Launch Control
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 558
Likes: 245
From: SW Kansas
Launch Control
New 2016 base car with auto trans. I have tried out the launch control a couple of times and am not sure of the results. I've followed the instructions exactly i.e. in Track, middle button pressed twice for the two lights on the dash, stand on the brake, accelerator to the floor. The engine goes quickly to about 2000 RPM and then drops to about 1500. I let off the brake and the car seems to bog just for a second but picks up immediately and takes off. No tire spinning and except for the slight bog when the brake comes off, solid acceleration. I'm not getting 4 seconds to 60 MPH, more like 5.8 seconds but then again, it has all season tires on if that would make a difference. Does this sound correct to you more experienced folks?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 195
Likes: 75
From: san diego ca
On our last day of school at spring mountain this Thursday the instructors demonstrated launch control on a stick shift and automatic. The steering wheel must be pointed straight ahead, hard on the brake and the throttle to the floor in the track mode with the button pressed twice like you did. The automatic car rpm went to 2000, brake was released and the car took off with very little wheel spin. In the stick shift car the rpm went to 5000, hard on the brake and dropped the clutch. It had more wheel spin, the automatic was faster off the line. I suspect you did everything correct because if you did not you would have had lots of wheel spin. Not hard to spin the tires with an automatic. Next time just put the brake on, engine to 2000 rpm and see how fast you melt the tires without the launch control.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 558
Likes: 245
From: SW Kansas
On our last day of school at spring mountain this Thursday the instructors demonstrated launch control on a stick shift and automatic. The steering wheel must be pointed straight ahead, hard on the brake and the throttle to the floor in the track mode with the button pressed twice like you did. The automatic car rpm went to 2000, brake was released and the car took off with very little wheel spin. In the stick shift car the rpm went to 5000, hard on the brake and dropped the clutch. It had more wheel spin, the automatic was faster off the line. I suspect you did everything correct because if you did not you would have had lots of wheel spin. Not hard to spin the tires with an automatic. Next time just put the brake on, engine to 2000 rpm and see how fast you melt the tires without the launch control.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 1,121
From: Pasadena Texas
Here are a couple of youtube vids of me practicing my launch. Car is bone stock 2015 Z51 with the stock tires at 35 pounds. I was practicing my launch on a spring day on the side of the road. No track prep or anything, just a deserted road.
I did exactly like the book stated....panic brake, let the revs build up, then release the brake. Track mode, hit the traction control button twice to the the car in competitive mode. In the first video, you can hear me something like I can't brake enough or something like that. You can also see the car ease up and groan. I finally got a good launch for a 3.8 zero to 60 mph.
Easing up isn't good cause at the strip when you ease up and set off the timer, you've blown the run. So you have to really brake hard and ease on the throttle.
The second video was taken around 15 minutes later as I tried it all over again. This time the car reacted better to my panic braking and I got off a really great 3.6 zero to 60, which I'll take any day. I was still easing up, but not as bad as in the first video.
I did exactly like the book stated....panic brake, let the revs build up, then release the brake. Track mode, hit the traction control button twice to the the car in competitive mode. In the first video, you can hear me something like I can't brake enough or something like that. You can also see the car ease up and groan. I finally got a good launch for a 3.8 zero to 60 mph.
Easing up isn't good cause at the strip when you ease up and set off the timer, you've blown the run. So you have to really brake hard and ease on the throttle.
The second video was taken around 15 minutes later as I tried it all over again. This time the car reacted better to my panic braking and I got off a really great 3.6 zero to 60, which I'll take any day. I was still easing up, but not as bad as in the first video.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 558
Likes: 245
From: SW Kansas
Here are a couple of youtube vids of me practicing my launch. Car is bone stock 2015 Z51 with the stock tires at 35 pounds. I was practicing my launch on a spring day on the side of the road. No track prep or anything, just a deserted road.
I did exactly like the book stated....panic brake, let the revs build up, then release the brake. Track mode, hit the traction control button twice to the the car in competitive mode. In the first video, you can hear me something like I can't brake enough or something like that. You can also see the car ease up and groan. I finally got a good launch for a 3.8 zero to 60 mph.
Easing up isn't good cause at the strip when you ease up and set off the timer, you've blown the run. So you have to really brake hard and ease on the throttle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKp1lCwsRBs
The second video was taken around 15 minutes later as I tried it all over again. This time the car reacted better to my panic braking and I got off a really great 3.6 zero to 60, which I'll take any day. I was still easing up, but not as bad as in the first video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGMoFuWd0yo
I did exactly like the book stated....panic brake, let the revs build up, then release the brake. Track mode, hit the traction control button twice to the the car in competitive mode. In the first video, you can hear me something like I can't brake enough or something like that. You can also see the car ease up and groan. I finally got a good launch for a 3.8 zero to 60 mph.
