Traction Control

[alvarof]

Hello, I am a new member of the forum. I want to know if it is possible to quit or remove totally de Traccion control of the Z06 (totally, not competitive mode). I am a racer and I don´t like it very much. I asked in my Chevy retailer in Spain but they couldn´t help me.....
many thanks

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
Yes, turn it off.
The ABS will still function.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[Patrick]

Alvarof,
First of all, welcome to the CAC!

I believe you turn off the Traction Control by holding the button down for at least five seconds.

-Patrick

 

[Hib Halverson]

You might not like the idea of "Competitive Mode" which is "Active Handling" only with no traction control, but I'll bet you'll turn quicker lap times with the system in Competitive Mode vs. the system off.

In testing, GM and others find that unless you're a world-class, professional road racer, (ie: capable of running laps close or better than lap records) you'll be quicker with the system on Comp mode than off.

I'd try it both ways for time at the track and see.

 

[alvarof]

Alvarof,
First of all, welcome to the CAC!

I believe you turn off the Traction Control by holding the button down for at least five seconds.

-Patrick

ok, sure. But I don,t like active handling and I don,t like competitive mode...Are you sure if in competitive mode the car is completely free of traction control?.

 

[alvarof]

You might not like the idea of "Competitive Mode" which is "Active Handling" only with no traction control, but I'll bet you'll turn quicker lap times with the system in Competitive Mode vs. the system off.

In testing, GM and others find that unless you're a world-class, professional road racer, (ie: capable of running laps close or better than lap records) you'll be quicker with the system on Comp mode than off.

I'd try it both ways for time at the track and

Alvaro Fontes at Driver Database | Motorsport

Ok, I,m not a profesional race driver but you can see in this web my"carreer"...I,m agree with you. Its better the competitive mode than the active handling. But my question is if it is possible to quit all the controls and let the car completly free. I don,t mind if I loose also the ABS.I think in the competitive mode the traction control is not "off" totally....

 

[alvarof]

HI there,
Yes, turn it off.
The ABS will still function.
Allthebest, c4c5

Do you think that in the "competitive mode" the car is completely free of traction control?.

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
It is completely free of traction control.
However, as I stated push the button down for 5 second, and that will disable all but ABS.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[Hib Halverson]

Just to review, the system has three levels or modes. "On" (which is both traction control and stability enhacementd), Competitve mode (which is stability enhancement without traction control) and "off". You turn the system off by following the instructions listed above by "c4c5specialist".

That turns traction control and stability enhancement off but leaves ABS on. It also does not affect the engine rev limiter nor will it disable any of the "powerhop algorithms" that might be in the calibration to prevent driveline damage during wheel hop incidents.

 

[alvarof]

Just to review, the system has three levels or modes. "On" (which is both traction control and stability enhacementd), Competitve mode (which is stability enhancement without traction control) and "off". You turn the system off by following the instructions listed above by "c4c5specialist".

That turns traction control and stability enhancement off but leaves ABS on. It also does not affect the engine rev limiter nor will it disable any of the "powerhop algorithms" that might be in the calibration to prevent driveline damage during wheel hop incidents.

Sorry, but in my car (I don,t know if in the european model things are different) there are three levels;
"on" active handling....traction control and stability enhacement
"off" active handling...stability enhacement
competitive mode...when I push the botton 5 seconds. The car apparently is free of everything, but when starts to "slide" in a corner of the race track...the active handling appears in the screen flashing. it means that the car apparently is free of controls but when the slide is "very big" the system starts again.
Sorry because of my english, I hope I explained my opinion in good terms

 

[Patrick]

Sorry, but in my car (I don,t know if in the european model things are different) there are three levels;
"on" active handling....traction control and stability enhacement
"off" active handling...stability enhacement
competitive mode...when I push the botton 5 seconds. The car apparently is free of everything, but when starts to "slide" in a corner of the race track...the active handling appears in the screen flashing. it means that the car apparently is free of controls but when the slide is "very big" the system starts again.
Sorry because of my english, I hope I explained my opinion in good terms

Alvarof,
I've copied some relevant sections from the 2006 Owner's Manual. We have a link to it at CAC: CLICK HERE. (It's a PDF document, so you'll need to have Adobe Reader installed to open it.) Here's what the owner's manual has to say about Active Handling:

2006 Owner's Manual, page 3-41 (PDF document page 177 of 426):

If the driver turns off the Active Handling System by pressing the button on the console for five seconds, the Active Handling System light will come on, a chime will sound, and the TRACTION SYSTEM AND ACTIVE HANDLING – OFF message will be displayed in the DIC. The Traction Control System will also be turned off. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-53 for more information.

