Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum - Discussion: Active handling/Traction Control

Anil Rao · 05-06-2002, 02:59 PM

Since I am not too familiar with active-handling and traction control on the Z06 (I assume there are a few others like me too, right) and I really don't see much discussion on this subject I thought I'd start a new thread on the same. Some of the topics that would be of interest are:

- The guts of its operation.
- Experience reports with disabling AC/TC.
- Pros and cons of using comp mode.

Let the thought process begin.

-Anil

DJWorm · 05-06-2002, 03:27 PM

Keep the AH & TC ON when driving on the street.
Use Competition Mode on the track or AutoX if wet
Both AH & TC OFF for Competition in DRY only.

Jerry Velders · 05-06-2002, 03:28 PM

There's nothing too complicated about it. Traction control works by sensing wheel slip and reducing power to avoid loss of traction. Active handling attempt to bring the car's performance in line with your intentions by controlling individual wheel brakes. Competition mode turns off traction control (thereby allowing wheel spin) but leaves active handling engaged.

Anil Rao · 05-06-2002, 03:40 PM

Thanks for the information, but I already know all of that.

I was more interested in learning how much of a benefit people actually saw when they used TC on the track as opposed to not using it, what it takes to launch the car with and without these freatures, etc. For example what launch rpms work well with TC on as opposed to off. You know basically experience reports. The same goes for general handling on a road course or auto-x circuit.

-Anil

SCS · 05-06-2002, 03:58 PM

I turn mine off every time I drive. It is much better that the C4 system but still too restrictive. I guess in the rail it would be wise, but I don't drive on wet days. If my wife is driving, it stay on and I won't show her how to turn it off. It does have it's place.

SCS

quikdoc · 05-06-2002, 07:27 PM

Anil
What DJworm said IS the best advice..I experientially agree with him whole heartedly

Doc

proexpert · 05-06-2002, 07:54 PM

For drag racing, turn in OFF. Each shift will bring on the TC and some agressive shifting will engage AH, each of which will slow down the car. For road racing (I don't mean street racing) the TC should be off, the AH on could improve lap times, depending on driver skill. It's not for me, I like it off for all racing.

Lambinator · 05-06-2002, 09:54 PM

I turn it off every time I get behind the wheel.

In the rain on a road course it is very intrusive IMO. In the dry it is only moderately intrusive. It always kicks in about the time you get good rotation in the corners, abruptly snapping the car back in line.

Turning it off however, is not for the inexperienced.

Redshift · 05-06-2002, 10:33 PM

Traction control should be off at ALL TIMES except possibly on the street in the rain. It only hinders you on the track, even in the rain.

I like to leave AHS on at a new track or a track I'm not yet very comfy with. Once I feel a bit better I try going with it off because you can usually be faster with it off if you know how to drive the car properly. I'm not THAT good yet so I have it on a lot more than I have it off, but I'm getting closer

If you are comfortable with the rear end coming out on you and you can correct for this on the track, leave everything off and have fun.

ZeeOhSix · 05-07-2002, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Redshift
Traction control should be off at ALL TIMES except possibly on the street in the rain. It only hinders you on the track, even in the rain.

AH/TC has saved my bacon a few times on the street ... MOSTLY in the rain. Anyone who drives in the rain without them activated is asking for a wrecked car.

Of course it's all due to driver skill, but this car has so much power that it can even be a hand full for the best drivers around. All it takes is one mistake at the wrong time and you could find yourself in the ditch with a bashed up Z ... not my way of having fun.

hcvone · 05-07-2002, 05:51 AM

If I drove my Vette in the rain I would keep on traction control/active handling, I do not, so I keep both OFF at all times.

Redshift · 05-07-2002, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ZeeOhSix

AH/TC has saved my bacon a few times on the street ... MOSTLY in the rain. Anyone who drives in the rain without them activated is asking for a wrecked car.

Of course it's all due to driver skill, but this car has so much power that it can even be a hand full for the best drivers around. All it takes is one mistake at the wrong time and you could find yourself in the ditch with a bashed up Z ... not my way of having fun.

Exactly why I recommended keeping them on in the rain

SAL · 05-07-2002, 01:30 PM

I SEE NO REASON TO HAVE ACTIVE HANDLING ON. BUT LIKE SCS SAYS, "IF HIS WIFES DRIVING" MY WIFE IS NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE MY Z. I REST MY CASE.

I SAW A DEVICE SOMEWHERE SURFING THAT YOU COULD INSTALL
AND YOU COULD PROGRAM THE COMPETIVE MODE TO COME UP WHEN YOU START THE CAR INSTED OF HOLDING THE BUTTON FOR 5 SEC'S
"BANG"

2002 Z my 6 · 05-07-2002, 01:45 PM

For the most part, I leave the AH and TC on for day to day use. When I have room to drive (which is not often in Houston), I'll put the car into competition mode. As long as I correct the slides, the AH is not too intrusive on the street. If you do nothing to correct the slide, the AH cuts in very quickly and spoils the fun.

On the drag strip, I've left the AH on and turned the TC off. (I put a post it note near the gear shift with TURN OF TC in big letters. I'm paranoid that I will forget to the TC off and waste a run.) I've never had the AH kick in during a pass. If the car gets out of shape, I'll gladly let the AH ruin the run. Of course, I hope I'm smart enough to lift if the car ever gets away from me at the drag strip. I've heard of many Vipers that have hit the wall after getting loose during the 1-2 shift.

I am planning on turning AH and TC off for the auto-x.

Dreamin · 05-07-2002, 02:14 PM

Wow, i completely dont understand all the people suggesting turning AH off for the street...

Do you really drive that aggressive on the street and your hangin' the tail out all the time that AH is "too restrictive" ?! What if you need to make an emergency manuver? Are you experienced enough to get out of a spin at freeway speeds? What if there is a small patch of oil on the road?

Anyway, to answer the question for road-course driving: (Note my comments are based on an '02 Z06... I have *heard* that AH was slightly improved over '01. I have also *heard* that AH is complete crap in pre-'01 cars (non-Z06s).

I am extremely impressed with Competition Mode (AH on / TC off) on the No. Calif tracks. It is very marginally intrusive. Entering a corner too fast, it will lightly apply brakes, get the car slowed down and then not bother you mid-turn. On turn exit it lets you hang the tail out somewhat... but will not let the rear come around on you. It has saved me at turns 2 and 11 at laguna seca; the off-camber turn 3 at Thunderhill; etc. It saves me a lot with power-oversteer at turn exit (too much damn torque)
The only turn it doesn't like is the cork-screw at Laguna... I think the sudden elevation change and G-forces confuse the computer... so i take a more conservative line thru there... probably costs me less than 0.5 second.

With that said, I can see how if you are *racing* or at the level of DJWorm or Lambinator and slide the car to position it, hang the tail out and know how to reliably recover, etc... AH could be intrusive.

But I know a lot of very experienced drivers that leave AH on at the track (for HPDEs, lapping events, etc) ... they say they're willing to lose a second or two a lap and not risk crashing their cars. I know people getting 1:58s at Sears, 1:50s at LS, with AH turned on... for the non-west coast people - those are DAMN fast times for street tires.