Easing up isn't good cause at the strip when you ease up and set off the timer, you've blown the run. So you have to really brake hard and ease on the throttle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKp1lCwsRBs
The second video was taken around 15 minutes later as I tried it all over again. This time the car reacted better to my panic braking and I got off a really great 3.6 zero to 60, which I'll take any day. I was still easing up, but not as bad as in the first video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGMoFuWd0yo
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 558
Likes: 245
From: SW Kansas
What mode are you in when you take off? I was tempted to just leave it in tour, mash the brake, floor the pedal and release after the RPMs come up.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 824
From: Dallas Texas
Was there a general idea that using the launch control after adding a blower and such was a bad idea? I added cam, blower, meth to mine right after i got it and never used the launch control when it was stock. I thought i read somewhere that using it with a modded car was bad for the trans?
2015 A8
2015 A8
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 8,243
Likes: 4,617
From: Southwest Florida
I have a question in regards to Launch Control & Automatic Transmission.
The owner manual says to follow these instructions to initiate Launch Control.
Automatic Transmissions
* Set mode to Competitive Driving Mode (Track)
* The brake pedal must be firmly pressed to the floor, equivalent to a panic brake event.
* The accelerator pedal is rapidly applied to wide open throttle. (If the vehicle rolls due to wide open throttle, release the throttle, press the brake pedal more firmly, and re-apply the accelerator to wide open throttle.)
* The Launch Control feature will initially limit engine speed as the driver rapidly applies the accelerator pedal to wide open throttle. Allow the engine rpm to stabilize.
* A smooth, quick release of the brake pedal, while maintaining the fully pressed accelerator pedal, will manage wheel slip.
I assume prior to fully depressing the accelerator the transmission (shifter) must be in Automatic "D" and cannot be in "M" (manual/paddle shift) mode?
The owner manual says to follow these instructions to initiate Launch Control.
Automatic Transmissions
* Set mode to Competitive Driving Mode (Track)
* The brake pedal must be firmly pressed to the floor, equivalent to a panic brake event.
* The accelerator pedal is rapidly applied to wide open throttle. (If the vehicle rolls due to wide open throttle, release the throttle, press the brake pedal more firmly, and re-apply the accelerator to wide open throttle.)
* The Launch Control feature will initially limit engine speed as the driver rapidly applies the accelerator pedal to wide open throttle. Allow the engine rpm to stabilize.
* A smooth, quick release of the brake pedal, while maintaining the fully pressed accelerator pedal, will manage wheel slip.
I assume prior to fully depressing the accelerator the transmission (shifter) must be in Automatic "D" and cannot be in "M" (manual/paddle shift) mode?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 558
Likes: 245
From: SW Kansas
I have a question in regards to Launch Control & Automatic Transmission.
The owner manual says to follow these instructions to initiate Launch Control.
Automatic Transmissions
* Set mode to Competitive Driving Mode (Track)
* The brake pedal must be firmly pressed to the floor, equivalent to a panic brake event.
* The accelerator pedal is rapidly applied to wide open throttle. (If the vehicle rolls due to wide open throttle, release the throttle, press the brake pedal more firmly, and re-apply the accelerator to wide open throttle.)
* The Launch Control feature will initially limit engine speed as the driver rapidly applies the accelerator pedal to wide open throttle. Allow the engine rpm to stabilize.
* A smooth, quick release of the brake pedal, while maintaining the fully pressed accelerator pedal, will manage wheel slip.
I assume prior to fully depressing the accelerator the transmission (shifter) must be in Automatic "D" and cannot be in "M" (manual/paddle shift) mode?
The owner manual says to follow these instructions to initiate Launch Control.
Automatic Transmissions
* Set mode to Competitive Driving Mode (Track)
* The brake pedal must be firmly pressed to the floor, equivalent to a panic brake event.
* The accelerator pedal is rapidly applied to wide open throttle. (If the vehicle rolls due to wide open throttle, release the throttle, press the brake pedal more firmly, and re-apply the accelerator to wide open throttle.)
* The Launch Control feature will initially limit engine speed as the driver rapidly applies the accelerator pedal to wide open throttle. Allow the engine rpm to stabilize.
* A smooth, quick release of the brake pedal, while maintaining the fully pressed accelerator pedal, will manage wheel slip.
I assume prior to fully depressing the accelerator the transmission (shifter) must be in Automatic "D" and cannot be in "M" (manual/paddle shift) mode?
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 103
Likes: 8
From: Cataumet MA
Thanks for any input.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 558
Likes: 245
From: SW Kansas
Not trying to hijack this thread, but, I, and I suspect quite a few others, am having the same exact outcome as the original poster. I have the 2016 Z51 auto also. Following the procedures as outlined above, mine goes to 2000rpm, then stabilizes at 1500 rpm. Brakes released, get the slight bog, sometimes a little wheelspin. The times haven't been better than about 5 seconds. The car has only 700 miles on it and has been put away until I get back in May. What are we doing wrong, so that it can be corrected when I get back to it in a few weeks? Sure would like to match those You Tube times! Good work!