If the Active Handling System and the Traction Control System are off, pressing the console button momentarily will turn both systems on. The DIC will display the TRACTION SYSTEM AND ACTIVE HANDLING – ON message, the instrument cluster light will be off, and a chime will sound. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-53 for more information.

page 3-53 (PDF document page 189 of 426):

ACTIVE HANDLING: Your vehicle has a computer controlled system to assist the driver in controlling the vehicle in difficult driving conditions. You may feel or hear the system working and see the ACTIVE HANDLING message displayed in the DIC. This message will stay on for a few seconds following the active handling event. This is normal when the system is operating. See Active Handling System on page 4-10 and Braking on page 4-6.

pages 4-10 through 4-11 (PDF document pages 248 & 249 of 426)

Active Handling System
The Active Handling System is a computer controlled system that helps the driver maintain directional control of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions. This is accomplished by selectively applying any one of the vehicle’s brakes.

When you first start your vehicle during cold winter weather and begin to drive away, the message ACTIVE HANDLING WARMING UP may be displayed in the DIC. This is normal. You can acknowledge this message by pressing the RESET button. The Active Handling System performance is affected until the message, ACTIVE HANDLING READY, is displayed in the DIC.

The ACTIVE HANDLING CALIBRATING message may be displayed in the DIC and the instrument panel cluster light will be on after exceeding 18 mph (30 km/h) for 10 seconds. The Active Handling System is off until the ACTIVE HANDLING READY message is displayed. This could take up to 15 minutes.

The ACTIVE HANDLING message will come on when the system is operating. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-53 for more information. You may also feel or hear the system working. This is normal.

The SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING message will be displayed, the instrument cluster light will come on, and a chime will sound to let you know if there is a problem with the system. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-53 for more information.
When this light and the SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING message are on, the system is not operational. Adjust your driving accordingly.

The Active Handling System comes on automatically whenever you start your vehicle. To help maintain directional control of the vehicle, you should always leave the system on. You can turn the system off if you ever need to. If you turn the Active Handling System off, the Traction Control System will also be turned off. Adjust your driving accordingly.

To turn the system off, press the ACTIVE HANDLING button on the console for five seconds. You can turn the system on at any time by pressing the button. The DIC will display the appropriate message when you push the button.
If the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system detects a flat tire and the Driver Information Center (DIC) displays TIRE FLAT, or if the TPM system is malfunctioning and the DIC displays SERVICE TIRE MONITOR, the Active Handling System will be affected as follows:
• The Active Handling System cannot be turned off by the driver.
• If the Active Handling System is off, it will be turned on automatically.
• Competitive Driving Mode is unavailable.
• The Active Handling System will feel different in aiding and maintaining directional control.

______________________________________

So, with this in mind, first question: when you get in and start the engine, and then press and hold down the Traction Control button for five seconds, are you getting both the chime and the message on the Driver's Information Center that says "TRACTION SYSTEM AND ACTIVE HANDLING - OFF"?

Second question: is your TPM, or Tire Pressure Monitoring system functioning correctly?

Scope those out and let us know what you find.

 

[alvarof]

Alvarof,
I've copied some relevant sections from the 2006 Owner's Manual. We have a link to it at CAC: CLICK HERE. (It's a PDF document, so you'll need to have Adobe Reader installed to open it.) Here's what the owner's manual has to say about Active Handling:

2006 Owner's Manual, page 3-41 (PDF document page 177 of 426):

If the driver turns off the Active Handling System by pressing the button on the console for five seconds, the Active Handling System light will come on, a chime will sound, and the TRACTION SYSTEM AND ACTIVE HANDLING – OFF message will be displayed in the DIC. The Traction Control System will also be turned off. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-53 for more information.

