C7 General Discussion General C7 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Driver Mode switch

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 11, 2017 | 11:59 PM
  #1  
why1504's Avatar
why1504
Thread Starter
Racer
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 353
Likes: 22
St. Jude Donor '17
Default Driver Mode switch

Could someone point me to a resource that will explain all of the options using the Driver Mode switch on the center console. I get the Wet/Tour/Sport/Track changes. But I think there are sub menus below this. Is this true?

Also what about turning the nanny's off? Can I do this?

Thanks!!
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2017 | 12:08 AM
  #2  
vbdenny's Avatar
vbdenny
Drifting
 
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,481
Likes: 393
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Default

Rotate that **** to TRack and click your heels twice (or push the button twice) and you may not be in Kansas but you'll be in the hidden sub-menu. Two nannies on car. Traction control and stability control. Don't shut them all off unless you have a lot of insurance, or are a professional race car driver, or filthy rich. Corvettes are light and that is a lot of power to just turn loose as that is how we get to see pictures of wrecked Corvettes which breaks our hearts.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2017 | 12:09 AM
  #3  
Foosh's Avatar
Foosh
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,940
Default

If you have a Z51 or above w/ MSRC, pressing the center console button quickly twice puts you into the Track PTM (performance traction management) menu, which gives you this. Once you're in this menu, rotating the dial left or right moves you between PTM Wet and PTM Race. Pressing the button once again, puts you back into the standard menu, Weather to Track


Last edited by Foosh; Aug 12, 2017 at 12:16 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2017 | 12:14 AM
  #4  
why1504's Avatar
why1504
Thread Starter
Racer
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 353
Likes: 22
St. Jude Donor '17
Default

Originally Posted by Foosh
If you have a Z51 or above w/ MSRC, pressing the center console button quickly twice puts you into the Track PTM (performance traction management) menu, which gives you this.

Can you tell me what PTM mode means. Also, once in this sub menu, what can I change and how will it effect the car?

These comments are very helpful. Thank you.

Last edited by why1504; Aug 12, 2017 at 12:17 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2017 | 12:16 AM
  #5  
why1504's Avatar
why1504
Thread Starter
Racer
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 353
Likes: 22
St. Jude Donor '17
Default

FWIW, I drive in Track mode 90% of the time.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2017 | 12:19 AM
  #6  
Foosh's Avatar
Foosh
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,940
Default

PTM is GM's acronym for performance traction management. It was really designed for various conditions and skill levels on a race track, but PTM/Wet and PTM/Dry are very good street settings. PTM Race is essentially all "nannies" off, and is not recommended unless you are on a race track, and have a lot of experience.

Even world class race cars these days use traction and stability control. The C7R in the GTLM class has it.

Last edited by Foosh; Aug 12, 2017 at 12:23 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2017 | 12:24 AM
  #7  
why1504's Avatar
why1504
Thread Starter
Racer
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 353
Likes: 22
St. Jude Donor '17
Default

Originally Posted by Foosh
PTM is GM's acronym for performance traction management. It was really designed for various conditions and skill levels on a race track, but PTM/Wet and PTM/Dry are very good street settings. PTM Race is essentially all "nannies" off, and is not recommended unless you are on a race track, and have a lot of experience.

Even world class race cars these days use traction and stability control. The C7R in the GTLM class has it.
Thanks again. I will play with this tomorrow.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2017 | 12:30 AM
  #8  
Foosh's Avatar
Foosh
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,940
Default

The chart tells you what systems changes occur when selecting PTM Wet, Dry, Sport1, Sport2, or Race. As I said, once in the PTM menu, the same console dial rotates between the PTM modes, just as it does the standard modes.

Last edited by Foosh; Aug 12, 2017 at 12:32 AM.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-9

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Aug 12, 2017 | 12:30 AM
  #9  
TNSQUIRE's Avatar
TNSQUIRE
Drifting
Veteran: Navy
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,767
Likes: 338
From: San Diego CA
Default

Originally Posted by why1504
FWIW, I drive in Track mode 90% of the time.
If you have msrc be careful using Track mode on the streets. It is not recommended and may cause damage to your car.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2017 | 12:35 AM
  #10  
Foosh's Avatar
Foosh
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,940
Default

Again, you're talking about standard Track mode. Track PTM is different. Look at the Track PTM mode chart above and pay particular attention to the MSRC settings.

