Traction Modes - What's really the difference
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Traction Modes - What's really the difference
I have read several threads that explain what all the modes are, but I am wondering how the different modes would effect my 1/4 mile times.
In my Camaro all I had was traction control off and on. On the Vette I have traction on, off, Competitive mode, and hold the button for several seconds to turn everything off. At the drag strip I have always used the later.
The reason I am asking is because if just turning off the traction control works just as good I may not have to worry about the TPMS sensors anymore. Right now I have two sensors mounted in a canister rolling around in the back, but the TPMS light still comes on while I'm driving to the track. I always carry my TPMS tool so I can trip the sensors again, but it's becoming a pain in the @$$.
In my Camaro all I had was traction control off and on. On the Vette I have traction on, off, Competitive mode, and hold the button for several seconds to turn everything off. At the drag strip I have always used the later.
The reason I am asking is because if just turning off the traction control works just as good I may not have to worry about the TPMS sensors anymore. Right now I have two sensors mounted in a canister rolling around in the back, but the TPMS light still comes on while I'm driving to the track. I always carry my TPMS tool so I can trip the sensors again, but it's becoming a pain in the @$$.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
See if this helps. I realize it doesn't answer everything you're asking.
Traction Control
There are 4 separate modes:
1. Traction Control - On .... Active Handling - On (Engages when the car is started)
This is the default mode.
This is recommended for normal driving.
2. Traction Control - Off .... Active Handling - On (Engage with 1 push of the button)
Turning off TCS allows the rear wheels to spin, but allows the Active Handling to fully assist in skid control.
This is recommended for drag racing.
3. Traction Control - Off .... Active Handling - Reduced (Engage with 2 pushes of the button)
This is the Competitive Driving Mode which allows the rear wheels to spin, while reducing some of the input that Active Handling has to assist in skid control.
This is recommended for road racing.
4. Traction Control - Off .... Active Handling - Off (Engage by holding button for at least 5 sec.)
This may be used when the driver does not want any on-board sensor input that may effect power reduction or brake application.
No rear wheel spin or vehicle skid corrections are automatically applied.
Note: The Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is always on and is unaffected by the various Traction Control or Active Handling selections that may be made above.
There are 4 separate modes:
1. Traction Control - On .... Active Handling - On (Engages when the car is started)
This is the default mode.
This is recommended for normal driving.
2. Traction Control - Off .... Active Handling - On (Engage with 1 push of the button)
Turning off TCS allows the rear wheels to spin, but allows the Active Handling to fully assist in skid control.
This is recommended for drag racing.
3. Traction Control - Off .... Active Handling - Reduced (Engage with 2 pushes of the button)
This is the Competitive Driving Mode which allows the rear wheels to spin, while reducing some of the input that Active Handling has to assist in skid control.
This is recommended for road racing.
4. Traction Control - Off .... Active Handling - Off (Engage by holding button for at least 5 sec.)
This may be used when the driver does not want any on-board sensor input that may effect power reduction or brake application.
No rear wheel spin or vehicle skid corrections are automatically applied.
Note: The Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is always on and is unaffected by the various Traction Control or Active Handling selections that may be made above.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 335
Likes: 28
Odd, when I've wanted to play around a bit I just hit the button once (I thought I was turning everything off), and it lets me hang the rear end out quite nicely. But if I leave it in the default mode, it cuts power at the first hint of a slide. By those descriptions I would have thought hitting just once wouldn't allow a slide either but it does.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 5
From: Canton MI
Active handling reduced aka Comp mode realllllly lets the car get out on you.
I always ran comp mode in my c5 and it came on quickly. The one on the c6 has quite a bit more leeway, just an FYI.
I always ran comp mode in my c5 and it came on quickly. The one on the c6 has quite a bit more leeway, just an FYI.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 221
From: Minot ND
I don't have PTM so I prefer to drive in competitve mode. I like to be able to spin the tires with no intervention and have no intervention in steering inputs unless I'm really sideways. It annoying adding countersteer and then having active handling kick on, which upsets the chassis.
