Traction Control question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Springfield Ohio
Traction Control question
It’s cold here in Ohio but I’ve had to drive the Vette a couple of times lately. On two occasions the back end has broken loose violently to the right while accelerating, once on cold dry pavement medium throttle in second and the other on cold wet pavement, medium throttle in third. Both times the rpm was going past 3500 which is the beginning of serious HP, even on the “baby” LS3. The traction control was ON and I guess I expected a gentler transition to an out-of-control condition. Is this an indication of a problem? There are no errors on the DIC.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,272
Likes: 8,545
From: Rochester, NY
That is about as gentle as it gets, just think of how the car would react without TC. I do not think you have any problems with your system. From my experience what you describe is normal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Believe it or not, there's intentionally some wheel spin dialed into the TC system for safety reason's. My C5 would allow absolutely no wheel spin at all. When pulling out into traffic on loose pavement the car just flat out died, and almost got rear ended a few time's. Think GM know's what they're doing on the newer system's.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Consider it a safety warning. Cold temperatures, cold pavement couple with cold tires are a recipe for disaster. I doubt anything is wrong with your car...traction control is not a fail safe. Instead of medium throttle I suggest low throttle and use extreme care until you get a feel for how conditions are. Just putting around on the street you're not going to put much heat into your tires. When conditions are iffy I like to get in a safe place and test the car...give it some gas, maybe stab the brakes, turn sharply and see what happens. Get a feel for conditions before they catch you off guard and something really bad happens.
About a month ago I was on my out lap just turning onto the road course at Phoenix International Raceway (with racing slicks, traction control off). It was 8AM with a temperature of 29 degrees. I knew to be careful. Just turning onto the track I spun my car around like it was on ice. I felt like an idiot but I watched the video later...I did not give the car much gas at all (but still driver error). Despite being careful it happend. It was a wake-up call for me...I was very cautious the rest of the day.
About a month ago I was on my out lap just turning onto the road course at Phoenix International Raceway (with racing slicks, traction control off). It was 8AM with a temperature of 29 degrees. I knew to be careful. Just turning onto the track I spun my car around like it was on ice. I felt like an idiot but I watched the video later...I did not give the car much gas at all (but still driver error). Despite being careful it happend. It was a wake-up call for me...I was very cautious the rest of the day.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
Consider it a safety warning. Cold temperatures, cold pavement couple with cold tires are a recipe for disaster. I doubt anything is wrong with your car...traction control is not a fail safe. Instead of medium throttle I suggest low throttle and use extreme care until you get a feel for how conditions are. Just putting around on the street you're not going to put much heat into your tires. When conditions are iffy I like to get in a safe place and test the car...give it some gas, maybe stab the brakes, turn sharply and see what happens. Get a feel for conditions before they catch you off guard and something really bad happens.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 719
From: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL
It’s cold here in Ohio but I’ve had to drive the Vette a couple of times lately. On two occasions the back end has broken loose violently to the right while accelerating, once on cold dry pavement medium throttle in second and the other on cold wet pavement, medium throttle in third. Both times the rpm was going past 3500 which is the beginning of serious HP, even on the “baby” LS3. The traction control was ON and I guess I expected a gentler transition to an out-of-control condition. Is this an indication of a problem? There are no errors on the DIC.
Aside from the road conditions being Cold, regardless of wet or dry,.. the tires are also Cold.
When the tires are cold they get like Hocky pucks
Personally, I start noticing loss of traction anytime the temperature drops below 40.
I can imagine how much worse it is near or below 30.
IMO, Caution is the order of the day
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