Performance Traction Management Not Working
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 559
Likes: 43
From: Bonita Springs FL
Performance Traction Management Not Working
Hi Ladies and Gents,
2017 Z06 A8
I've used launch control and performance traction management many times before and was able to get it to work.
It's been about a year since I tried but went out for a bit of spirited driving this evening and could not get the PTM to work as it blew the rear tires off in about every setting (I didn't try wet).
I've done the drill many times before, car stopped, steering wheel straight, rotate mode button to TR, press twice, select PTM mode in DIC (usually sport 1), press mode button to confirm and it was all set.
Then, stepped hard on brake, floored gas and when the rpm settled, let off the brake and away we would go only this time it spun the tires no matter what mode it was in when I let off the brake.
Thoughts?
2017 Z06 A8
I've used launch control and performance traction management many times before and was able to get it to work.
It's been about a year since I tried but went out for a bit of spirited driving this evening and could not get the PTM to work as it blew the rear tires off in about every setting (I didn't try wet).
I've done the drill many times before, car stopped, steering wheel straight, rotate mode button to TR, press twice, select PTM mode in DIC (usually sport 1), press mode button to confirm and it was all set.
Then, stepped hard on brake, floored gas and when the rpm settled, let off the brake and away we would go only this time it spun the tires no matter what mode it was in when I let off the brake.
Thoughts?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,062
Likes: 9,824
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Bill
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 559
Likes: 43
From: Bonita Springs FL
Well, I went out again today and no dice. Once I had the mode I wanted, I just left it there, didn't push any buttons and even in "Wet" mode it still l blew the tires off.
I even got a new battery as this one was doing some funny things like draining itself when I disconnected it to work on the car a few times.
I even got a new battery as this one was doing some funny things like draining itself when I disconnected it to work on the car a few times.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 1,341
From: Kingston, Ontario
Its pretty normal to blow the tires off?
Are you trying to do launch control?
You don't need to select with the mode selector. Once the PTM modes come up in the DIC, simply turn the dial to the one you want and your good, no need to press on the mode selector.
If the tires still spin that doesn't mean its not working, its still a front engine RWD car, PTM doesn't make it impossible to "blow the tires off". Lots of factors go into a launch, tire age and tread depth, temps etc. Its not a drama free ride.
What exactly are you trying to do in PTM mode?
Are you trying to do launch control?
You don't need to select with the mode selector. Once the PTM modes come up in the DIC, simply turn the dial to the one you want and your good, no need to press on the mode selector.
If the tires still spin that doesn't mean its not working, its still a front engine RWD car, PTM doesn't make it impossible to "blow the tires off". Lots of factors go into a launch, tire age and tread depth, temps etc. Its not a drama free ride.
What exactly are you trying to do in PTM mode?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 559
Likes: 43
From: Bonita Springs FL
Its pretty normal to blow the tires off?
Are you trying to do launch control?
You don't need to select with the mode selector. Once the PTM modes come up in the DIC, simply turn the dial to the one you want and your good, no need to press on the mode selector.
If the tires still spin that doesn't mean its not working, its still a front engine RWD car, PTM doesn't make it impossible to "blow the tires off". Lots of factors go into a launch, tire age and tread depth, temps etc. Its not a drama free ride.
What exactly are you trying to do in PTM mode?
Are you trying to do launch control?
You don't need to select with the mode selector. Once the PTM modes come up in the DIC, simply turn the dial to the one you want and your good, no need to press on the mode selector.
If the tires still spin that doesn't mean its not working, its still a front engine RWD car, PTM doesn't make it impossible to "blow the tires off". Lots of factors go into a launch, tire age and tread depth, temps etc. Its not a drama free ride.
What exactly are you trying to do in PTM mode?
Yes, I'm using launch control, that part works. When using launch control and PTM in conjunction with each other the tires should have minimal slip. I've done this many times before including drag strip passes. It's how I got a 1.72 60' time on stock run flats and yes, it was drama free, just keep your foot to the floor and steer.
EDIT: I went out tonight and found out traction control is not working in any mode. I can light the tires without any nannies kicking on which I could never do before.
Last edited by Whisky; Jan 13, 2026 at 04:44 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,062
Likes: 9,824
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Traction Control and the more sophisticated PTM feature are both controlled by the EBCM. Do you have any lights like the traction/stability control indicators that have turned on?.
Bill
Bill
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 559
Likes: 43
From: Bonita Springs FL
I've had it diagnosed at the local chevy dealer, and they say nothing is wrong with it. General consensus is that the tires (5 yrs old, 15K miles) have head cycled and gotten hard/lost grip.
The traction control does intervene but not before I blow the tires off. It never used to do this. I have new tires coming (Continental Extreme 02s) so we will see what happens.
