How do I launch an auto?

[NerdWerx]

I just picked up my car two days ago and don't have nearly 1500 miles on it for the break in period but I was curious. How do you go about properly launching an automatic car? Does it have to do with PTM? Once I get to 1500 miles I'll play with it a bit but for now she's going to be babied big time to ensure I break her in right.


Posted from Camaro5.com App for Android

[Stephen12ZL1]

Originally Posted by NerdWerx

I just picked up my car two days ago and don't have nearly 1500 miles on it for the break in period but I was curious. How do you go about properly launching an automatic car? Does it have to do with PTM? Once I get to 1500 miles I'll play with it a bit but for now she's going to be babied big time to ensure I break her in right.


Posted from Camaro5.com App for Android

no PTM necessary. Just hold down traction control button for 7 secs until both lights illuminate on dash to indicate traction control and stabilitrak are off. Hold brake and press accelerator to rpms slightly above idle (900-1000rpm) then launch. If you don't have drag radials, pray for a well prepped track. Air down rears to 23-24 for stock Goodyears or 20-21 for M/T drag radials.

[Normagene]

There really isn't a Launch Control feature in automatics, pg 9-41 Owners Manual, and its available in any PTM Mode. Applying the brake and accelerator isn't the same as Launch Control, but I'm sure it's a great way to do a serious controlled burnout. Only a few differences in Manual/Auto like Launch Control & Hill Assist. I haven't tried Launch Control in my ZL1 yet, tried it in my SS and was disappointed, it left way too much rubber on the road. I would have thought I'd get way better take off, I actually was faster without it.

[BAD ZL1]

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

no PTM necessary. Just hold down traction control button for 7 secs until both lights illuminate on dash to indicate traction control and stabilitrak are off. Hold brake and press accelerator to rpms slightly above idle (900-1000rpm) then launch. If you don't have drag radials, pray for a well prepped track. Air down rears to 23-24 for stock Goodyears or 20-21 for M/T drag radials.

Unless you knew exactly what you are doing, wouldnt shutting off TC make the cars tires spin without that nanny? Seems an inexperienced driver, trying to get consistant launches with an auto would leave the TC on....Otherwise its roasted tire city right?

Oh, and almost forgot, dont bother with 1st gear in a drag race is my understnading.

I know my tires spin a little well before WOT when I launch at about 2000 RPM's and thats with TC on. Now, this is back road not drag strip launching with 30 PSI in tires.

[Stephen12ZL1]

Originally Posted by BAD ZL1

Unless you knew exactly what you are doing, wouldnt shutting off TC make the cars tires spin without that nanny? Seems an inexperienced driver, trying to get consistant launches with an auto would leave the TC on....Otherwise its roasted tire city right?

Oh, and almost forgot, dont bother with 1st gear in a drag race is my understnading.

I know my tires spin a little well before WOT when I launch at about 2000 RPM's and thats with TC on. Now, this is back road not drag strip launching with 30 PSI in tires.

without getting into a drag racing lesson...you must heat up a drag radial or sticky tire before running the car down the track. If the track prep is decent, please put your gear selector in "m" and let the car do the rest. This will allow the car to start in "1st" and do not use the paddles...let the car shift for you. Do not load against the brake at 2000...too much rpm. Just go about 900-1000rpm against the brake and you will be fine. Yes, turn off the traction control/stability control unless you want to make the burnout impossible. For the run if all is well, you could leave the TC on if you lack confidence. For the best possible outcome, turn off all of the nannies.

[BeardWS6]

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

no PTM necessary. Just hold down traction control button for 7 secs until both lights illuminate on dash to indicate traction control and stabilitrak are off. Hold brake and press accelerator to rpms slightly above idle (900-1000rpm) then launch. If you don't have drag radials, pray for a well prepped track. Air down rears to 23-24 for stock Goodyears or 20-21 for M/T drag radials.

Your correct on turning everything off. I have to do this since my methanol system doesn`t cut back when power is cut causing a little bog. I turn everything off and leave it tour mode.. Put trans in sport auto mode and just hold on baby..

