Traction control vs. racing

[Vette Virgin]

Why would somebody disable the TC when racing? I would think the opposite.

I don't get it?:confused

 

[Tuna]

With traction control on, as you get faster on the autocross course, you'll start noticing that your car just doesn't accelerate out of the corners as hard as you want. This is especially true on the older Vettes like my 92 which really reduces power and keeps it off for a longer period of time.

You have to turn traction control off to drive faster.

For C5's with Active Handling, put the car in Competition Mode and you'll eliminate that lag out of the turns, get faster and the car will try to keep you from spinning out when you brake too late, etc.

 

[theplayer]

Maybe somebody can explain this because I am not to sure how the TC works after this happened. The traction control was on. I pulled out from a lot at a stand still making a left turn. I had to gas it to get across the road and the tires started spinning and it got sideways on me. I had to let off the gas to stop the spin and I noticed the traction control message came on after I let off the gas. I thought with TC on I wouldn't experience any spin. Does it take it a second to recognize its spinning? I would have been out of control by time it kicked in if I wouldn't have let off the gas. Thoughts?

 

[Ed02]

Maybe somebody can explain this because I am not to sure how the TC works after this happened. The traction control was on. I pulled out from a lot at a stand still making a left turn. I had to gas it to get across the road and the tires started spinning and it got sideways on me. I had to let off the gas to stop the spin and I noticed the traction control message came on after I let off the gas. I thought with TC on I wouldn't experience any spin. Does it take it a second to recognize its spinning? I would have been out of control by time it kicked in if I wouldn't have let off the gas. Thoughts?

That' a good question! The same exact thing happened to me the other day making a left turn in heavy traffic. However, I think I saw the Active Handling message come on for a split second before the Traction message. But your right, don't know where I would have ended up had I not backed off the gas. I understand there are limitations, but It's not like I had it floored, and who knows it may have straightened out but like you I didn't think it would get that far. It reacted no different than my Camero would.

 

[Tuna]

It sounds like there are 2 of you that need to take a trip to the local autocross track or parking lot and mash the throttle and leave it mashed just to see what the car will do - without taking a chance of hurting the car, you or someone else.

Then report back.

It seems that the newer the car is the more on the edge the TC/Active Handling allows it to be.

 

[Remo]

A Personal Observation

Last year I was on an interstate and took an exit ramp at a pretty good clip. The rear wheels just gave a hint of breaking loose and the TC engaged perfectly. It was interesting because it did not let me back in until the car stopped sliding.

On the other hand if you just want to impress your friends - select TC "off" and you can easily get the rear end to hang out with plenty of tire smoke. What a great car.

Remo:cool

 

[VAmagred01]

For 2001, as most have read, Chevy changed the algorithms in all Corvettes for a better AH/TC system. The new system is less intrusive than the previous so it allows you to enjoy the adrenaline rush before you get too crazy. Once it senses too much wheel spin/fishtailing/etc. it cuts in with power-shutdown and/or braking as c5d mentioned earlier.

So the system allows you to have fun and enjoy your car.....but it will kick in and keep you from losing total control. I would recommend doing something similar to what Tuna mentioned. That is, go to an open parking lot and get on it in all modes (i.e. on/off/competition) and see how amazing this system is. This will also allow you to understand how wild you are able to get on the street.

All the best,
Kenny

 

[Don&Kelly]

When road racing I always turn my T/C off -
With traction control on, as you get faster on the curves and try to accelerate out of the corners, you'll notice that your vette just doesn't accelerate out of the corners as fast as you want ..
that's because of the T/C , it engages a govenor of some type or another & you can not go to full throttle under these conditions in a race ... not good ...

 

[theplayer]

I did hear that they updated the TC for 2001 or 2002. They must have made it really passive because I realized I needed to let off of the gas before the TC did. It surprised me how fast it would get sideways at only half throttle. I think if I would have stayed on the gas I would have ended up doing a 180. I just though the TC would respond quicker. I just had a thought. Does the TC only sense wheel spin? It might not know if you’re turning or going straight. If that is the case a little spin going straight wouldn’t hurt, but a little spin in a turn would cause fishtail. Maybe that is what I experienced. I have floored it from a stand still though and not experienced any wheel spin. When I got sideways I was already in motion and very little throttle and then I punched it and got spin. Maybe it reacts different if your already in motion.

 

[VAmagred01]

It knows when you're going "sideways." That's what the yaw sensor is for. Mine has worked very well for me. I've gotten "crazy" with it once or twice and it corrected me and got me going straight without completely shutting down the rush. You might want to have yours checked if it's not responding quickly.

-Kenny

 

[Mike Mercury]

the yaw sensors are for Active Handling, and are not a part of the traction control system.


And on the C5, Traction Control does not apply the brakes. It simply reduces engine power by closing the butterfly valve (throttle by wire).

as for the original posters question... the TC system is not optimized for racing applications. Its solely there to keep the car moving on ice and snow.

during racing, TC over-compensates and slows the car down too much.

 

[theplayer]

So what exactly is going on with the car when you get the TC message in the display? Mine gave me that message after I had already let off the gas. How can I test to see if TC/Active Handling is working correctly? Does it involve an empty parking lot and less rubber on my tires?

 

[VAmagred01]

To clarify my statement.....

If we're talking about losing control [going "sideways"/fishtailing] then you're outside of the traction control and A.H. kicks in. If you're turning a corner and gas it, start spinning tires and pull the rear end out, then you're going to [should] get a call from both (i.e. A.H./T.C.) to get you back on track. This is why I brought up the comment about the yaw sensor. If one (e.g. Ed02 & theplayer) is wondering why they had to let off the gas to keep the car from continuing to go sideways, then it's not a T.C. problem, it's an A.H. concern in which the yaw sensor detected the car direction/steering input/throttle position/etc. and made the proper adjustments. If their system was fully engaged and this happened without any correction, then there's a problem.

Hope this helps.....
Kenny

 

[theplayer]

Does the owners manual give a lot of detail on the difference between TC and AH? If not where can I find some info on how it works? My system was engaged and I did get an AH/TC message, but it just seemed to come too late. Maybe it’s because the system is a little passive to allow some play. Can the system be adjusted?

 

[VAmagred01]

I don't remember how much info the manual gives. The video explains how it works but it doesn't go into extreme detail. I assume the only way to find out if it's working properly is to have a computer diagnostics test by the dealer.

 

[DRTH VTR]

Traction control senses when the rear wheels are going faster than the car and cuts engine power. Active handling senses yaw and selectively applies brakes at each individual wheel to stabilize the car. They can both work together. That is my limited understanding of the difference. One senses wheel slip and cuts power. the other senses impending or early spin and applies brakes at the correct corner(s) to correct. I am sure that it is more complex than that.