Launch Control

Ricochet J

Ricochet J

Ricochet J

Soldato
Joined
29 Jun 2004
Posts
12,957
What's all this nonsense about in sports cars then?

Why isn't is as simple as:
1. Key in ignition, start car engine
2. Clutch, put into first gear (or drive)
3. Floor it
 
Because it allows most people who aren't skilled racing drivers to accelerate as fast as possible from a standing start. Especially useful during a round of Traffic Light Grand Prix when you've got a diesel Audi next to you and the road merges from 2 lanes to 1, 200 yards ahead.
 
I'm guessing it will optimise for things that help you off the line but aren't practical in normal driving i.e. that you won't normally be changing direction in the first few moments of heavy acceleration.

EDIT: 1-2 cars aside its not that complicated - not sure if the recent grand tour shenanigans are part of the reason for the thread but generally its really not as hard as they make out.
 
tom_e said:
I read it as him asking why it was so complicated to turn on in some cars rather than why does it exist.
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Yep. As in why can't it automatically manage the traction control for a standing start when doing a standing start? :p Seems sensible to me.
 
joeyjojo said:
Yep. As in why can't it automatically manage the traction control for a standing start when doing a standing start? :p Seems sensible to me.
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You'd not normally want it on by default - some cars recommend a service after a certain number and some like the GTR try to lock you out if you do too many.
 
joeyjojo said:
Yep. As in why can't it automatically manage the traction control for a standing start when doing a standing start? :p Seems sensible to me.
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In that case then i guess its the difference between pulling off in a normal/spirited way and pulling off with total balls to the wall disregard to your drive train. If you want the latter you've got launch control, if you just want to floor it and get away at a reasonable rate you have traction control to wind it in.

Ultimately its down to how much you want to sacrifice your car for your 0-60 times...
 
Surely this is obvious to anyone that has driven an automatic?

In a traditional Torque Converter automatic, simply mashing the throttle will accelerate the car from a few hundred RPM above idle (util the TC locks up), which isn't fast.

You can "pre-load" the TC by putting your foot on the brake and accelerating a little - not good for the TC at all but gains a significant improvement in launch - but still isn't the same as setting the revs high and side-stepping the clutch in a manual car.

What LC allows you to do is pre-load the TC a bit, but with the engine operating in an ideal part of the power band. It also generally involves any traction control systems being set to allow some slip rather than cutting the power - allowing for a much better launch while controlling rather than eradicating wheelspin.

I've not used LC in the 535d yet, but it is hilarious in the Z4. Neck-snappingly brutal though so I pretty much never use it.
 
I have yet to do a LC on my R yet. I cant remember the sequence to get the car into LC.

I believe it is ESC off or sport , then put into Race mode , then left foot hard on brake , then right foot on the throttle till about 3K or 4K RPM.

When ready , release the brake and grip the steering wheel ......
 
Its fairly easy in the Cupra. Traction control into sport car into Cupra or sport mode, Stamp on the brake, stamp on the accelerator, revs build then release brake peddle.

Only tried it once as all it does is leave a nice trail of rubber. Have better success doing it myself.
 
Pretty simple in mine.

Ignition on.
Sport mode (gearbox).
Traction off (really off hold button for 5 secs).
Hold brake.
Hold accelerator.
Sidestep.
 
Diagro said:
My Mazda fails at launches.

The car limits torque in 1st gear severely.
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I'm pretty sure it's actually pulling timing in 1st and 2nd. You can have it removed with a remap. Unplugging SWAS helps too, especially for bends.

Simple in mine too. Clutch in, accelerator down and let the clutch out. It's next to useless in a reasonably powered FWD car though.
 
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Lustral said:
I have yet to do a LC on my R yet. I cant remember the sequence to get the car into LC.

I believe it is ESC off or sport , then put into Race mode , then left foot hard on brake , then right foot on the throttle till about 3K or 4K RPM.

When ready , release the brake and grip the steering wheel ......
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The lights will have turned green and the aforementioned diesel Audi will have got to their destination by the time you faff around with all of that. ;)
 
paradigm said:
Pretty simple in mine.

Ignition on.
Sport mode (gearbox).
Traction off (really off hold button for 5 secs).
Hold brake.
Hold accelerator.
Sidestep.
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Much the same as mine.

Car in Sport+, Gearbox in S, downshift into first to put the gearbox into M, foot hard on the brake, throttle past the kickdown point. At that point a little flag comes up on the display - sidestep the brake and you're off!
 
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