Does C6 Active Handling work?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 357
Likes: 2
From: San Diego ,CA, USA
Does C6 Active Handling work?
15,500 miles on my 09, the GY runcraps with between 6/32 and 7/32 remaining and I need to change them very soon. The car has begun to drift and slide in turns. I have been experiencing this a lot lately, like never before in the first 15,000 miles.
But I never seem to hit AH. The DIC never displays AH has been engaged.
Straight line accelerating has lost its grip, rear wheels are now easy to spin and do so often, TC does kick in as often and is displayed in the DIC.
But I have almost never seen an AH message, if ever. My C5 would frequently activate AH but not the C6. I know the C5 AH was intrusive and this was resolved later. Is this normal for the C6?
But I never seem to hit AH. The DIC never displays AH has been engaged.
Straight line accelerating has lost its grip, rear wheels are now easy to spin and do so often, TC does kick in as often and is displayed in the DIC.
But I have almost never seen an AH message, if ever. My C5 would frequently activate AH but not the C6. I know the C5 AH was intrusive and this was resolved later. Is this normal for the C6?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 316
Likes: 2
From: Virginia Beach VA
I've noticed this too. I believe the AH is set up to be minimally intrusive. I've experience a good amount of oversteer on a number of occasions and have yet to see AH kick in (guess I recovered fast enough that the computer did not feel it needed to intervene).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,503
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma City OK
It does work and has saved my butt a few times on the track and streets.
I drive in COMP mode often especially on the track and I can feel it, I dont recall what it says in the DIC but I can sure feel it keep my rear on the pavment.
I drive in COMP mode often especially on the track and I can feel it, I dont recall what it says in the DIC but I can sure feel it keep my rear on the pavment.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 351
Likes: 2
From: Northern Virginia
It works!
Yes, I have seen it come on with mine and at a relatively low speed.
I was on a carvan cruise with a Corvette club on an unfamiliar road to me, and topped a hill at about 35mph only to see that it was an immediate hair pin left hand turn. (apparently the sign was missing)
Nothing to do but ride it out, and I fully expected to loose traction and slide through the turn. Nope, as I got into the turn I felt it kick in and start grabbing brakes (felt like one caliper at a time...left rear, then the right front), the indicator light came on in the DIC and I was through the curve and straight. An AMAZING system.
I was on a carvan cruise with a Corvette club on an unfamiliar road to me, and topped a hill at about 35mph only to see that it was an immediate hair pin left hand turn. (apparently the sign was missing)
Nothing to do but ride it out, and I fully expected to loose traction and slide through the turn. Nope, as I got into the turn I felt it kick in and start grabbing brakes (felt like one caliper at a time...left rear, then the right front), the indicator light came on in the DIC and I was through the curve and straight. An AMAZING system.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
From: Playa Vista CA
Not sure why you're not able to.
On my drive to/from work I often test the AH in "normal" and "competitive" mode. I have a couple turns where I try different speeds and turn rate. Largely out of curiousity.
In either mode I'm able to activate the AH, in some cases before the rear tire breaks loose and sometimes after, depending on which mode I'm in and conditions.
Sometimes exiting a driveway if the wheels lose contact with the ground I'll notice AH/TC activate in too.
On my drive to/from work I often test the AH in "normal" and "competitive" mode. I have a couple turns where I try different speeds and turn rate. Largely out of curiousity.
In either mode I'm able to activate the AH, in some cases before the rear tire breaks loose and sometimes after, depending on which mode I'm in and conditions.
Sometimes exiting a driveway if the wheels lose contact with the ground I'll notice AH/TC activate in too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 4
From: foothills of Northern California
Trust me: You dont really want your AH coming on much. It means your car is pretty much out of shape in a turn and have made a mistake.
I live in the mountains with all turns on my DD to work and have activated the AH much to much. When it collects the car you get huge wierd, very odd behavior from the AH that tells you it is in control and jerks the car back into shape. Then you tell yourself how much you screwed up.
I live in the mountains with all turns on my DD to work and have activated the AH much to much. When it collects the car you get huge wierd, very odd behavior from the AH that tells you it is in control and jerks the car back into shape. Then you tell yourself how much you screwed up.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 30
From: Perdido Key,Fl. Fl.
