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Should I turn traction control on/off every time

4763 Views 17 Replies 17 Participants Last post by  Patrick
So im a newbie, but have this question. The guy that owned the car before me 2000 C5 mentioned that he always turned off the traction control unless it was raining.

Does everyone always turn this off after starting their car, or do you mostly leave it on. I do know what its for, but I dont get real crazy.

I dont like the fact that the computer constantly shows "Traction Control Off", but if it will help save the life of the car i wont care.

So i guess im just looking for some general guidelines or find out how a majority of C5 owners drive their cars.

Thanks Guys.

-David
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It's a personal choice, I leave my traction control on all the time. It saved my ass once!!
I leave mine on 99% of the time, its saved my ass a couple of times too!

Of course the 1% of the time i turn it off is pretty fun though.

:cheers:
I agree.. leave it on... unless you are screwing around in a parking lot doing donuts. These are really powerful cars, and if you are new to a Vette, as I was 7 months ago, the TC will save your ass at least once. You didn't mention whether you have a stick or auto, but either way...

have fun :D
Tell you a story

I leave mine on all the time unless I want to play a little.

Tell you a story,,,, It was right after winter and I was on the highway doing about 50 and I nailed it to pass two cars, there was a little sand in the middle that I did not see and before I knew it the traction control light was on and it saved my butt…….

:partyon:
traction control will save your tires...
active handling will save your ass...

if you want to play, put it in competitive mode :thumbsup:
When it's time for some spirited fun, I put mine in competetive driving mode by holding the button down for about 6-10 seconds. Other than that It stays on :thumbsup:
Same here, I leave mine on. If I turn traction control off, while on a hole shot I got to be careful. My C5 has so much power that I bounce my rev limiter 2 or 3 times if I am not careful. Can't win a race doing that.

I just put it in Competitive Driving mode, that way the active handling is still on. :thumbsup:
Tc

Leave it on. unless you are playin around. The first time you forget and goose the throttle you could end up wrecked. If thats not a good enough reason then :crazy: better rethink any mods you are plannin on cause they will most certainly end up claimed by the insurance company.:down:
So im a newbie, but have this question. The guy that owned the car before me 2000 C5 mentioned that he always turned off the traction control unless it was raining.

Does everyone always turn this off after starting their car, or do you mostly leave it on. I do know what its for, but I dont get real crazy.

I dont like the fact that the computer constantly shows "Traction Control Off", but if it will help save the life of the car i wont care.

So i guess im just looking for some general guidelines or find out how a majority of C5 owners drive their cars.

Thanks Guys.

-David
Hello, David, and welcome to DC!

What makes you think that turning off TC will "help save the life of the car?"

Is that something the previous owner told you? There's really no need to turn it off, except in the cases mentioned by previous posters.

Leave it on, and enjoy the car!

Steven
Sometimes I'm amazed that anyone survived before the advent of traction control, active handling, and antilock brakes. I agree that both on the street and on the track, all of these features have advantages (albeit in different ways). But, no manner of electronic intervention will prevent us from doing something stupid if we try hard enough.

If you turn TC off, just be aware that all control is left up to your right foot. Not much reason to turn it off on the street unless you're showing off, but with good driving, you shouldn't have any problems.
So i guess im just looking for some general guidelines or find out how a majority of C5 owners drive their cars.
On your 200o, it takes quite a while for TC to turn on or off, I added a TracActive controller which allows you to set any mode - I use competitive driving - as default on start up. Switching to any mode is then instantaneous and can be done while moving. I start up and drive competitive driving mode because the TC inhibits performance ebven with my limited mods.. With TC on, my car hesitates on hard acceleration. With it off, no hesitation with aggressive throttle use. Competitive driving can save you when you start to go sideways. TC saves the tires by reducing engine power. The TracActive controller is about $100 and a great, simple plug in addition. With a push of the button, I can use TC when roads are wet and yet have full power to enjoy 99% of the time.
Thank you

Thanks for all the information. I will deffinately leave this on unless the occasion warrants a different situation.

But to answer the previous posts, yeah the previous owner always turned it off. He was 79 years old so probably just wanted the feel of the older cars without the control on.

Thanks for all the advice.
I leave mine on all the time except when I want to smoke the tires. Zit.
well im kind of old fashioned, but i ALWAYS turn it off as soon as i fire it up.....it has saved alot of peoples asses, but its never saved mine. actually to be honest...it almost got me in a wreck one time in the rain. tried pulling out and didnt see a car was coming, so i got on it. it nearly died and almost stopped in the middle of traffic because i layed in it to hard. i got out of it and got it back going again....but it scared teh **** out of me. i know its a rediculous story...but its true.
well im kind of old fashioned, but i ALWAYS turn it off as soon as i fire it up.....it has saved alot of peoples asses, but its never saved mine. actually to be honest...it almost got me in a wreck one time in the rain. tried pulling out and didnt see a car was coming, so i got on it. it nearly died and almost stopped in the middle of traffic because i layed in it to hard. i got out of it and got it back going again....but it scared teh **** out of me. i know its a rediculous story...but its true.
I know the feeling, it pretty much nose dives for a second...kinda scary
I have nothing left. The ABS, traction control and active handling are broken.

So, it's all raw... and interesting to play with. :D
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