In '05 A4 vert I have the traction control button in the console. When I push it, an icon appears on the instrument panel. This is as far as my understanding goes.

What does this button do? What is traction control? Does traction control initiate automatically anyway, but this button turns it on manually? When should I be pushing this button? When should I be pushing it again to turn it off? Is there only on/off or are there other settings controlled by this button?

I did search the forum archives and read through a couple dozen threads, but they mostly address code messages. BTW, I am still waiting for the owner's manual so if this is a no brainer covered in the OM, my apologies.

 

When you press the button once you will get the icon as you stated, it means you turned off the traction control. Press it twice and it should put you in the competion driving mode. That will also apear in the D.I.C.

Fred

 

As stated above, one push turns it off(it should say "TRACTION CONTROL OFF" on the DIC when you press it. This turns off traction control but leaves active handling on. Press it twice and you are in competitve driving mode which means traction control off, and active handling on but in a reduced capacity(active handling will feel if the car begins to get sideways and will brake the car accordingly to prevent you from getting sideways, although in competitive driving mode it will allow a little 'yaw' before stepping in). Press and hold the button until it beeps and active handling and traction control are off completely. You can then press the button again to engage traction control and active handling. When the car is started,active handling and traction control are both on. Check your manual, as this is all stated in it.

 

Here are a couple of tidbits to get you started:

Here's the segment in the owners manual:

Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a traction control system called TCS
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system operates only if it senses
that the rear wheels are spinning too much or are
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system works the rear brakes and reduces engine power
(by closing the throttle and managing engine spark) to
limit wheel spin.
The TRACTION SYSTEM ACTIVE message will come
on when the TCS system is limiting wheel spin. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-53. You
may feel or hear the system working, but this is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the TCS
system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will
automatically disengage. When road conditions allow
you to safely use it again, you may re-engage the cruise
control. See Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on
page 3-8.
The SERVICE TRACTION
SYSTEM message and
the TCS warning light will
come on to let you
know if there is a problem
with your TCS system.
See DIC Warnings
and Messages on
page 3-53.
When this light and the SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM
message are on, the system will not limit wheel spin.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
The TCS system automatically comes on whenever you
start your vehicle. To limit wheel spin, especially in
slippery road conditions, you should always leave the
system on. But you can turn the TCS system off if
you ever need to.
4-9

To turn the system off,
press the button located
on the console. You
can turn the system on or
off at any time by
pressing the ACTIVE
HANDLING button. The
DIC will display the
appropriate message when
you push the button.


Active Handling System

The Active Handling System is a computer controlled
system that helps the driver maintain directional control
of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions. This is
accomplished by selectively applying any one of the
vehicle’s brakes.

When you first start your vehicle during cold winter
weather and begin to drive away, the message ACTIVE
HANDLING WARMING UP may be displayed in the
DIC. This is normal. You can acknowledge this message
by pressing the RESET button. The Active Handling
System performance is affected until the message,
ACTIVE HANDLING READY, is displayed in the DIC.
The ACTIVE HANDLING CALIBRATING message may
be displayed in the DIC and the instrument panel
cluster light will be on after exceeding 18 mph (30 km/h)
for 10 seconds. The Active Handling System is off
until the ACTIVE HANDLING READY message
is displayed. This could take up to 15 minutes.
The ACTIVE HANDLING message will come on when
the system is operating. See DIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-53 for more information. You may
also feel or hear the system working. This is normal.
The SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING message will
be displayed, the instrument cluster light will
come on, and a chime will sound to let you know if
there is a problem with the system. See DIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-53 for more
information. When this light and the SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING
message are on, the system is not operational. Adjust your driving accordingly.
4-10

Here is a very good article on the technical side of traction control and active handling. Granted this is from the C5 but the theory remains:

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...ehandling.html

Last but not least, you can download a pdf copy of the 2005 manual here to hold you over:
https://www.mygmlink.com/pdf/go2cont...05corvette.pdf

Right hand side, down the bottom of the page.

Paul

 

Well, I'm glad I asked. I was under the impression that when I pushed the button (and the icon appeared on the panel) that it was now on... just the opposite huh?

I'll be glad when the owner's manual finally gets here. Bought the car from A Lexus dealer with no manuals/pamphlets etc. OnStar got theirs to me next day delivery.

 

You can down load on line an owners manual.
http://www.corvetteforums.com/