don't want to get myself killed, but on the other hand . . .
Further comments are welcome!
I don't want to get myself killed, but on the other hand . . .
Further comments are welcome!
As to why it is so easy - don't know.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 26
From: Austin Texas
T/C (and A/H) are great crutches for the carefull driver, but they are performance reducing crutches. I've been driving for 50 years (legally) and have never felt the need for electronics to do my driving for me. I like the idea of my right foot on the gas and my left foot on the clutch controlling the car. I usually drive with both T/C and A/H off. The electronics are fast and smart BUT they can't anticipate what I want to do. I would rather break a rear tire loose turning a corner than have the A/H, T/C shut the car down in mid corner. Normal, everyday driving the limited slip differential is all the T/C I need.
I do like Anti Lock Braking, even if I could turn it off I wouldn't, ALB reacts faster and better than my foot in a panic stop.
I do like Anti Lock Braking, even if I could turn it off I wouldn't, ALB reacts faster and better than my foot in a panic stop.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,104
Likes: 0
From: Boise Idaho
Traction control/Active handling saved my beans. Mine are never off unless I'm in a controlled environment (track, etc). You can be the best driver in the world, but it only takes one time. Just not worth it.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,340
Likes: 965
From: Carlsbad Ca
I can't believe you guys. You guys make it Sound like its a "Pandora's Box" if you eliminate TC/AH. You guys need to learn your cars. And ABS,it doesn't help you stop shorter (unless you're turning also.)
I would expect this in "driver's education" not here.
Unbelievable!
I would expect this in "driver's education" not here.
Unbelievable!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 9
From: CA
Originally Posted by Litre
Traction control/Active handling saved my beans. Mine are never off unless I'm in a controlled environment (track, etc). You can be the best driver in the world, but it only takes one time. Just not worth it.
I think this is the wisest advice. Once you get experience in a safe environment with everything turned off you will understand the limits of the vehicle and the limits of the driver. Failing that experience, best to leave things on.
Not to mention the road ahead is often filled with unknowns. A mis-aimed sprinkler wetting that ramp you take everyday at 1.0 G may be something you didnt expect.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Dubai
I quickly flick mine back on if I'm turning into a fast sweeping corner, otherwise I don't want my car to do the driving for me. I like feeling in total control without the electornics spoiling my fun. But I recommend to try the track several times before attempting road use with t/c off.