limeypride

Hi guys,

So I'm approaching 1000 miles and figured it was time to try a launch. The process itself seems easy enough and I'm apparently getting that aspect right because it tells me "race start isn't available". Is this some break-in restriction?

I'm putting the car in Sport+ or Race, burying the brake pedal and gas... but only get "race start not available--see user guide" ... or words to that effect. I've also tried various combos of traction control but no luck.

Thanks.

bobblehead

E634Me

It's never failed to engage for me.

I believe it also has to be up to temperature for both the engine oil and transmission.

I've never tried to engage it while the engine and trans are showing blue numbers in the tire pressure/temp display that also includes the engine temp info.

Never tried to engage it prior to having my full break-in period mileage out of the way so can't confirm whether or not that is an issue, but as mentioned above, some have report it as being a requirement.

limeypride

Thanks.

I had already searched via Google and via the forum's the thread search--I turned up everything other than what I wanted. I just tried searching the forums again but still no luck--if you have a pointer, that'd be great.

I also checked the manual, it says nothing about break-in mileage in the race start section.

Anyhoo, it certainly makes sense if 1,500 is the break-in distance. I've been steadily increasing my driving vigor little by little--I don't want the car thinking she's going to be driven sedately for the rest of her life.

E634Me

Sounds like dating . . .

limeypride

3Blk

I'm having this issue as well. I only have 700 miles. Did you determine there was in fact a minimum mileage requirement?

Vic55

So there is a magical electronic switch that flips on at 1500 miles? I dont even use the launch procedure as its a bit laborious to complete IMHO compared to my Turbo S's in the past. And whats the gain over a brake boost mash and go?

3Blk

I guess the magical switch would be code in the ECU. Doesn't seem impossible to imagine.

3Blk

My understanding from the owner's manual is as long as you are in the right drive mode and the car is warmed up you just hit the bake and the gas and it engages. Maybe I'm missing something though.

Vic55

It was a tongue in cheek descriptor, we all know ECU programming can be in play but we know others that have been able to launch it prior to 1500 so whats that situation?

Are you able to do launches prior to 1500 miles?

3Blk

Yes, I'd love to know the lowest mileage car that has successfully used the race start.

It has taken me two months to get 700 miles so I hope I don't have to wait until 1,500 miles!

E634Me

Didn't do my first launch till pretty close to 2000 miles. Never really got the chance in Germany prior to dropping the car off for shipment to the states. It was rainy much of the time, and didn't have any stops with clear traffic where I felt like it was safe to try it out with the family on board.

Have only done it really a few times, but once or twice it hasn't engaged properly for me. I think it is because you have to a) have foot firmly on the brake, and b) mash the throttle to the floor. If you have the brake depressed but then press down on the throttle too slowly it will rev up some but then fail to engage race start.

Seems it needs to be a brisk snap of the peddle to the floor, i.e., don't be timid about it ;-)

3Blk

Agreed that you have to hit the gas quickly. Nothing happens if I press the pedal slowly. When I press it quickly it says race start failed to engage.

limeypride

I did, yes--it worked the moment I realized I'd crossed the mileage trigger... what was it, 1200 miles I think.

Now, I use it twice daily as heart medicine--prove I've still got one and check it's beating.

By the way, I've found I can launch (full race start) from just about any mode I've driven in, which really includes Individual and Sporty modes, bit it doesn't care about shift or traction control. The beauty is how quickly it'll engage when you need/want a fast launch without preparation, I'd guess it's maybe a half second from simply mashing both peddles before releasing the brake and off you go.

limeypride

Neat trick: buy your car (for me) in CA and drive it back--break-in mileage burned... et voila!

3Blk

Guess it's time for a road trip!

dav461

limeypride

Hmmm, are you sure on the drift mode--I'm pretty sure I'd tried and successfully activated it around the same time as launch control? I wouldn't swear to that, though, so you may well be right. That said, I've used perhaps... 5 times and most of those were to show other folks it's real!

dav461

3Blk

Launch control started to work right after 1,000 miles.