I'm actually quite surprised that AH didn't save you. This is my first Vette with AH and I've tested it in both oversteer and understeer situations (pretty severe) and it pulled it right back in line even when I was trying to get it sideways. I did this on dry pavement and (of course) in an abandoned parking lot, but I wanted to know how the system reacted under conditions I could control before it happens on the road.

I was really quite amazed at what it would do. The fact that it could control understeer surprised me the most, but the moment that front end started to plow, I saw the AH message on the DIC and sure enough, it threw the front end right around the corner as if some invisible hand reached down and gave it a little nudge.

There's one lesson to be learned with AH though. It can't change the laws of physics. Everything has limits.

Mike

 

I pulled out to take a left turn in my c5 and gave it too much gas and it ended in totaling the car
The traction control / AH kicked in and i could not gain control over it.!!!!!!!!
I will tell you one thing for all the performance engineering that goes into the vette.
The saftey engineering saved my life.
I I ended up getting hit head on going 10mph and the car that hit me was going 50.
I walked away with minor cuts from flying debris (I had the top down) .
The emts were amazed at how the car held up!! Head ON
The only good thing is i got $42 k from the insurance and am waiting to order my c6.

Here are some pics
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/phot...=15333&thumb=1

 

This may be one of those old wives' tales but I have heard that most of the Corvettes that get totalled have it occur within the first 24 hours of ownership.

Sorry to hear about your mishap, but you were very lucky - it could have been much worse.

 

If you are going to drive the car and keep it under control you would turn off the AH and TC to be able to use all the power at your discrection without the AH and TC limiting the vehicles abilities.

But in order to do that safely you need to be a very competent driver.

The AH and TC inhibit your ability to use the power when you decide you need it and I agree that is dangerous.

IMHO the systems are there to try to save over-exhuberent driving that happens as a mis-judgement or mis-calculation by an untrained driver.

I completely buy the idea you may have saved the car if your inputs had not been over-ridden by the AH/TC system.

Very few people would be able to keep their newer model cars on the road if it weren't for these systems, they simply do not have the experience to driver them at the limit especially with the higher and higher power ratings.

I would never suggest anyone turn off AH/TC, but if you know how to drive you will be faster and more in control.

As far as the systems being able to save any situation, not hardly. The C6 will swap ends as fast as any other vette even with AH/TC fully engaged.

Try this in a big open area on dry pavement if you want.

Make sure the AH/TC system is fully active. From a stop simulate a left turn as if you were at a light, accelerate slowly as normal then turning the wheel more than 15- 20 degrees to the left as you mash the throttle. You will be backwards quicker than you can blink.

There is no AH/TC system on earth that can prevent stupidity on the drivers behalf.

 

It's an inside joke...if you've been around lately you'd get it.

 

What you are describing is EXACTLY what happened to me!!!!
I wish i had it shut off that day
I had my 01 for 3 years and have driven it in manny situations and one day i take a left from a stand still and that was the end of my c5!
When i get my c6 i think i am going to go to the local industrial park and push the car on takeing turns with the ah and tc on and off
But i will tell you one thing i will always tern verry slowly out of parking lots on streets!

 

I wanted to see how the car handled with the tail hanging out so on one of my favorite off ramps with a nice tight 270 degree turn back underneath the freeway I turned off the traction control and gave her a bit of juice to put the back end out. Heh, I went into a positively lurid slide with full countersteer to correct. This was far from the modest hang I had been planning. Had there been a curb I would have made my introductions. I chose the place because I had room there to screw up. Good thing. At any rate Im new to this myself and have been thinking of taking a driving school both for the fun of it and to learn some skills that I have proven to myself I dont have. Yet.

 

Sorry to hear about our misfortune, I'm sure your anxious to get in your C6. Good Luck.

 

Best of luck,hope you get back on the road soon!

 

ow

 

soory to about your accident

 

I've taken advanced driving classes and have an active SCCA racing license, but I rarely drive all out on public roads. I save my fast driving for the track. Too many variables on public roads that could lead to catastrophic consequencies.

Sorry to hear about your accident, but you got off lucky. I've seen inexperienced and even experienced drivers suffer deadly consequencies from speeding on public roads. Sorry for the preaching, but save the fast driving for the track. It's a lot more fun and it's legal.

 

Glad your OK... yep it could of been worse... you gotta becareful out there... the car is very powerful... I try not to ever push the limits its just not worth it... Hope you get it fixed up....

 

Here's two cents that helped me out a lot. It came from my instructor at Russell Racing (Sears Point/Infineon Raceway). Treat the gas pedal like there is an egg between it and your right foot. Always squeeze gently down and back up. Never snap the throttle open or closed at a fast rate (unless you need to stunt drive)...