2009 C6 Automatic LS3 Traction Control Question
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 23
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From: St. Charles Louisana
2009 C6 Automatic LS3 Traction Control Question
When we first bought our 2009 Automatic LS3 Coupe, leaving the traction control on and putting the gas pedal to the floor. The back end would bite down & it felt like it was going to pull the front tires off the ground 
( little to no spinning of the rear tires ). Now that it has just over 2,000 miles on it & only running Chevron 93 octane in it. Leaving the traction control on, it is now spinning the rear tires all the way through first & a nice rip at second, is this normal 
? Or is my traction control not working? Not even getting any traction control alarm flashing on the dash either. This happens in normal drive & sport modes. Many thanks in advance
( little to no spinning of the rear tires ). Now that it has just over 2,000 miles on it & only running Chevron 93 octane in it. Leaving the traction control on, it is now spinning the rear tires all the way through first & a nice rip at second, is this normal ? Or is my traction control not working? Not even getting any traction control alarm flashing on the dash either. This happens in normal drive & sport modes. Many thanks in advance
Last edited by Mr. Luke; Feb 23, 2009 at 01:27 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,711
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From: Middle of No where AK
Its possible that its not working. Does the car feel like its lurching a little. The TC works by pulling timing. If the car doesnt think its slipping it wont pull timing. Maybe your tires just arent gripping as well.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 23
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From: St. Charles Louisana
No, the car does not feel like it is lurching at all. My tire pressure has went down a little though. It was at 31 PSI and is now at 28 PSI, I thought that this would help, but it has not. You may have a good thought on it being the tires ( run flats ). Thanks for the response.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Middle of No where AK
The run flats tend to get harder and slicker with age it was this way with mine at least. I had pretty much the same problem the TC just didnt think the tires were slipping. I got new tires and it worked untill I just got rid of the TC compltely.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 23
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From: St. Charles Louisana
here in Louisana, now it is in the 50's / 60's.
Last edited by Mr. Luke; Feb 21, 2009 at 10:12 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 23
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From: St. Charles Louisana
Thanks for the help.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
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From: Makena, Maui & NM
Do you have the Z51 option with the "Supercar" tires? I bet you do. If so, sorry to say, your traction problems are directly related to colder ambient air temps. Those tires start to fall flat on their tread faces (read notoriously poor traction) when stomping on the gas at around 55* and really gets bad below 45*. As for your rear tires pressures, you will get better traction at 27-28 psi, providing the air temps are in your tires traction range.
Last edited by siffert; Feb 25, 2009 at 10:53 PM.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles Louisana
Do you have the Z51 option with the "Supercar" tires? I bet you do. If so, sorry to say, your traction problems are directly related to colder ambient air temps. Those tires start to fall flat on their tread faces (read notoriously poor traction) at around 55* and really gets bad below 45*. As for your rear tires pressures, you will get better traction at 27-28 psi, providing the air temps are in your tires traction range.
We didn't even realize or think about this being an option, but it sure does make sense. Can't wait for Summer to be back!! 
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
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From: Makena, Maui & NM
I sacrifice a bit of grip in high temps but they really shine below 55*. In fact, I can go from a red light at WOT with NO traction/spinning problems at 20*!! Try that with those SuperCars! On second thought, dont-you'll be off the road!
Seriously, you have to be very careful with those tires in mild/colder weather.
Last edited by siffert; Feb 22, 2009 at 09:03 AM.
Safety Car
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From: Makena, Maui & NM
I think you misread the OP. He wasnt describing 100% spinning all the time, just when "putting the gas pedal to the floor". I think you should recheck the tire model you got if you can punch it from a standing start at WOT in snow or ice conditions and getting no spinning on Supercars even with TC on. Dont think you got them on your car.
Last edited by siffert; Feb 22, 2009 at 11:08 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 598
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From: Farmington MI
I think you misread the OP. He wasnt describing 100% spinning all the time, just when "putting the gas pedal to the floor". I think you should recheck the tire model you got if you can punch it from a standing start at WOT in snow or ice conditions and getting no spinning on Supercars even with TC on. Dont think you got them on your car. And you are right, I have winter tires, but has nothing to do with what I believe is being decribed.
Last edited by avizandum; Feb 22, 2009 at 05:14 PM.
Safety Car
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From: Makena, Maui & NM
I don't spin even on ice & snow as I said. Sure, the tires will break grip very briefly, but TC kicks in and there is no spin unlike OPs post that describes, "spinning the rear tires all the way through first".
And you are right, I have winter tires, but has nothing to do with what I believe is being decribed.
And you are right, I have winter tires, but has nothing to do with what I believe is being decribed.
You can get spinning of the SuperCar rear tires all the way through first gear (and even 2cd gear) even with TC on if you keep the throttle to the floor in snow, ice, cold/mild ambient temps or even with 600 hp. While the TCS system attempts to limit spin (with the driver aiding it by deaccelerating) , it does not neccessarily eliminate it.
I think the core issue here is indeed I and the OP differ on what "you think is being described here".
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 962
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From: SPRING HILL FL
Try driving it with the TC off, then on. Is there a difference?I drive mine with it off most of the time. Get use to driving the car with it off. Then if one day you do jump on it you will know how it will react.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 23
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From: St. Charles Louisana
to see what it does. Thanks for the response.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 6
From: Makena, Maui & NM
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles Louisana
& the Vette is back to it's old self again. Very little to no spinning & trying to lift the front wheels off the ground I ran a Dodge Challenger today from a red light and let's just say, he will be thinking twice before running a Vette again Tomorrow the temperature is exspected to be in the high 70's
and I can't wait to find my next victim 
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
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From: Makena, Maui & NM
Your next task is to practice with TC off (in warm weather with the tires warmed up). You will get faster times off the light (albeit at a possible slight loss of traction-ie: more spin) without the computer controlling your traction. Dont forget to always make your street "runs" in "S" mode-its the fastest mode and will shift for you near redline. Rear tire pressure should be set at 27-28 lbs cold as well. Good luck!
Last edited by siffert; Feb 25, 2009 at 10:52 PM.