Transmission question(Comp Mode)
Senior Member
Joined: 05-18-2010
Posts: 313
From: Roseville, Mi
My 09 has been doing an odd thing ever since I bought it. My dealer thinks it's normal.....I dont. Maybe you guys can help?
When I am in comp mode and I start from a stop(normal driving,no nailing it)when it shifts from first to second, the tranny slips. Sometimes if I do hammer it, it will slip too. It happens randomly. I cant see this as being normal because if you are racing, it will lose you time. Once the slip starts, you can hammer it and it will rev up and then shift. Dealer claims it is normal so the tranny wont blow apart.
It seems to do this only in comp mode. Again, I dont find this to be normal because sometimes it shifts nice and hard into second and sometimes it slips badly? I dont think that is normal by any means.
I hope I described it ok. Anyone?
When I am in comp mode and I start from a stop(normal driving,no nailing it)when it shifts from first to second, the tranny slips. Sometimes if I do hammer it, it will slip too. It happens randomly. I cant see this as being normal because if you are racing, it will lose you time. Once the slip starts, you can hammer it and it will rev up and then shift. Dealer claims it is normal so the tranny wont blow apart.
It seems to do this only in comp mode. Again, I dont find this to be normal because sometimes it shifts nice and hard into second and sometimes it slips badly? I dont think that is normal by any means.
I hope I described it ok. Anyone?
Dave
Platinum Member
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,721
From: Alabama
Senior Member
Joined: 11-05-2010
Posts: 1,492
From: Detroit, Michigan USA
@Grizzly old man, what is the year and trim level of your HHR?
I am just going to put this out there in hopes that it is close to what you are seeking. I was digging around in the 2009 Chevrolet HHR owner's manual and I see on page 3-52, there is a section that reads about Competitive Mode.
I just thought I would throw that out there, but once I get your model year I will be able to research in more detail.
Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service
I am just going to put this out there in hopes that it is close to what you are seeking. I was digging around in the 2009 Chevrolet HHR owner's manual and I see on page 3-52, there is a section that reads about Competitive Mode.
I just thought I would throw that out there, but once I get your model year I will be able to research in more detail.
Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service
Senior Member
Joined: 07-15-2009
Posts: 2,070
From: Waterbury CT
The auto doesn't have a launch mode. I tried hundreds of times to "stall" my auto SS. I could never get past 2200rpm before it roasted the tires. Even above 1800rpm, all I would get is tire spin. It doesn't work! It only works in the five speed SS's. The sticks also get the nifty "no lift shift" as well. I did notice a little more aggressive shift points in comp mode however.
On a auto SS, there is no launch/Comp mode!
Dave
On a auto SS, there is no launch/Comp mode!
Dave
It doesn't have a launch mode??? I beg to differ as I've raced mine at the track many times and have launched the car anywhere from 1800 rm's to 3500 rpm's while in comp. mode. When launched anywhere above 2500 rpm's, launch mode in an auto SS will spin in 1st, "bog", then kick 2nd gear in hard then scoot like a bat outta hell (well, mine does anyway). From my experience the best lauches are had when stalling anywher between 2K and 2.5K rpm's, depending on track prep. If you want to get the tranny to shift better then hold down the trac button for 10 seconds to disable TCS and ESC. While in this mode (and leaving the tranny in I gear) I've noticed in casual driving that the tranny shifts smoother in the 1-2 and 2-3 shift. SilverIceSS, push your trac button 2x quickly and tell me what your DIC says... it'll say LAUNCH MODE! 
Now hold that button down for 10 seconds until "ESC OFF" is diplayed and you'll disable most of the nannies. Another way to do it is to get a tune and remove the torque reduction parameters which are what many experience as 'tranny slip'.Later
Allex
Member
Joined: 08-11-2010
Posts: 98
From: House
???? It doesn't have a launch mode??? I beg to differ as I've raced mine at the track many times and have launched the car anywhere from 1800 rm's to 3500 rpm's while in comp. mode. When launched anywhere above 2500 rpm's, launch mode in an auto SS will spin in 1st, "bog", then kick 2nd gear in hard then scoot like a bat outta hell (well, mine does anyway). From my experience the best lauches are had when stalling anywher between 2K and 2.5K rpm's, depending on track prep. If you want to get the tranny to shift better then hold down the trac button for 10 seconds to disable TCS and ESC. While in this mode (and leaving the tranny in I gear) I've noticed in casual driving that the tranny shifts smoother in the 1-2 and 2-3 shift. SilverIceSS, push your trac button 2x quickly and tell me what your DIC says... it'll say LAUNCH MODE! Now hold that button down for 10 seconds until "ESC OFF" is diplayed and you'll disable most of the nannies. Another way to do it is to get a tune and remove the torque reduction parameters which are what many experience as 'tranny slip'.
