Traction Control

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Jun 4, 2015 | 11:30 AM

Allbrite

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Apr 2014

Posts: 33

Likes: 3

From: Augusta Georgia

Traction Control

I see videos on you tube of guys drag racing their vettes. Why do most guys turn off traction control off?

Jun 4, 2015 | 12:50 PM

Tonylmiller

Race Director

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 12,971

Likes: 817

From: Huntsville AL

If you are REALLY good, you can get a better time without it.

Jun 4, 2015 | 04:46 PM

NoXcape

Instructor

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 212

Likes: 3

From: Melbourne Florida

I you start to spin your tires the computer with Traction Control ON will start to reduce your timing and you will go slower.

Jun 5, 2015 | 08:08 AM

FortMorganAl

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 8,514

Likes: 235

From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonylmiller

If you are REALLY good, you can get a better time without it.

And most guys think they are much better than they actually are. You have to be really, REALLY good to be faster than a computer. If you spin the tires the computer will pull power. If you turn the computer off you will have to pull the power yourself. Yes, it is possible to be better than the computer with LOTS of practice but the vast majority would do better to concentrate on things the computer can't control like cutting a faster light. Get those things down first and then work on getting your reaction time faster than the computer.

Jun 5, 2015 | 07:17 PM

chaver450

Instructor

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 234

Likes: 3

From: AZ

My A6 absolutely will not shift with traction control on while the tires are spinning, (which is every time I get on it...supercharged). It'll bounce off the rev limiter and I look and sound like a goon...hate it when I don't disable it...usually the first thing I do after start up.

Jun 5, 2015 | 07:59 PM

4SUMERZ

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 11,353

Likes: 2,445

From: Eastern

Most people that drag race their C6's, will go to Competitive Mode (Traction Control OFF but Active Handling ON)
Let's the tires spin, but will save your butt if your car starts swerving out of control.

Jun 6, 2015 | 08:32 AM

FortMorganAl

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 8,514

Likes: 235

From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaver450

That is correct and supports my point. You will accelerate faster if the tires aren't spinning. If the tires are spinning you should be backing off instead of ignoring them. But if the tires are spinning and the computer can't control it by pulling timing and applying brakes, the worst thing it could do is upshift which will initially just make the tires spin more. So, yes, with traction control on and a driver that ignores reality and just keeps pushing, the car will ultimately lose the race while turning traction control off might allow it to appear that the car is fast even though it could be even faster with a better driver.

Jun 6, 2015 | 09:17 AM

BWF07

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 9,602

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From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida

St. Jude Donor '11

Oldtimer

Quote:

Originally Posted by LV2TOUR

Don't put to much faith in Active Handling. It will help, but it is not an all encompassing savior. I autocross and I have lost the rear on my C6 and I have seem other C6 Corvette's lose it also. If you are driving hard and the car starts to get away from you you can save it some times others you cannot. I think that is where a lot of wrecked Corvette's come from. To many people believe the nannies are going to stop anything bad from happening. You still need to drive the car.