Question about traction control
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 517
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From: Winter Garden FL
Question about traction control
So i am driving on a deserted highway(closed track) yesterday at a very high speed testing out my new wheels with a corrected balance(they seemed hoppy the night before), anyhow, when i hit a certain speed, i see "traction control on" in the DIC.
Now at this point i am pressing the gas and i start to feel the car start to slow down as if something kicked in ( like a speed governor ) to force slow the car.
Is this normal, should i have changed the driving mode before doing my test run? Thoughts?
Now at this point i am pressing the gas and i start to feel the car start to slow down as if something kicked in ( like a speed governor ) to force slow the car.
Is this normal, should i have changed the driving mode before doing my test run? Thoughts?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,151
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I have switched between traction control on, and traction control off in my 2011 GS A6 ... I can't tell that traction control changes anything.
I even made a couple of full throttle launches from a dead stop with the traction control on and off ... lots of wheelspin, but no real difference that I could tell.
At this point, I don't even know what traction control really does ... Maybe it only works when your in the "S" postion on an A6 car and using the paddles?
I have stock sized Nitto Invo tires (non run-flats) on the car.
I even made a couple of full throttle launches from a dead stop with the traction control on and off ... lots of wheelspin, but no real difference that I could tell.
At this point, I don't even know what traction control really does ... Maybe it only works when your in the "S" postion on an A6 car and using the paddles?
I have stock sized Nitto Invo tires (non run-flats) on the car.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Anytime you go WOT I suggest you shutoff TC...you don't want the system fighting your efforts to accelerate.
BTW, since when is a deserted highway a "closed track?"
If you ever push it on a road course you'd know immediately if TC was on. Using TC on a road course is IMO flat dangerous! You expect the car to do one thing and it does something else. I suggest using comp mode which shuts off TC and reduces the level of active handling intervention. After a while, even comp mode becomes a hindrance on a road course. FWIW whenever you go WOT always shutoff TC.
FYI traction control limits wheel spin. If the system senses that the rear wheels are spinning too much or are beginning to lose traction it works the rear brakes and reduces engine power (by closing the throttle and managing engine spark) to limit wheel spin. That said, from a launch I can seemingly 'over-power' traction control and generate wheel spin with ease.
BTW, since when is a deserted highway a "closed track?"
I have switched between traction control on, and traction control off in my 2011 GS A6 ... I can't tell that traction control changes anything.
I even made a couple of full throttle launches from a dead stop with the traction control on and off ... lots of wheelspin, but no real difference that I could tell.
At this point, I don't even know what traction control really does ... Maybe it only works when your in the "S" postion on an A6 car and using the paddles?
I have stock sized Nitto Invo tires (non run-flats) on the car.
I even made a couple of full throttle launches from a dead stop with the traction control on and off ... lots of wheelspin, but no real difference that I could tell.
At this point, I don't even know what traction control really does ... Maybe it only works when your in the "S" postion on an A6 car and using the paddles?
I have stock sized Nitto Invo tires (non run-flats) on the car.
FYI traction control limits wheel spin. If the system senses that the rear wheels are spinning too much or are beginning to lose traction it works the rear brakes and reduces engine power (by closing the throttle and managing engine spark) to limit wheel spin. That said, from a launch I can seemingly 'over-power' traction control and generate wheel spin with ease.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 52
From: Salt Lake City, UT
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I have switched between traction control on, and traction control off in my 2011 GS A6 ... I can't tell that traction control changes anything.
I even made a couple of full throttle launches from a dead stop with the traction control on and off ... lots of wheelspin, but no real difference that I could tell.
At this point, I don't even know what traction control really does ... Maybe it only works when your in the "S" postion on an A6 car and using the paddles?
I have stock sized Nitto Invo tires (non run-flats) on the car.
I even made a couple of full throttle launches from a dead stop with the traction control on and off ... lots of wheelspin, but no real difference that I could tell.
At this point, I don't even know what traction control really does ... Maybe it only works when your in the "S" postion on an A6 car and using the paddles?
I have stock sized Nitto Invo tires (non run-flats) on the car.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,151
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Has anyone here ran a full 1/4 mile pass with it on then off just to see the difference in the ET / MPH ?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
If you stomp the gas pedal the vehicle will act like it is confused for about 1 sec which is actually a long time for a Vette accelerating. Rotate the pedal and you will have better luck. I stomped on mine before and I was lucky to get up to 60 by 5.5 seconds. I am at 4300 feet. I tried it with TC off and it was about 4.5.
TC light can be anything, maybe a wheel sensor sensed something was going bad or you hit a slight bump. Check your brake fluid level as that set off the TC light on my Impala if it is low.
TC light can be anything, maybe a wheel sensor sensed something was going bad or you hit a slight bump. Check your brake fluid level as that set off the TC light on my Impala if it is low.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
So i am driving on a deserted highway(closed track) yesterday at a very high speed testing out my new wheels with a corrected balance(they seemed hoppy the night before), anyhow, when i hit a certain speed, i see "traction control on" in the DIC.
Now at this point i am pressing the gas and i start to feel the car start to slow down as if something kicked in ( like a speed governor ) to force slow the car.
Is this normal, should i have changed the driving mode before doing my test run? Thoughts?
Now at this point i am pressing the gas and i start to feel the car start to slow down as if something kicked in ( like a speed governor ) to force slow the car.
Is this normal, should i have changed the driving mode before doing my test run? Thoughts?
Do you remember hitting any bumps? They don't need to be big bumps but small ones like an uneven pavement seam that will cause a wheel to slightly change its rotational speed. At lower speeds that might not get a reaction out of TC but as the speed gets higher the system like a human has to react quicker.
Did the car slow down for just a short period and then pick up speed?
Despite what some people claim an activation will not cause you to lose control of the car. Just will not happen.
Bill
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
My cars a Z06, and traction control makes a huge difference. Recall when I first got it taking a friend for a ride. Thing just died when punching it in first gear. When a do over with T/C off, wholly crap. The button gets pushed immediately upon start after that.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
From: Winter Garden FL
Yes it seemed to just start slowing down even though my foot was on the gas. Very dogged feeling.
Sounds like i just need to turn off TC to avoid this though. How about competitive driving mode?
Thanks for the feedback guys, its really helping me wrap my head around this since there are a few different driving modes available.
Every other car, if i wanted more power i just turned TC off, but the mode change button had me wondering.. Course i have never had TC dog a car, just kept them from going fast quickly.
Sounds like i just need to turn off TC to avoid this though. How about competitive driving mode?
Thanks for the feedback guys, its really helping me wrap my head around this since there are a few different driving modes available.
Every other car, if i wanted more power i just turned TC off, but the mode change button had me wondering.. Course i have never had TC dog a car, just kept them from going fast quickly.
Since you said you have stock size tires that eliminates one big source of these types of posts: incorrect tires.
Do you remember hitting any bumps? They don't need to be big bumps but small ones like an uneven pavement seam that will cause a wheel to slightly change its rotational speed. At lower speeds that might not get a reaction out of TC but as the speed gets higher the system like a human has to react quicker.
Did the car slow down for just a short period and then pick up speed?
Despite what some people claim an activation will not cause you to lose control of the car. Just will not happen.
Bill
Do you remember hitting any bumps? They don't need to be big bumps but small ones like an uneven pavement seam that will cause a wheel to slightly change its rotational speed. At lower speeds that might not get a reaction out of TC but as the speed gets higher the system like a human has to react quicker.
Did the car slow down for just a short period and then pick up speed?
Despite what some people claim an activation will not cause you to lose control of the car. Just will not happen.
Bill