I suggest you get new tires soon. My car in a rain storm was a nightmare to drive on the highway. Everyone was passing me up as I was hitting water and hard to really control. New Michelins and all is good to go.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 846
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas NV
Active Handling activated today when I got passed by a brand new Big and Black ZR-1 with temp tags, I did not even do anything...poor car shuddered in awe 
Last edited by Dendk; Aug 20, 2010 at 01:20 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 357
Likes: 2
From: San Diego ,CA, USA
I know I need to replace the tires now. That message is loud and clear given the results I have been experiencing the last few hundred miles.
Very disappointing that with so much tread remaining, 6/32+, these tires are done.
I really expected AH to kick in when the car was sliding sideways. I regained control easily enough but still, my C5's AH would have activated.
Those of you that are activating AH must really be pushing it. I need to find a safe (open) place and push to the point where AH activates. Just don't know which open that parking lot is yet.
New tires are in my not to distant future.
Very disappointing that with so much tread remaining, 6/32+, these tires are done.
I really expected AH to kick in when the car was sliding sideways. I regained control easily enough but still, my C5's AH would have activated.
Those of you that are activating AH must really be pushing it. I need to find a safe (open) place and push to the point where AH activates. Just don't know which open that parking lot is yet.
New tires are in my not to distant future.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 8,099
Likes: 398
From: Oakland, CA
I got good grip from my Goodyear Supercars until they were down to 2/32". Don't know about the standard tires.
To confirm Active Handling functionality, find an empty parking lot, disable traction control but leave AH enabled, then (1) mash the gas and (2) yank the wheel. A 400+hp 3200lb RWD car with worn hard tires should have no trouble getting sideways without electronic intervention.
Maybe you're just so quick to countersteer yourself that Active Handling never has anything to do? Me, I'm pretty ham-fisted, and unless the car's in Competition Mode, Active Handling corrects sooner than I can.
.Jinx
To confirm Active Handling functionality, find an empty parking lot, disable traction control but leave AH enabled, then (1) mash the gas and (2) yank the wheel. A 400+hp 3200lb RWD car with worn hard tires should have no trouble getting sideways without electronic intervention.
Maybe you're just so quick to countersteer yourself that Active Handling never has anything to do? Me, I'm pretty ham-fisted, and unless the car's in Competition Mode, Active Handling corrects sooner than I can.
.Jinx
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
I'm glad this thread came up,cause i need to get my checked.I have a 08 A6-Z51 with cam.intake long tubes & tune.At times i will take the TC off & at about 20 mph i go wot & when it hits the next gear it goes completely side ways & i let off the petal to get it back inline,so i guess my AH is not working????
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 4
From: foothills of Northern California
I'm glad this thread came up,cause i need to get my checked.I have a 08 A6-Z51 with cam.intake long tubes & tune.At times i will take the TC off & at about 20 mph i go wot & when it hits the next gear it goes completely side ways & i let off the petal to get it back inline,so i guess my AH is not working????
You really dont need to let up in your situation IMO unless the back is coming around. The most fun thing to do is to steer out of a powerslide instead. It takes some getting used to.
With the C6 power you will loose traction without trying also somtimes.
AH detects extreme changes in Yaw and then kicks in.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
mine engages if i take a traffic circle too quickly... but watch out it will bring you around more than you were expecting. ie... if you were counting on a little kick out and understeer it will bring it right around and you may have over steered.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
Your AH is fine but not activatied in that situation. With TC off the C6 will let you light up in WOT and get pretty sideways even during a normal spirited launch.
You really dont need to let up in your situation IMO unless the back is coming around. The most fun thing to do is to steer out of a powerslide instead. It takes some getting used to.
With the C6 power you will loose traction without trying also somtimes.
AH detects extreme changes in Yaw and then kicks in.
You really dont need to let up in your situation IMO unless the back is coming around. The most fun thing to do is to steer out of a powerslide instead. It takes some getting used to.
With the C6 power you will loose traction without trying also somtimes.
AH detects extreme changes in Yaw and then kicks in.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
I never turn off the safety nannies when I'm on the track, theres no need, but I can tell you from personal experience on a track that it saved my car and butt on at least 3 occasions. Once I know how it felt/responded and what I was doing to cause it to engage it made my driving easier.
Ton
Ton