Looking for quicker lap times? Consider keeping traction control activated.

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      We all recognize the drill, right? Open the door, take a seat, buckle up, press the clutch, shift into neutral, and turn the key. The next step is to disable the traction control system, but you might want to reconsider that action, especially if you own a newer vehicle. Why? You might actually find that leaving it on will make you quicker—not just during your daily drive, but overall.

      Think I’m mistaken? Fair enough. Let’s take advice from Nik Romano, The Drive’s resident racing driver and high-performance driving instructor. His expertise is certainly more credible than mine, and he's chosen an ideal vehicle for today’s demonstration: a 2026 C8 Chevrolet Corvette.

      This mid-engine sports coupe comes with not just the essential components for speed on the track but also an impressive software package. Nowadays, every manufacturer aiming for racing success has some form of race-inspired traction control system.

      Unlike the old traction control systems that simply reduced throttle based on ABS signals, the latest systems perform electronic wonders even with the most clumsy inputs. Even basic traction control has shown to be advantageous rather than detrimental in real-world situations; that’s why many racing leagues banned the technology in the '80s and '90s. Today's systems are significantly more sophisticated than those simple on/off switches.

      Whether you drive a Cadillac or Chevy, GM brands its advanced traction control system as Performance Traction Management, or PTM. But just how effective can it be? In the early 2000s, GM worried that customers might find it hard to handle 400 horsepower on urban roads; now, the automaker offers multiple rear-wheel-drive performance vehicles with even greater power, with PTM playing a role in giving GM the confidence to tackle potential liability issues. All I can say is, more Blackwings, please.

      To showcase the advancements of these systems, Romano took the Corvette for some fast laps at California’s Buttonwillow Raceway. Starting in “Touring” mode (the standard for everyday driving), Romano completed laps in each of PTM’s performance settings, progressing through Dry, Sport, and various Race levels. Lastly, there was the Pro mode—the ultimate setting in which Chevy effectively lets drivers fend for themselves.

      PTM works in conjunction with the car's other systems, such as the Magnetic Ride Control suspension and, when equipped (as it is in the Corvette), the automatic transmission. It also relies heavily on the car’s electronic stability control system. The sensors that track a car’s pitch (forward/rear tilt) and yaw (sideway motion) are crucial for predicting vehicle dynamics.

      This capability not only helps ensure better control (anticipating and intervening before a driver fully loses command) but also serves as an excellent tool for managing and adjusting for different conditions on the racetrack, where weight distribution is key.

      Romano spent the day driving the C8 in different modes under varying tire and surface temperatures to eliminate any anomalies in lap times. The findings? If you’ve been attentive, they should come as no surprise. While the Touring lap was notably the slowest, the quickest lap did not come from the Pro mode, but rather from Race 2.

      After analyzing the data, the conclusions are unmistakable. Romano’s best times were faster with PTM activated, and his driving was more fluid as well. So, the next time you head out for your commute (or perhaps even on the track), think twice before disengaging traction control.

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