[BAD ZL1]

Put trans in sport auto mode and just hold on baby..

What do you mean "sport auto"? You mean "M"?

[Flea]

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

without getting into a drag racing lesson...you must heat up a drag radial or sticky tire before running the car down the track. If the track prep is decent, please put your gear selector in "m" and let the car do the rest. This will allow the car to start in "1st" and do not use the paddles...let the car shift for you. Do not load against the brake at 2000...too much rpm. Just go about 900-1000rpm against the brake and you will be fine. Yes, turn off the traction control/stability control unless you want to make the burnout impossible. For the run if all is well, you could leave the TC on if you lack confidence. For the best possible outcome, turn off all of the nannies.

Does the car actually start in 1st when you just put it in "M" mode? When I drive mine in "M", I have to manually shift it down to 1st. Otherwise, the car will automatically start in 2nd. I figured if you just put it in "M" and didn't do anything with the paddles, the car would start in 2nd.

[yellow69z28rs]

I'm running my 20" MTs down to 16PSI. I read this somewhere if I remember correctly.
Also, I put my car in M, depress the sport button, and quickly push the TC button twice instead of the 7 second disengage. This launch procedure works awsome.

I don't know if its starting out in second, never really paid that close of attention, cause I just assumed it was starting in 1st.

[Stephen12ZL1]

Originally Posted by Flea

Does the car actually start in 1st when you just put it in "M" mode? When I drive mine in "M", I have to manually shift it down to 1st. Otherwise, the car will automatically start in 2nd. I figured if you just put it in "M" and didn't do anything with the paddles, the car would start in 2nd.

If you put it in "m" without touching the paddles it will start in 1st...I promise. If you touch the paddles at all, it will start in 2nd as indicated by the current gear display. If the "s" is present in the current gear display, it will start in 1st. In "d" it starts in 2nd every time.

[Flea]

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

If you put it in "m" without touching the paddles it will start in 1st...I promise. If you touch the paddles at all, it will start in 2nd as indicated by the current gear display. If the "s" is present in the current gear display, it will start in 1st. In "d" it starts in 2nd every time.

Cool. I'll have to pay more attention to how it feels next time I have the chance to drive it. Thanks.

[BeardWS6]

Originally Posted by BAD ZL1

Put trans in sport auto mode and just hold on baby..

What do you mean "sport auto"? You mean "M"?

Yes, put it in M and do not touch the paddle shifters and the trans shifts in a sport mode. If you put it in M and touch the paddles you in a true manuel mode. Car shifts really well in M auto, I love it..

[Sven59]

D (Drive): This position is for
normal driving. It provides the best
fuel economy. When the ZL1 is in
D (Drive), the first shift after start will
be from 1 (First) gear. Following
starts will begin in 2 (Second) gear.



When coasting to a stop in Tap Shift
Mode, the V6 transmission will
automatically downshift to 1 (First)
gear, and the V8 transmission will
automatically downshift to
2 (Second) gear. A 1 (First) gear
start can be selected using the Tap
Shift controls on V8 models. When
accelerating from a stop, the
transmissions will hold these gears
until the driver manually selects
higher gears using the Tap Shift
controls.

[Flea]

Originally Posted by Sven59

D (Drive): This position is for
normal driving. It provides the best
fuel economy. When the ZL1 is in
D (Drive), the first shift after start will
be from 1 (First) gear. Following
starts will begin in 2 (Second) gear.



When coasting to a stop in Tap Shift
Mode, the V6 transmission will
automatically downshift to 1 (First)
gear, and the V8 transmission will
automatically downshift to
2 (Second) gear. A 1 (First) gear
start can be selected using the Tap
Shift controls on V8 models. When
accelerating from a stop, the
transmissions will hold these gears
until the driver manually selects
higher gears using the Tap Shift
controls.

This is exactly what I was thinking. Thanks for posting that and clearing it up.