Launch Control
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 102
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Launch Control
I decided to try it out and I may have done something wrong here but I really don't see the performance purpose. Now to explain. I did a launch control and did a quite impressive burn out but the problem is that if I had not eventually let off the throttle, I would have simply burned my tires down to the rims. LOL I was on a standard asphalt road and outside temp was about 65 degrees. It just didn't grab traction so I had to let off a bit then romp on it again to get moving. My 2014 A6 has around 3000 miles on it so the tires are still in great condition. The roads were not at all wet. Has anyone experienced the same situation? Any suggestions?
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 84
Likes: 11
From: Las Vegas Nevada
I just completed the Ron Fellows Performance Driving course a few days ago and the instructors demonstrated launch control. They said that if you didn't mash the throttle in fast and let the rpm stabilize and/or didn't pop the clutch out fast enough that the computer would disengage launch control mode and you would just smoke the tires. They really stressed this point to the class. Sounds like maybe you are exiting launch control without realizing it?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 782
Likes: 25
From: Cape Coral Fla.
Haven't tried launch control in my A6 yet but have been doing some reading on how. You still have to set you car up to perform launch control as if it were a manual. You didn't mention this in your post so I was just curious if you did so?
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
From what I have read here, seems launch control really abuses the car especially if you mess up. Not for me, I will accelerate manually without the aid of computer assist (I never get close to the rev limiter).
Racer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 450
Likes: 122
From: Mount Airy MD
I just completed the Ron Fellows Performance Driving course a few days ago and the instructors demonstrated launch control. They said that if you didn't mash the throttle in fast and let the rpm stabilize and/or didn't pop the clutch out fast enough that the computer would disengage launch control mode and you would just smoke the tires. They really stressed this point to the class. Sounds like maybe you are exiting launch control without realizing it?
Just curious -- let the rpm stabilize at around what rpm?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2014
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You read many things both good and bad in the forums. The fact is that the C7 was engineered to perform Launch Control. This is not something we are doing with cars that is NOT RECOMMENDED by GM. This is something not only recommended by GM but also GM advises that the car was built to be able to do this without damaging any component. I suspect many hours of research and development went into Launch Control. I for one did not buy a $70,000 car for ALL SHOW / NO GO !!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
I just completed the Ron Fellows Performance Driving course a few days ago and the instructors demonstrated launch control. They said that if you didn't mash the throttle in fast and let the rpm stabilize and/or didn't pop the clutch out fast enough that the computer would disengage launch control mode and you would just smoke the tires. They really stressed this point to the class. Sounds like maybe you are exiting launch control without realizing it?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,070
Likes: 162
From: Coralville Iowa
You read many things both good and bad in the forums. The fact is that the C7 was engineered to perform Launch Control. This is not something we are doing with cars that is NOT RECOMMENDED by GM. This is something not only recommended by GM but also GM advises that the car was built to be able to do this without damaging any component. I suspect many hours of research and development went into Launch Control. I for one did not buy a $70,000 car for ALL SHOW / NO GO !!!
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2014
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,070
Likes: 162
From: Coralville Iowa
Depends on your age and maturity. The warranty isn't infinite - I'd worry about the abuse inflicted in the youth of the car showing at a later time.
Last edited by mksz51; Nov 30, 2014 at 08:04 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
Likes: 629
From: Manheim Pennsylvania
You read many things both good and bad in the forums. The fact is that the C7 was engineered to perform Launch Control. This is not something we are doing with cars that is NOT RECOMMENDED by GM. This is something not only recommended by GM but also GM advises that the car was built to be able to do this without damaging any component. I suspect many hours of research and development went into Launch Control. I for one did not buy a $70,000 car for ALL SHOW / NO GO !!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 102
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I am not a waxer, and my car does go out in the rain. Compaired with some, I do very little maintenance. I like rural roads and triple digit speeds, however I will not take the chance of blowing my engine up attaining 60 mph in the blink of an eye. I have not even played with the 0 to sixty timer (afraid I'll get carried away and blow up my engine). Never said the desire wasn't there.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 190
From: SoCal
IIRC A6 launch control stabilizes RPM at around 2k (I drive M7, stabilizes at 4k). It will be very obvious. Your foot will be on the floor (mash it... seriously, if you are timid it will disengage) and the RPM will be rock steady at 2k. If stable, release the brake as fast as you can and you will quickly hit 88mph and find yourself in 1985.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
IIRC A6 launch control stabilizes RPM at around 2k (I drive M7, stabilizes at 4k). It will be very obvious. Your foot will be on the floor (mash it... seriously, if you are timid it will disengage) and the RPM will be rock steady at 2k. If stable, release the brake as fast as you can and you will quickly hit 88mph and find yourself in 1985.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 84
Likes: 11
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Of note, they stressed that GM does cover launch control issues under warranty for unlimited attempts. For comparison, they said the GT-R only allows 10 launches and then you void your warranty--yikes!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7,392
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From: Ahead of You :)
St. Jude Donor '14
hmm I'll have to try this on the C7. I tried it a while back on my C6 and from what I'm reading it may have exited launch control because I got a tire fest of smoke.
