Who else is running around with traction control off?

[DragonSky]

I always turn mine off as soon as I hit the starter on Midnight. I used to do the same thing on a Bullitt Mustang that I owned, unless the roads were wet and slippery. I'm curious what everyone else is doing. Has anyone noticed any performance and/or fuel mileage differences with it on or off?

[Sky_Pilot]

Ditto here, wish I could turn it off permanently.

[ygibb]

Ahh, this is why I come to this forum. These are the threads I love. I just recently started turning it off. Outside of tire spin, I don't notice a huge difference in power.

Are you talking about Competitive Mode or just turning off the traction control?

[DragonSky]

Originally Posted by Sky_Pilot

Ditto here, wish I could turn it off permanently.

Me too, or reverse it so that it's off by default and we could turn it on when we want to.

[DragonSky]

Originally Posted by ygibb

Ahh, this is why I come to this forum. These are the threads I love. I just recently started turning it off. Outside of tire spin, I don't notice a huge difference in power.

Are you talking about Competitive Mode or just turning off the traction control?

What is Competitive Mode? Do base Sky's have that, or is that a Redline feature?

[rich71]

i always use competative mode unless i am really screwing around on the turns, then i turn the whole thing on. I don't drive with the ESC off unless i want to race in a straight line.

[rich71]

hit your button 2x - lets you brake the tires loose and get a little squirly, but still pulls you in if it gets too bad......so they say. I haven't foundout for myself.

[rich71]

redlines have it for sure. i am not sure if bases have it

[DragonSky]

Originally Posted by rich71

redlines have it for sure. i am not sure if bases have it

I didn't see that in my manual, so that might mean base Sky's don't have it. I will try it though, maybe it will work...

[SkyhighNY]

Originally Posted by DragonSky

I didn't see that in my manual, so that might mean base Sky's don't have it. I will try it though, maybe it will work...

Base Skys don't have it. It only comes with the redline or GXP for the solstice.

I usually leave mine on but when I feel like letting loose a little I turn it off. I do notice a difference when I'm in competitive mode. To me it feels like a different car. Way more fun!

[Bogie]

Originally Posted by DragonSky

Has anyone noticed any performance and/or fuel mileage differences with it on or off?

I keep it ON all the time, but I'll give you an engineer's take.

If you're operating at the limit of traction (e.g., track dragstrip launch) or are trying to throttle steer (around a corner), then you want TC OFF for maximum performance. I really can't think of a good reason to have it off in every day driving unless you're stuck in mud or snow...or unless you want to performance drive on every day roads (which is not recommended unless you live out in the middle of no where).

As for fuel, unless the vehcile is in a state of rear slip, there should be zero fuel difference. If you slip with TC off, you will be burning gas and getting less traction. If you slip with TC on, you will be burning less gas and getting more traction. In every day driving, this means less fuel efficiency for TC off. In performance driving, it's a toss up as a TC activation can throw off your line to the point that any fuel saved on the spark retard is lost when making up for the inefficient line or loss of momentum. A similar argument could be made for a drag launch.

[Peanut]

We have recently collected an Opel GT - a very rare sight here in the UK. We imported it from germany and unfortunately the manual is in German. we have seen this competitive mode and would like to know exactly what it does when you select it. Does it for example introduce a degree of extra stiffness to the suspension?

Would really appreciate an explanation of exactly what it does - thanks Guys.

[Elff]

All I know is from what I have read here.
It turns off Traction control, but enhances the stability control to help with "Spirited" driving.

I double tap mine whenever I feel like practicing some drifting.

I am lucky to have some areas around me where I could mess up and not hit anyone or anything.

[RedHeaded RedLine]

Originally Posted by Elff

All I know is from what I have read here.
It turns off Traction control, but enhances the stability control to help with "Spirited" driving.

If by 'enhances' you mean ‘does nothing’ then yes. Traction control reduces wheel spin. You may be confusing this with yaw control. If you get into competition mode, you can disable TC and reduce yaw control, while still having a safety net if you get too sideways. I find the TC too intrusive; I can feel it, just turning left into my subdivision, across 2 lanes of traffic. It is very un-nerving to need to go and the car does want to. -J

[pcmawaka]

base skys do have it

[SKYHIGH007]

Originally Posted by Peanut

We have recently collected an Opel GT - a very rare sight here in the UK. We imported it from germany and unfortunately the manual is in German. we have seen this competitive mode and would like to know exactly what it does when you select it. Does it for example introduce a degree of extra stiffness to the suspension?

Would really appreciate an explanation of exactly what it does - thanks Guys.

Hi! No, it does not change the suspension, just allows the rear wheels to spin.
This is from a 2008 Sky Owner's Manual: the driver can select this optional handlng mode by pressing the ESC/TCS button on the console two times within a five second time period...competitive Driving Mode allows the driver to have full control of the rear wheels while the ESC system helps maintain directional control by selective brake application...the traction control system will not be operating. Also, in the Notice: Do not attempt to shift when the rear wheels do not have traction...(possibly damage to transmission).

[Elff]

Originally Posted by RedHeaded RedLine

If by 'enhances' you mean ‘does nothing’ then yes. Traction control reduces wheel spin. You may be confusing this with yaw control. If you get into competition mode, you can disable TC and reduce yaw control, while still having a safety net if you get too sideways. I find the TC too intrusive; I can feel it, just turning left into my subdivision, across 2 lanes of traffic. It is very un-nerving to need to go and the car does want to. -J

I'm not confusing anything, I just posted what I read.
That's called regurgitation, paraphrasing, plagiarism etc.....

The redline has TC and ESC
TC is traction control.
ESC is Enhanced Stability Control

Competitive mode turns off TC and changes ESC

Footnotes for my plagiarism
Traction Control...
traction settings?

[OlSkyDriver]

Originally Posted by SKYHIGH007

Hi! No, it does not change the suspension, just allows the rear wheels to spin.
This is from a 2008 Sky Owner's Manual: the driver can select this optional handlng mode by pressing the ESC/TCS button on the console two times within a five second time period...competitive Driving Mode allows the driver to have full control of the rear wheels while the ESC system helps maintain directional control by selective brake application...the traction control system will not be operating. Also, in the Notice: Do not attempt to shift when the rear wheels do not have traction...(possibly damage to transmission).

While this is all true, what the manul does not mention is this. If you press the button a third time, and hold it down for about 5 seconds, it turns everything off. Traction control, ESC, everything. There are several video clips on here somewhere of people doing just that, and spinning out of control into oncoming traffic. Not a smart thing to do. Driving in competive mode is fun, and still somewhat safe to do.

[RedHeaded RedLine]

Originally Posted by Elff

I'm not confusing anything, I just posted what I read.
That's called regurgitation, paraphrasing, plagiarism etc.....

The redline has TC and ESC
TC is traction control.
ESC is Enhanced Stability Control

Competitive mode turns off TC and changes ESC

Footnotes for my plagiarism
Traction Control...
traction settings?

OK, Yaw control = ESC -J

[RedHeaded RedLine]

Originally Posted by Peanut

We have recently collected an Opel GT - a very rare sight here in the UK. We imported it from germany and unfortunately the manual is in German. we have seen this competitive mode and would like to know exactly what it does when you select it. Does it for example introduce a degree of extra stiffness to the suspension?
Would really appreciate an explanation of exactly what it does - thanks Guys.

In our Volvo R, the "advanced" suspension setting does give a faster throttle response, quicker turbo boost, and a faster shift schedule. We like the 4C option. -J

[epcotpalms]

Originally Posted by Bogie

I keep it ON all the time, but I'll give you an engineer's take.

If you're operating at the limit of tr