Active Handling
In 1998 General Motors developed a system called "Active Handling" which has a stability control feature that uses on-board sensors to measure the vehicle's lateral acceleration, yaw rate, and steering wheel position. These sensors work in conjunction with the vehicle's Anti-lock braking system and traction control system which automatically assist a vehicle's driver in understeering and oversteering situations. The Z06 came standard with the second generation "Active Handling" system. The second generation system added the following substantial improvements to the original system:
- New Pressure Modulator
The second-generation Active Handling system utilizes the Bosch version 5.3 hydraulic pressure modulator. Bosch improved this version to become smaller, quieter and more efficient at lower temperatures. The new modulator can operate at -4 °F (-20 °C) resulting in accelerated functioning capacity after cold startups. The pressure sensor originally located in the master cylinder was also integrated into the new pressure modulator.
- Dynamic Rear Proportioning
The second-generation Active Handling system utilizes a newly designed dynamic rear brake proportioning system. The new enhancement is a software driven improvement which balances the rear brake pressure electronically thus preventing rear brake bias also known as "Brake Lockup". The new system replaces the physically standard brake proportioning valve and its tubing components thus reducing weight and overall complexity.
- Sideslip Angle Rate Control
The second-generation Active Handling system received a major addition in the form of a sideslip angle rate control. This addition is software based and senses a driver's response time to changing vehicle movements during handling maneuvers. The system compensates for driver errors by utilizing the vehicles braking and traction control systems to maintain the stability of the vehicle based upon the parameters programmed by General Motors.
- Coefficient of Friction Estimation
The second-generation Active Handling system received another software upgrade in the form of improved calibration algorithms that estimate the friction coefficient of road surfaces. As traction on roads decreases (such as slippery road surfaces), a vehicle is biased towards slipping sideways. The new coefficient estimation takes this traction problem into account and factors it in with the rest of the Active Handling system inputs.
- Rear Brake Stability Control
The second-generation Active Handling system also added another software enhancement in the form of a rear brake stability control. This addition releases brake pressure on the inside rear wheel during high lateral acceleration maneuvers. This system assists drivers who do not estimate radius turns correctly during high speed and light braking. The system compensates for driver errors by utilizing the vehicle's braking system thus allowing for a more predictable maneuver while keeping the vehicle on its initial vector.
- Better Coordination
As has already been stated the Active Handling system works in conjunction with the Traction Control System. The second generation system continues this relationship but has been modified and refined to target specific rear brake pressures and control engine torque based upon the parameters programmed by General Motors. This modification results in improved acceleration and fewer engine sags.
- Competitive Mode
The second-generation Active Handling system incorporated into the Z06 has a unique featured labeled "Competitive Mode". When activated this feature turns the vehicle's Traction Control system off while still employing all the other components of the "Active Handling" system. To enable this feature a driver merely presses down on the Active Handling button for five seconds. This can be done even while the vehicle is in motion.
Read more about this topic: Chevrolet Corvette C5 Z06
Famous quotes containing the words active and/or handling:
“I am grown old and my memory is not as active as it used to be. When I was younger I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not; but my faculties are decaying now, and soon I shall be so I cannot remember any but the things that never happened. It is sad to go to pieces like this, but we all have to do it.”
—Mark Twain [Samuel Langhorne Clemens] (1835–1910)
“For a novel addressed by a man to men and women of full age; which attempts to deal unaffectedly with the fret and fever, derision and disaster, that may press in the wake of the strongest passion known to humanity; to tell, without a mincing of words, of a deadly war waged between flesh and spirit; and to point the tragedy of unfulfilled aims, I am not aware that there is anything in the handling to which exception can be taken.”
—Thomas Hardy (1840–1928)