Thanks for any input.
Thanks for any input.
I just took a little ride and tried a few 0-60 runs and found out where part of my time goes. The 0-60 timer, at least on mine, starts running when I floor the gas pedal-not when I release the brake. I can't hold down the brake any harder than I am. Maybe it slips just enough to start the timer-I don't know. I can't feel it move. What are other folks experiences?
Last edited by Highplains; Mar 6, 2016 at 03:56 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 1,121
From: Pasadena Texas
You did a good job of hijacking the thread and asked just the right question. I just took a little ride and tried a few 0-60 runs and found out where part of my time goes. The 0-60 timer, at least on mine, starts running when I floor the gas pedal-not when I release the brake. I can't hold down the brake any harder than I am. Maybe it slips just enough to start the timer-I don't know. I can't feel it move. What are other folks experiences?
I just took a little ride and tried a few 0-60 runs and found out where part of my time goes. The 0-60 timer, at least on mine, starts running when I floor the gas pedal-not when I release the brake. I can't hold down the brake any harder than I am. Maybe it slips just enough to start the timer-I don't know. I can't feel it move. What are other folks experiences?Last edited by OLD_GOAT; Mar 6, 2016 at 06:25 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,891
Likes: 1,198
From: Ft. Myers FL
Highplains: What mode are you in when you take off? I was tempted to just leave it in tour, mash the brake, floor the pedal and release after the RPMs come up.
My C6 was totally different as is every car. So good luck.PS:make sure your AC is off. It's a power robber. Also stay in D. I do a 3-4 second tire heat up but that's all folks.
Last edited by Mike Campbell; Mar 6, 2016 at 06:46 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
This is what I do. And I get 3.7 give or take a tenth every time. Tires warm and good pavement.
Drive Mode Selector To Track mode
Press Drive Mode Button Twice with 2 seconds between presses.
Steering Wheel Straight
Car in Drive
Floor Brake
Floor Gas - It will rev high and then settle in.
Release brake quickly.
Drive Mode Selector To Track mode
Press Drive Mode Button Twice with 2 seconds between presses.
Steering Wheel Straight
Car in Drive
Floor Brake
Floor Gas - It will rev high and then settle in.
Release brake quickly.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 558
Likes: 245
From: SW Kansas
This is what I do. And I get 3.7 give or take a tenth every time. Tires warm and good pavement.
Drive Mode Selector To Track mode
Press Drive Mode Button Twice with 2 seconds between presses.
Steering Wheel Straight
Car in Drive
Floor Brake
Floor Gas - It will rev high and then settle in.
Release brake quickly.
Drive Mode Selector To Track mode
Press Drive Mode Button Twice with 2 seconds between presses.
Steering Wheel Straight
Car in Drive
Floor Brake
Floor Gas - It will rev high and then settle in.
Release brake quickly.
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 332
Likes: 63
From: Omaha Ne
Here are a couple of youtube vids of me practicing my launch. Car is bone stock 2015 Z51 with the stock tires at 35 pounds. I was practicing my launch on a spring day on the side of the road. No track prep or anything, just a deserted road.
I did exactly like the book stated....panic brake, let the revs build up, then release the brake. Track mode, hit the traction control button twice to the the car in competitive mode. In the first video, you can hear me something like I can't brake enough or something like that. You can also see the car ease up and groan. I finally got a good launch for a 3.8 zero to 60 mph.
Easing up isn't good cause at the strip when you ease up and set off the timer, you've blown the run. So you have to really brake hard and ease on the throttle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKp1lCwsRBs
The second video was taken around 15 minutes later as I tried it all over again. This time the car reacted better to my panic braking and I got off a really great 3.6 zero to 60, which I'll take any day. I was still easing up, but not as bad as in the first video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGMoFuWd0yo
I did exactly like the book stated....panic brake, let the revs build up, then release the brake. Track mode, hit the traction control button twice to the the car in competitive mode. In the first video, you can hear me something like I can't brake enough or something like that. You can also see the car ease up and groan. I finally got a good launch for a 3.8 zero to 60 mph.
Easing up isn't good cause at the strip when you ease up and set off the timer, you've blown the run. So you have to really brake hard and ease on the throttle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKp1lCwsRBs
The second video was taken around 15 minutes later as I tried it all over again. This time the car reacted better to my panic braking and I got off a really great 3.6 zero to 60, which I'll take any day. I was still easing up, but not as bad as in the first video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGMoFuWd0yo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
Stick or auto? I do all the same with my A8 and the revs go to 2000 and then drop to 1500. As mentioned previously, my 0-60 MPH timer starts when I hit the gas pedal which is giving me bad readings. I did, however, find reports from others about that. When this has occurred to them, they keep the brake on, foot on the gas, reset the timer which then starts at brake release.
and I don't do the reset.