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Probably a really dumb launch control question

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Old Dec 16, 2021 | 01:12 PM
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Default Probably a really dumb launch control question

I go into Z mode (which is set to have "dry" as the PTM setting), and it says something like "In Z mode, click button again to use ESC" or something to that effect. When I hit it again, I see the two traction control lights illuminate (the one with the tire and the one with the skid marks).

If I want to do launch control form there (and in general) brake goes all the way to the floor first, then do you have to like slam the gas all the way to the floor? I have never done launch control before so I think I was too hesitant and only pushed it like 80% of the way, and the RPMs didn't level out. Did I almost blow my car up? Do you have to do all or nothing (gas all the way to the floor, or you're not actually doing launch control), and do you have to do it fast, or can you gradually put the pedal to the floor?

I read a bunch of threads and watched videos, but I don't feel 100% confident in trying it for the first time, so I want a little extra hand holding to get me started.
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Old Dec 16, 2021 | 02:04 PM
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Here's the simple way that I do it. Put it in sport mode. Press the traction control button on the center console twice. You should get the two yellow lights. The front wheels must be pointed straight. Press and hold the brake really hard. Press the accelerator to the floor and the rpms will come up to approx. 3500 and stabilize there. Put your head against the headrest. With the accelerator still on the floor, let off the brake and enjoy the ride.
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Old Dec 16, 2021 | 02:17 PM
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Do you know if accelerator has to go to the floor, and does it have to go to the floor quickly? That's essentially my question. If I was a wimp about it and slowly pushed it to the floor, does that not get to launch control, and merely spins the engine at a high rate of speed?

Originally Posted by Indawin
Here's the simple way that I do it. Put it in sport mode. Press the traction control button on the center console twice. You should get the two yellow lights. The front wheels must be pointed straight. Press and hold the brake really hard. Press the accelerator to the floor and the rpms will come up to approx. 3500 and stabilize there. Put your head against the headrest. With the accelerator still on the floor, let off the brake and enjoy the ride.
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Old Dec 16, 2021 | 02:30 PM
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Just floor it man. All at once ideally but I guess you can roll into it if you have to. The car is smart enough it won't let you blow it up.
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Old Dec 16, 2021 | 02:46 PM
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If you don't have it configured properly for launch control, pushing the accelerator to the floor will likely take the RPMs to the redline. Try the way I suggested.
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Old Dec 16, 2021 | 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by PColasanto
Do you know if accelerator has to go to the floor, and does it have to go to the floor quickly? That's essentially my question. If I was a wimp about it and slowly pushed it to the floor, does that not get to launch control, and merely spins the engine at a high rate of speed?
Yes, JAM IT to the floor board. Hard and fast all the way to the floor. Won't work otherwise. RPM's will shoot up and then moderate while waiting for you to dump the brake (don't sit there too long).
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Old Dec 16, 2021 | 06:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Indawin
Here's the simple way that I do it. Put it in sport mode. Press the traction control button on the center console twice. You should get the two yellow lights. The front wheels must be pointed straight. Press and hold the brake really hard. Press the accelerator to the floor and the rpms will come up to approx. 3500 and stabilize there. Put your head against the headrest. With the accelerator still on the floor, let off the brake and enjoy the ride.
Great, I have been looking for this simple explanation myself. Thank you Indawin
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Old Dec 16, 2021 | 07:55 PM
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My base (non z51) will only go into competition each in track or sport.
It will NOT enable competition traction control in Z or MYmode, and no matter how hard I hold the brake, it will not engage launch control in those modes.
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Old Dec 16, 2021 | 11:01 PM
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You are correct OP. If you have changed PTM in Z mode, it will ask you to hit the Z Mode button again to change the PTM setting to dry in your example. That is the easiest way to get into launch control. I use it every day. Hit the Z Mode button once and I am in my modified sport/track mode. If I want to get into launch control, I hit the Z mode button once to get out of Z mode then twice to get into Z mode with PTM. Mine is set to Dry like yours. At this point, plant the brake, then at your leisure push the gas pedal to the floor. You will know you have it correct when the rpms bounce at 3500. Release the brake and hold on. At first I thought you had to do everything just before launching which is false. If you are in Z mode with PTM set to anything the two traction control lights will be lit and you are ready to launch. I am in Z mode all day and love that I can get into PTM by simply hitting the Z button twice which then makes the mode selector adjust the PTM. No looking no traction control button, just Z mode button pushes.

FYI I have Z51 with mag ride and front lift. You need Mag Ride to have PTM.
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Old Dec 16, 2021 | 11:56 PM
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Thanks, I do have z51 and mag ride, and I thought I had the setup right, but wrong execution (too gradual with the gas pedal). One other issue I have is the way I set my seat, I can’t see the top half of the DIC, so I rely on the HUD for speed. Typically I keep the HUD to the setting that just has speed and speed limit, so in that setup I actually can’t see tach at all. So I couldn’t see if the RPM pinned anywhere, and had music playing so I couldn’t tell by ear.

So basically next time I try I’ll be a little more prepared. I’ll set the HUD to show tach, so I can see the RPM level off and I’m sure I’m not gonna blow up the engine when I mash the gas. 😂

Originally Posted by MarZZ
You are correct OP. If you have changed PTM in Z mode, it will ask you to hit the Z Mode button again to change the PTM setting to dry in your example. That is the easiest way to get into launch control. I use it every day. Hit the Z Mode button once and I am in my modified sport/track mode. If I want to get into launch control, I hit the Z mode button once to get out of Z mode then twice to get into Z mode with PTM. Mine is set to Dry like yours. At this point, plant the brake, then at your leisure push the gas pedal to the floor. You will know you have it correct when the rpms bounce at 3500. Release the brake and hold on. At first I thought you had to do everything just before launching which is false. If you are in Z mode with PTM set to anything the two traction control lights will be lit and you are ready to launch. I am in Z mode all day and love that I can get into PTM by simply hitting the Z button twice which then makes the mode selector adjust the PTM. No looking no traction control button, just Z mode button pushes.

FYI I have Z51 with mag ride and front lift. You need Mag Ride to have PTM.
Reply

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