If the Active Handling System and the Traction Control System are off, pressing the console button momentarily will turn both systems on. The DIC will display the TRACTION SYSTEM AND ACTIVE HANDLING – ON message, the instrument cluster light will be off, and a chime will sound. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-53 for more information.

page 3-53 (PDF document page 189 of 426):

ACTIVE HANDLING: Your vehicle has a computer controlled system to assist the driver in controlling the vehicle in difficult driving conditions. You may feel or hear the system working and see the ACTIVE HANDLING message displayed in the DIC. This message will stay on for a few seconds following the active handling event. This is normal when the system is operating. See Active Handling System on page 4-10 and Braking on page 4-6.

pages 4-10 through 4-11 (PDF document pages 248 & 249 of 426)

Active Handling System
The Active Handling System is a computer controlled system that helps the driver maintain directional control of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions. This is accomplished by selectively applying any one of the vehicle’s brakes.

When you first start your vehicle during cold winter weather and begin to drive away, the message ACTIVE HANDLING WARMING UP may be displayed in the DIC. This is normal. You can acknowledge this message by pressing the RESET button. The Active Handling System performance is affected until the message, ACTIVE HANDLING READY, is displayed in the DIC.

The ACTIVE HANDLING CALIBRATING message may be displayed in the DIC and the instrument panel cluster light will be on after exceeding 18 mph (30 km/h) for 10 seconds. The Active Handling System is off until the ACTIVE HANDLING READY message is displayed. This could take up to 15 minutes.

The ACTIVE HANDLING message will come on when the system is operating. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-53 for more information. You may also feel or hear the system working. This is normal.

The SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING message will be displayed, the instrument cluster light will come on, and a chime will sound to let you know if there is a problem with the system. See DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-53 for more information.
When this light and the SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING message are on, the system is not operational. Adjust your driving accordingly.

The Active Handling System comes on automatically whenever you start your vehicle. To help maintain directional control of the vehicle, you should always leave the system on. You can turn the system off if you ever need to. If you turn the Active Handling System off, the Traction Control System will also be turned off. Adjust your driving accordingly.

To turn the system off, press the ACTIVE HANDLING button on the console for five seconds. You can turn the system on at any time by pressing the button. The DIC will display the appropriate message when you push the button.
If the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system detects a flat tire and the Driver Information Center (DIC) displays TIRE FLAT, or if the TPM system is malfunctioning and the DIC displays SERVICE TIRE MONITOR, the Active Handling System will be affected as follows:
• The Active Handling System cannot be turned off by the driver.
• If the Active Handling System is off, it will be turned on automatically.
• Competitive Driving Mode is unavailable.
• The Active Handling System will feel different in aiding and maintaining directional control.

______________________________________

So, with this in mind, first question: when you get in and start the engine, and then press and hold down the Traction Control button for five seconds, are you getting both the chime and the message on the Driver's Information Center that says "TRACTION SYSTEM AND ACTIVE HANDLING - OFF"?

Second question: is your TPM, or Tire Pressure Monitoring system functioning correctly?

Scope those out and let us know what you find.

Ok, I try...and tell you something.
many thanks!!!
Alvaro.

 

[NORTY]

Alvarof~
Are you wanting to free tha car of TC/AH? Just hold the button down for 5 seconds until the "TC/AH OFF" appears in the DIC. You may be experiencing antilock brakes activated if you're turning while braking for turns. If you have a track with a long left turn where you sustain at least 1G during the turn, be sure to check on engine "oil starvation." It can show up as a con rod seizing on the crank and punching a hole in the block. This is what the track crew picked up after just such a scenario~

 

[NORTY]

Sorry I can't post 2 pics on the same post!

This is what happens when the oil leaks out of the hole in the block and contacts the hot exhaust system underneath...

 

[alvarof]

Ok, I try...and tell you something.
many thanks!!!
Alvaro.

hello, sorry for the delay but my Corvette wasn,t in order because we are changing the dampers (now MOTOMS). I changed also the rims (grey. my Z06 is blue) and the Tire monitor pressure started to give me problems. Now everything its ok and I tested the car without any control. I think is more funny but also risky in the street. I think now I can test it in Ascari circuit (::: Ascari ::: Ascari Race resort, Ascari Cars, Ascari Racing Team).
Many thanks for the information.
Alvaro Fontes

 

[alvarof]

guau!!!, thank you for the advice. I telll my mechanics...