Performance differences vs. driving modes
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,729
Likes: 1,508
From: Redmond WA
Nope....
1) Engine performance does not change by driving mode.
2) Engine performance does not change during the first 500 miles.
3) Engine performance does not change when placed in Valet mode.
Even though it'd be pretty trivial from a software viewpoint to do these things, GM would have to emissions-certify each of the various "tunes". And it would complicate CAFE calculations too (unless you just assumed worst case I guess).
1) Engine performance does not change by driving mode.
2) Engine performance does not change during the first 500 miles.
3) Engine performance does not change when placed in Valet mode.
Even though it'd be pretty trivial from a software viewpoint to do these things, GM would have to emissions-certify each of the various "tunes". And it would complicate CAFE calculations too (unless you just assumed worst case I guess).
Last edited by davepl; May 15, 2017 at 05:38 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 7,695
Likes: 51
From: Imperial Beach CA
Nope....
1) Engine performance does not change by driving mode.
2) Engine performance does not change during the first 500 miles.
3) Engine performance does not change when placed in Valet mode.
Even though it'd be pretty trivial from a software viewpoint to do these things, GM would have to emissions-certify each of the various "tunes". And it would complicate CAFE calculations too (unless you just assumed worst case I guess).
1) Engine performance does not change by driving mode.
2) Engine performance does not change during the first 500 miles.
3) Engine performance does not change when placed in Valet mode.
Even though it'd be pretty trivial from a software viewpoint to do these things, GM would have to emissions-certify each of the various "tunes". And it would complicate CAFE calculations too (unless you just assumed worst case I guess).
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 1,106
The performance may "feel" different because throttle progression does vary by mode as will shift characteristics if you have an automatic transmission. Econ mode will force V4 operation as much as possible so the engine will feel more sluggish until you use sufficient throttle to go back into V8 mode.
Most of the time I stay in touring mode for the softer shock setting, steering set to sport (touring mode steering is far too light for my taste), engine sound management set to track or sport, and gauges set to sport with engine temperature displayed in the DIC area and oil pressure and temperature as the pocket gauges.
But everyone has to develop their own taste for what set of parameters feels best to them so I encourage you to spend some time playing with the different modes and also unlinking steering, exhaust (engine sound management), and display from driver mode to experience the different combinations. I drove for the first month with steering linked to driver mode and didn't realize how much better steering feel is in sport mode.
Most of the time I stay in touring mode for the softer shock setting, steering set to sport (touring mode steering is far too light for my taste), engine sound management set to track or sport, and gauges set to sport with engine temperature displayed in the DIC area and oil pressure and temperature as the pocket gauges.
But everyone has to develop their own taste for what set of parameters feels best to them so I encourage you to spend some time playing with the different modes and also unlinking steering, exhaust (engine sound management), and display from driver mode to experience the different combinations. I drove for the first month with steering linked to driver mode and didn't realize how much better steering feel is in sport mode.
Last edited by NSC5; May 15, 2017 at 05:51 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I don't notice any sluggishness when running in V4 mode. As soon as I touch the gas the system switches to V8. On the street you rarely get close to going WOT and any sluggishness wouldn't be noticed unless you went wide open in some gear like 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th. I usually drive around town in 5th or 6th gear and just a nudge of the throttle brings the engine into V8 mode and I have to be careful not to run into people.
Bill
Bill
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 7,695
Likes: 51
From: Imperial Beach CA
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,729
Likes: 1,508
From: Redmond WA
Good point. That'd affect things like how aggressively the engine goes into V4 mode, but not the engine calibration. But the car gets mileage tested in the default (Tour) mode, so far as I know.
Changing the calibration (spark, fuel, whatever) would change emissions but throttle response rate, gear selection, shouldn't affect the engine calibration at all.
To be clear, I'm just deducing this from the practicalities of certifying an engine and assuming that they don't do this. There's nothing I know of to prevent them if they wanted to go to the extra work.
Changing the calibration (spark, fuel, whatever) would change emissions but throttle response rate, gear selection, shouldn't affect the engine calibration at all.
To be clear, I'm just deducing this from the practicalities of certifying an engine and assuming that they don't do this. There's nothing I know of to prevent them if they wanted to go to the extra work.
Last edited by davepl; May 15, 2017 at 07:56 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,744
Likes: 234
Speaking of performance, why does the car feel like a beast whenever I get a full tank of gas? It feels like something activates, in any mode...Tour, Sport, which makes it appear to have more power. Is it just me or others have experienced this??!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 449
I don't notice any sluggishness when running in V4 mode. As soon as I touch the gas the system switches to V8. On the street you rarely get close to going WOT and any sluggishness wouldn't be noticed unless you went wide open in some gear like 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th. I usually drive around town in 5th or 6th gear and just a nudge of the throttle brings the engine into V8 mode and I have to be careful not to run into people.
Bill
Bill
Amat Victoria Curam
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 591
Likes: 141
From: NH, FL
Hmmm. Can't say that I've noticed that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,729
Likes: 1,508
From: Redmond WA
One could imagine that when the car sees a large amount of fuel added, they could wipe the knock counts and start from the "high octane" starting point again, but I have not seen anything to indicate that's the case.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 745
Likes: 106
OK, don't have the facts in front of me, but I remember reading and seeing a chart that explained that if your tires were cold there was not full power available, and that differing modes did not allow full power?? I once mistakenly got into sport mode on the track and I did not have full power down the straight, but only a few MPH off.
here we go:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rack-mode.html
here we go:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rack-mode.html
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,445
Likes: 4,403
From: Northern VA
"Ask Tadge" Producer
Basically, if you don't hear the BRRRRRRRRT of the PTM, it's not doing anything. Nothing else will limit the car's torque delivery based on tire temps.