Thanks.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 800
Likes: 326
Now I'm confused. TC is always on, so having the light on before punching it would mean it is off. With mine the flashing shows it is engaging.
One thing I screwed up when the car was new is that I would feel the wheel spin and get off the gas...which then confuses the TC and the wheels would spin continuously. To work you have to keep the throttle down, so it can do the managing.
I suppose low tire traction could reduce the TC below its working limit, so it cannot reduce the power enough to prevent the spin?! I would suggest checking for unanunciated codes...but I would assume the dealer did that.
One thing I screwed up when the car was new is that I would feel the wheel spin and get off the gas...which then confuses the TC and the wheels would spin continuously. To work you have to keep the throttle down, so it can do the managing.
I suppose low tire traction could reduce the TC below its working limit, so it cannot reduce the power enough to prevent the spin?! I would suggest checking for unanunciated codes...but I would assume the dealer did that.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 559
Likes: 43
From: Bonita Springs FL
Now I'm confused. TC is always on, so having the light on before punching it would mean it is off. With mine the flashing shows it is engaging.
One thing I screwed up when the car was new is that I would feel the wheel spin and get off the gas...which then confuses the TC and the wheels would spin continuously. To work you have to keep the throttle down, so it can do the managing.
I suppose low tire traction could reduce the TC below its working limit, so it cannot reduce the power enough to prevent the spin?! I would suggest checking for unanunciated codes...but I would assume the dealer did that.
One thing I screwed up when the car was new is that I would feel the wheel spin and get off the gas...which then confuses the TC and the wheels would spin continuously. To work you have to keep the throttle down, so it can do the managing.
I suppose low tire traction could reduce the TC below its working limit, so it cannot reduce the power enough to prevent the spin?! I would suggest checking for unanunciated codes...but I would assume the dealer did that.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 559
Likes: 43
From: Bonita Springs FL
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,062
Likes: 9,824
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The Traction Control Light should be on when the Drive Mode is set to Track/Sport1, Track Sport 2 or Track/Race. TC is turned off in those modes, so you only have Performance Traction Management, which is a much more sophisticated form of Traction Control that uses the eDiff to ensure torque is delivered to the non-slipping wheel.
Active Handling is off in Track/Sport 2 and Track/Race Modes, while throttle dampening is turned off in Track/Race modes.
Throttle dampening doesn't limit full power; it only limits how fast it can be applied and removed, discouraging the tendency to use the throttle pedal as an on/off switch.
Bill
Active Handling is off in Track/Sport 2 and Track/Race Modes, while throttle dampening is turned off in Track/Race modes.
Throttle dampening doesn't limit full power; it only limits how fast it can be applied and removed, discouraging the tendency to use the throttle pedal as an on/off switch.
Bill
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 559
Likes: 43
From: Bonita Springs FL
The Traction Control Light should be on when the Drive Mode is set to Track/Sport1, Track Sport 2 or Track/Race. TC is turned off in those modes, so you only have Performance Traction Management, which is a much more sophisticated form of Traction Control that uses the eDiff to ensure torque is delivered to the non-slipping wheel.
Active Handling is off in Track/Sport 2 and Track/Race Modes, while throttle dampening is turned off in Track/Race modes.
Throttle dampening doesn't limit full power; it only limits how fast it can be applied and removed, discouraging the tendency to use the throttle pedal as an on/off switch.
Bill
Active Handling is off in Track/Sport 2 and Track/Race Modes, while throttle dampening is turned off in Track/Race modes.
Throttle dampening doesn't limit full power; it only limits how fast it can be applied and removed, discouraging the tendency to use the throttle pedal as an on/off switch.
Bill
I took it to the local chevy dealer, and they said PTM was operating.
The consensus was that I needed new ties as the stock Continental run flats had probably been heat cycled. I always thought that the PTM/Traction control should work no matter what the condition of the tires?
I have since gotten new tires and have yet had a chance to test them out.
Thanks for replying. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 559
Likes: 43
From: Bonita Springs FL
I put a new set of Continental Extreme Sport 02s on it and it seemed to cure the issue so it was the tires all along.
I don't know if these are quite as sticky as the Michelin Pilot Sport ZPs as I'm getting a little slip and I can hear the throttle dampening which I didn't used to hear.
I haven't done any 0-60 tests yet but when I do I'll check back in and let you know the results vs the Michelins.
Thanks for all your input!
Marc
I don't know if these are quite as sticky as the Michelin Pilot Sport ZPs as I'm getting a little slip and I can hear the throttle dampening which I didn't used to hear.
I haven't done any 0-60 tests yet but when I do I'll check back in and let you know the results vs the Michelins.
Thanks for all your input!
Marc