It's against my instinct to just pop the clutch while having pedal to the floor. I had it stabilize at 4000rpms but I felt wrong just popping the clutch. Now at over 600rwhp there's no way in hell I'm doing that on my C6 or bye bye drivetrain.
I'll have to play with it on the C7.
It's against my instinct to just pop the clutch while having pedal to the floor. I had it stabilize at 4000rpms but I felt wrong just popping the clutch. Now at over 600rwhp there's no way in hell I'm doing that on my C6 or bye bye drivetrain.
I'll have to play with it on the C7.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,894
Likes: 1,563
From: Calgary Alberta
I am not a waxer, and my car does go out in the rain. Compaired with some, I do very little maintenance. I like rural roads and triple digit speeds, however I will not take the chance of blowing my engine up attaining 60 mph in the blink of an eye. I have not even played with the 0 to sixty timer (afraid I'll get carried away and blow up my engine). Never said the desire wasn't there.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
Didn't even know they had put launch control in the auto in the C7. I don't think that was available with the C6. I always thought the traction control would limit wheel spin in an auto and that the stall speed in the tranny would limit the rpm to about 2,000 rpm, at least it did on my previous auto's. At least the Corvette Black Book only mentions this feature available with the stick in the C6. Learned something new.
I think this car even rev matches with the auto on down shifts, at least in the Sport mode I leave it in. The first time I went from second to first at about 20 mph I was surprised that the engine revved before the shift. Great sound.
I think this car even rev matches with the auto on down shifts, at least in the Sport mode I leave it in. The first time I went from second to first at about 20 mph I was surprised that the engine revved before the shift. Great sound.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 175
Likes: 44
From: Ormond Beach, FL
A8 here and launch control works like a charm. RPM doesn't go higher than 3000 then stabilizes almost immediately at right around 1200. Simple process just as described in the owners manual. Let off the brake and it's gone as long as the wheel is straight and the go pedal is floored. Wheel spin is almost non existent.
Recently hit the 500 mile mark and have been experimenting. Aside from launch control, there is a very clear difference in driving modes. In Tour mode, spirited driving, there isn't a huge difference from normal driving. In Sport mode it clearly holds lower gears longer and stays in those lower gears longer during spirited driving. Emphasis on the spirited driving part here. Normal go pedal input equals normal shifts. Get on it at all and there is a very noticeable, almost violent, difference. Recommend experiencing that difference before mashing the go pedal in a populated area. Especially since the shifts in normal driving, regardless of mode, are so smooth/seamless. I didn't and had to change my shorts the first time I had it in Sport mode and tried to go around a stopped car in traffic. This isn't my first Vette either.....
Recently hit the 500 mile mark and have been experimenting. Aside from launch control, there is a very clear difference in driving modes. In Tour mode, spirited driving, there isn't a huge difference from normal driving. In Sport mode it clearly holds lower gears longer and stays in those lower gears longer during spirited driving. Emphasis on the spirited driving part here. Normal go pedal input equals normal shifts. Get on it at all and there is a very noticeable, almost violent, difference. Recommend experiencing that difference before mashing the go pedal in a populated area. Especially since the shifts in normal driving, regardless of mode, are so smooth/seamless. I didn't and had to change my shorts the first time I had it in Sport mode and tried to go around a stopped car in traffic. This isn't my first Vette either.....
Last edited by SgtMajUSMC(Ret); Dec 21, 2014 at 06:10 AM.