Launch Control - first time used
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 96
Likes: 54
From: Fishkill NY
Launch Control - first time used
All -
I bought my 2019 A8 March last year, and drove all summer - but never tried out the launch control... because I didn't know about it!
My first looong, cold winter with a Z06 gave me lots of time to watch videos and learn more about the car, and today in the nice sunny 65F weather, I had a chance to try it out. Some observations for a launch-control first timer:
So, a nice spirited drive. This car remains far too fast for the road - my only complaint is that it's short bursts of 4-5 seconds of fun, then brakes on. Too many other people around, cops everywhere, and too easy to be easily doing triple-digit speeds. I
Not a bad problem to have!
I bought my 2019 A8 March last year, and drove all summer - but never tried out the launch control... because I didn't know about it!
My first looong, cold winter with a Z06 gave me lots of time to watch videos and learn more about the car, and today in the nice sunny 65F weather, I had a chance to try it out. Some observations for a launch-control first timer:
- the various YouTube videos and Ron Fellows videos are all very useful.
Hard down on the brake, foot to the floor on the gas, release and go - worked like a charm. - What the videos did not show is after Track-->push TC twice-->choose wet/dry/sport1 etc., you have to use "select [sel]" on the steering wheel. I kept pressing the TC button in the center of the TC wheel, and this cancels it.
I would have preferred it all done in the same TC wheel, but never mind. - The sound!!
I pulled my NPP fuse a few weeks into my Z ownership, and enjoy the noise at full chatter anyway...
But on a launch, there is an extra growl and screaming going on. I can't quite figure if it's some sort of computer algorithm or TC cutting some engine or what, but it makes the noise of the car much deeper, much more growly up to 40mph... then normal loud noise. - M mode.
I always drive in M mode, but for my first few launch control tries, I used D.
I then did a final launch control mode about 1/2 later, after some driving (oh - and I sat behind a nice NYS yellow Z06 "sixfiddy" in front of me - HI!!)... and this time, I *forgot* to put myself in D.
So I did the two-clicks, set Sport 1, and launch - and it shifts automatically! Even if in M.
Up until I lifted my foot then it reverts to manual.
I suppose that's a good thing - but I think an interesting observation.
So, a nice spirited drive. This car remains far too fast for the road - my only complaint is that it's short bursts of 4-5 seconds of fun, then brakes on. Too many other people around, cops everywhere, and too easy to be easily doing triple-digit speeds. I
Not a bad problem to have!
Popular Reply
Mar 30, 2021, 07:26 PM
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,817
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
You turn the console dial while watching the DIC until Tr symbol for Track Drive Mode is Displayed on the DIC. When you have this selection you are in the Undefined Track Mode. There is nothing in any of the manuals that define what happens. To get the defined Track Modes you push the center button in the console dial twice while watching the DIC. When you do this the display will change from Tr to Wet. Use the dial to turn the dial until you see Sport 1 displayed on the DIC. If you want to use Sport 2 or Race you can do that as well. Launch Control works in any of the sub-modes but the sub-modes have different programming for PTM and Stability Control. Once you make your selection DO NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE with the center button. If you push the center button after making your selection you fall back into Undefined Track Mode. You can use the dial to choose the different Track Sub Modes. For example, if you are on track with Sport 1 selected, and it starts raining you can turn the dial to Wet Mode to get the very aggressive stability control and PTM.
All very simple, just not explained well in the OM. Attending Spring Mountain helped me a lot in learning how to program and use the car.
Bill
All very simple, just not explained well in the OM. Attending Spring Mountain helped me a lot in learning how to program and use the car.
Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,388
Likes: 892
From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
Good post! Thanks for the mention of the “sel” step. I know others have posted that they followed the instructions and it still didn’t work. Maybe that was it.
sooooooo true on this cars power. It goes from zero to jail in 10 seconds!
sooooooo true on this cars power. It goes from zero to jail in 10 seconds!
Racer
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 279
Likes: 76
From: Reality
What the videos did not show is after Track-->push TC twice-->choose wet/dry/sport1 etc., you have to use "select [sel]" on the steering wheel. I kept pressing the TC button in the center of the TC wheel, and this cancels it.
I would have preferred it all done in the same TC wheel, but never mind.
I would have preferred it all done in the same TC wheel, but never mind.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 111
Likes: 21
From: Weeki Wachee, FL
I always wonders this as well and is the main reason I’ve never tried it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,817
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
You turn the console dial while watching the DIC until Tr symbol for Track Drive Mode is Displayed on the DIC. When you have this selection you are in the Undefined Track Mode. There is nothing in any of the manuals that define what happens. To get the defined Track Modes you push the center button in the console dial twice while watching the DIC. When you do this the display will change from Tr to Wet. Use the dial to turn the dial until you see Sport 1 displayed on the DIC. If you want to use Sport 2 or Race you can do that as well. Launch Control works in any of the sub-modes but the sub-modes have different programming for PTM and Stability Control. Once you make your selection DO NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE with the center button. If you push the center button after making your selection you fall back into Undefined Track Mode. You can use the dial to choose the different Track Sub Modes. For example, if you are on track with Sport 1 selected, and it starts raining you can turn the dial to Wet Mode to get the very aggressive stability control and PTM.
All very simple, just not explained well in the OM. Attending Spring Mountain helped me a lot in learning how to program and use the car.
Bill
All very simple, just not explained well in the OM. Attending Spring Mountain helped me a lot in learning how to program and use the car.
Bill
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 96
Likes: 54
From: Fishkill NY
Thanks Bill and others for the notes.
I may have some more practice with the launch control when the weather is better: tires were still a bit cool and there was a bit of slip, but it worked well and while it's a bit of a pain to get into, it's really not that hard - as said, I set it at a red light and took off with it all good.
More practice needed!
I may have some more practice with the launch control when the weather is better: tires were still a bit cool and there was a bit of slip, but it worked well and while it's a bit of a pain to get into, it's really not that hard - as said, I set it at a red light and took off with it all good.
More practice needed!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 928
From: near philly
I may actually switch back this weekend depending how the extended forcasts are looking
Moderator
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 15,264
Likes: 4,207
From: Northern Illinois
2023 Corvette of the Year Winner - Modified
2022 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
St. Jude Donor '18 thru '25
I can say my Z is a summer toy.. I have an SUV for cold/winter.. not a car for the winter in my book.. just not appealing to drive in intense cold lol
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