Later
Allex
It doesn't have a launch mode??? I beg to differ as I've raced mine at the track many times and have launched the car anywhere from 1800 rm's to 3500 rpm's while in comp. mode. When launched anywhere above 2500 rpm's, launch mode in an auto SS will spin in 1st, "bog", then kick 2nd gear in hard then scoot like a bat outta hell (well, mine does anyway). From my experience the best lauches are had when stalling anywher between 2K and 2.5K rpm's, depending on track prep. If you want to get the tranny to shift better then hold down the trac button for 10 seconds to disable TCS and ESC. While in this mode (and leaving the tranny in I gear) I've noticed in casual driving that the tranny shifts smoother in the 1-2 and 2-3 shift. SilverIceSS, push your trac button 2x quickly and tell me what your DIC says... it'll say LAUNCH MODE! Now hold that button down for 10 seconds until "ESC OFF" is diplayed and you'll disable most of the nannies. Another way to do it is to get a tune and remove the torque reduction parameters which are what many experience as 'tranny slip'.Later
Allex
Senior Member
Joined: 07-15-2009
Posts: 2,070
From: Waterbury CT
@ Spozo: yes that's what it's called. Abuse management is in the '09s as well, but aside from that I've been tuned to have the torque output reduced (i.e. torque reduction) in 1st and 2nd gear to reduce wheel spin and help save the tranny (Factory settings are 100% torque delivery in all gears BTW!). 
The way abuse management works, if you're on the highway and floor it, the ECU will see if you're trying to "abuse" the tranny and if it deems it so, will cut timing to 'save' the transmission. Sometimes you can feel it as the car will feel 'held back' in a sense until you back off the throttle.
Later
Allex
The way abuse management works, if you're on the highway and floor it, the ECU will see if you're trying to "abuse" the tranny and if it deems it so, will cut timing to 'save' the transmission. Sometimes you can feel it as the car will feel 'held back' in a sense until you back off the throttle.Later
Allex
Senior Member
Joined: 06-20-2011
Posts: 737
From: Savanna Illinois
@Grizzly old man, what is the year and trim level of your HHR?
I am just going to put this out there in hopes that it is close to what you are seeking. I was digging around in the 2009 Chevrolet HHR owner's manual and I see on page 3-52, there is a section that reads about Competitive Mode.
I just thought I would throw that out there, but once I get your model year I will be able to research in more detail.
Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service
I am just going to put this out there in hopes that it is close to what you are seeking. I was digging around in the 2009 Chevrolet HHR owner's manual and I see on page 3-52, there is a section that reads about Competitive Mode.
I just thought I would throw that out there, but once I get your model year I will be able to research in more detail.
Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service
Senior Member
Joined: 04-09-2010
Posts: 192
From: Northern Virginia
To alleviate confusion it will say Launch Mode when you are stopped only. Great fun to point it out to your passenger when coming to a stop.
My tranny will sometimes slip 1st to 2nd when in Comp Mode. Can be quite unnerving.
Asanti, thanks for the launch tips! I am considerng HPtuners to clean up the shifts and add a little more up.
My tranny will sometimes slip 1st to 2nd when in Comp Mode. Can be quite unnerving.
Asanti, thanks for the launch tips! I am considerng HPtuners to clean up the shifts and add a little more up.
Senior Member
Joined: 09-20-2009
Posts: 1,058
From: Hayward, Ca.
My 09 SS is a auto, Trifecta tuned, and so far tranny has'nt slipped in any mode, and under some pretty hard driving.
I tested all the modes under different conditions, and traction control off, launch control on, and ESC on works the best for me.
One thing I caution anyone not to do[unless you want some serious drama] is on a autocross course, or twisties, do not turn ESC off. ESC off is just asking for trouble[with a tune], as it lights the tires hard, pushes the front end, and gets almost uncontrolable in turns. A real handful. Been there-done that! ESC was put there to save your bacon. "Moon"
I tested all the modes under different conditions, and traction control off, launch control on, and ESC on works the best for me.
One thing I caution anyone not to do[unless you want some serious drama] is on a autocross course, or twisties, do not turn ESC off. ESC off is just asking for trouble[with a tune], as it lights the tires hard, pushes the front end, and gets almost uncontrolable in turns. A real handful. Been there-done that! ESC was put there to save your bacon. "Moon"
