I have been playing around with Traction Control and Active Handling and I can't seem tell a difference between Normal, TC off, Competition, TC/AH off. I have driven the car both hard and soft, but no real difference, to me. Fact is, if it was for the DIC message of which mode I was in, I would not be able to tell mode I was in-am I missing something here? Since this is first vette and first experience with TC/AH, what should I be seeing and feeling.

 

Wait until it rains.

Or go do it on a track.

To tell a real difference requires either slippery conditions or track speeds.

 

You mentioned this is your first Corvette, but I don't know your general experience level in high performance driving. If you have had no track experience, please don't rush out and take silly chances. But, it sounds as if you haven't pushed the car very near its limits yet. You will find, when it's safe to do it, that the default setting (TC and AH full on) is considerably more intrusive in your driving than the competition mode. But that is not necessarily a bad thing, because this is a great system, and will not interfere until it is needed, at least in any typical public road situation. After you become comfortable driving the car more aggressively, you may find that the normal TC/AH mode will step in before you want it, and get in the way just a bit in handling a turn. I highly recommend going to a track school, where your instructor can help you a lot. And, this system is a great teaching tool itself. As you build speed (on a track), you may get to the point where you are overdriving the car, keeping AH engaged a lot. That is not the time to shut it off! As you monitor your speed, and find the system intermittently kicking in slightly, you are probably ready to try the competitive mode, where you will have a bit more freedom in managing the car, but still have a safety net. The CM is so good, I believe very few folks can outdrive it. Good luck, have fun and be careful.

 

Are you good at detecting slight slip angles on the tires? Slight car yaw? Can you predictably hold the same slight yaw angle in a long sweeper? If so, you should be able to tell the differences. Start with all electronic aids off and run a sweeper or two at your local road race course...then turn it all on full...then back off to the comp mode...you should definitely feel the difference. I race in a sedan series and can tell you Dave Hill's team got this one right including the controls over the system...

 

Go to your local back road. Stop. In 1st gear hold RPM to 2,200. Release clutch as you put pedal to the medal. Wind ‘er up to 6,500 RPM and speed shift into 2nd. Repeat the above with Trac Cont OFF and report the results. You will be pleasantly suprised

 

Attended Driving Schools at Hockhiem and Nürburgring thanks to Uncle Sammie's Army-Hockhiem was more about high speed car handling, while Nürburgring was more track racing. I have owned sports cars and GT's since I was 18 years old and spent 8 years in Germany when in my twenties (for note a few districts in Germany do have speed limits for their area of the autobahn system.)

While I do not race on public roads, but do like the twisty(those few that are around the Tampa), one fishtail is handled just like another regardless of TC/AH modes, over/understreer issues are treated the same etc etc

 

Go find a real big, wide open, isolated parking lot and from a stand still floor it with the TC and AH off. Then Turn TC back on along with AH and do it again, You will feel and notice the difference.

 

basically in normal mode you will notice quicker recovery of the vechicle once it breaks loose, either front or rear, in comp. mode the rear is all yours but the front belongs to the computer - helps point the car where you want it before the front gets hinky, with the system completly disabled you are back into the old muscle car of years past and it's all up to you.


in summary the system only helps recovery once it breaks loose and / or prolongs control before it breaks loose.

-zig

 

excellent answere...now tell me with a a4 850 miles on it what rpm would you build up to launch..i have used1200 to 1500 but that seems alittle light...

 

I just got back from a week in the Mts. Trust me...there is a BIG difference with the system off and on. I also learned just how smart the algorythm tranny is. Amazing.......

 

Okay I can get a handle on that, thanks!

 

Power brake it 'til the wheels start to spin then nail the throttle and slide your foot off the brake.-BINGO!

 

Sorry!-just noticed you have a m6. Different technique needed; Take it up to 4K, simultaneously nail it and release the clutch-enjoy the smell of burning rubber!