Last edited by Foosh; Aug 12, 2017 at 12:38 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2017 | 12:49 AM
  #11  
themonk's Avatar
themonk
Team Owner
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 97,155
Likes: 1,471
From: Calgary, AB. There's a reason why white was the only color offered on every year Corvette. Proud Canadian German Jamaican!
St. Jude Donor '09, '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Default

MRC + Z51 = One Hell of a Combination.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2017 | 12:56 AM
  #12  
why1504's Avatar
why1504
Thread Starter
Racer
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 353
Likes: 22
St. Jude Donor '17
Default

After many manual transmission cars I have been shocked at how much I enjoy shifting with the paddles in standard Track mode.

I can well see the differences as one moves into these lower menus.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2017 | 09:27 AM
  #13  
why1504's Avatar
why1504
Thread Starter
Racer
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 353
Likes: 22
St. Jude Donor '17
Default

Originally Posted by TNSQUIRE
If you have msrc be careful using Track mode on the streets. It is not recommended and may cause damage to your car.
What kind of damage???
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2017 | 10:01 AM
  #14  
Foosh's Avatar
Foosh
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,940
Default

In standard Track mode, MSRC is in the stiffest setting, which is indeed very stiff. Like all cars running very low profile tires, wheel damage is real possibility on road surfaces in poor condition, and a pothole can be a death sentence for low profile tire/wheel combos. That's even more likely w/ MSRC in full firm mode (Track), but it can also happen any any mode.

In Track PTM, the MSRC setting varies per the chart published above. Thus, in Track PTM/Wet, you're no more likely to have damage than when you're driving in Tour mode because the MSRC is in Tour mode. In Track PTM/Dry MSRC is in Sport mode.

Last edited by Foosh; Aug 12, 2017 at 12:59 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2017 | 01:05 PM
  #15  
thrilled's Avatar
thrilled
Safety Car
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,481
Likes: 668
From: Kilmarnock Va
Default

I never turned mine off when it was stock.Now with 700 hp I wouldn't turn it off on A bet.
It can get away from you faster than your reflexes have A chance to compensate.

Last edited by thrilled; Aug 12, 2017 at 06:15 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2017 | 01:22 PM
  #16  
SouthOCBoy's Avatar
SouthOCBoy
Racer
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 454
Likes: 181
From: Mission Viejo CA
Default

"pressing the center console button quickly twice puts you into the Track PTM (performance traction management) menu"


Do you have to be in Track mode before you press the button twice to access the PTM sub-menus?
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2017 | 01:30 PM
  #17  
Woodson's Avatar
Woodson
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,887
Likes: 1,555
From: Calgary Alberta
Default

Yes
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Driver Mode switch

Old Aug 12, 2017 | 03:00 PM
  #18  
Bill Dearborn's Avatar
Bill Dearborn
Tech Contributor
25 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 40,999
Likes: 9,764
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Default

Originally Posted by why1504
Thanks again. I will play with this tomorrow.
I tell people to put the car in Track Wet Mode while driving on dry roads. Then go around some corners like you normally would do if you just hopped into the car to run to the store or something. Wet mode will sensitize PTM to the max and reduce the change rate of throttle application. If you have your windows open you can hear it modulating the engine (I describe the exhaust as sounding like a diesel engine being used to slow a truck using a Jake Brake). As you move up toward RACE Mode PTM gets less restrictive but is still active in RACE Mode. The Owner's Manual will tell you as you are coming off a corner to go to wide open throttle sooner than you normally would and PTM will modulate rear wheel power to the available grip. Even with slicks I haven't been able to do that all the way as it is counter intuitive to the way you drive any other car. However, I am being more aggressive with the throttle and I can hear and feel PTM working on quite a few track corners. At VIR Turn 1 it starts working about 1/2 way around the turn as I open up the throttle. The few times I have tried to go all the way to the floor the back end would start to slide left and I would have to breathe off the throttle to keep the car pointed where I wanted it to go. Haven't had the ***** to just go wide open and see if it only stepped out a little and settled down. Not some place where I want to spin off the track at 60 mph. The least of the worries is to have the Black Flag Marshall yelling at you about why you thought that was a good idea when you go see him after a 4 off or spin.

Bill
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2017 | 03:22 PM
  #19  
Foosh's Avatar
Foosh
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,940
Default

Bill's explanation above is a good one.

The whole idea of PTM (using TC, DSC, and the eLSD) is to match the car and conditions to the available grip. A lot of people seem to think that's going to make them go slower, but I'll wager a sizable sum it's the opposite. If you're sliding, you're not going as fast as you could be.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2017 | 05:40 PM
  #20  
why1504's Avatar
why1504
Thread Starter
Racer
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 353
Likes: 22
St. Jude Donor '17
Default

Wow. This has been very informative. I went out earlier today with the wife. I really haven't played with it much but I did switch thru the modes. In the morning I hope to take a ride alone and try the first couple of modes.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:02 PM.

story-0
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE