1999 CHEVROLET CORVETTE traction control

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2-105
If the Driver Information Center (DIC) displays the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message and the
CHECK ENGINE light comes on, a noticeable
reduction in the vehicle's performance may occur. If the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is displayed but
there is no reduction in performance, proceed to your
destination. The performance may be reduced the next
time the vehicle is driven.
The vehicle may be driven at a reduced speed while the
REDUCED ENGINE POWER message is displayed,
but acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime the
CHECK ENGINE light stays on, the vehicle should be
taken to an authorized Chevrolet dealer as soon as
possible for diagnosis and repair.
Also, refer to ªMalfunction Indicator Lampº (Check
Engine Light) in the Index. If the REDUCED ENGINE
POWER message is displayed in combination with the
COOLANT OVER TEMP message, see ªEngine
Overheatingº in the Index.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON: If this message appears
on the DIC, there may be an electrical or another system
problem with your vehicle. Have your vehicle checked
by your dealer if this message keeps appearing.CHARGE SYSTEM FAULT: Press RESET to
acknowledge that you have read the message and to
remove it from the display. The message will reappear
every 10 minutes until this condition changes. You will
hear two chimes when this message is displayed.
If this message comes on while you are driving, you
may have a problem with the electrical charging system.
It could indicate that you have a loose or broken drive
belt or another electrical problem. Have it checked
right away. Driving while this light is on could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the message on,
be certain to turn off your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
TRACTION SYS ACTIVE: When your traction
control system is limiting wheel spin, the TRACTION
SYS ACTIVE message will be displayed. Slippery road
conditions may exist if this message is displayed, so
adjust your driving accordingly. The message will stay
on for a few seconds after the traction control system
stops limiting wheel spin.
TRACTION SYSTEM
-ON: This message is displayed
when you decide to turn on the Traction Control System
by pressing the switch on the console. This message will
shut off automatically on its own.

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TRACTION SYSTEM-OFF: You will hear a single
quick tone when this message is displayed. This
message comes on and stays on when the Traction
Control System button on the console is pressed to
turn the system off. To acknowledge this message,
press RESET.
SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM: If the SERVICE
TRACTION SYS message is displayed when you are
driving, there is a problem with your Traction Control
System and your vehicle is in need of service. When this
message is displayed, the system will not limit wheel
spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
If you have the optional Active Handling System, the
SERVICE ACTIVE HNDLG message will also be
displayed and the instrument cluster car icon will also be
illuminated. The driver can acknowledge both messages
by pressing the reset button two times which will also
turn off the instrument cluster icon. When the service
messages are displayed, the computer controlled
systems will not assist the driver in controlling the
vehicle. Have the system repaired as soon as possible.
Adjust your driving accordingly.SERVICE RIDE CONTROL: This message is used
to indicate to the driver that the Selective Real Time
Damping (SRTD) system has detected a malfunction
and that the system must be serviced. The SERVICE
RIDE CONTROL message will always come on when a
failure is detected by the Selective Real Time Damping
(SRTD) system. If a fault is present in the SRTD
which causes the shocks to be in their full soft condition,
the SERVICE RIDE CONTROL, SHOCKS
INOPERATIVE and MAXIMUM 80 MPH (129 km/h)
will display together. You will never get a SHOCKS
INOPERATIVE and MAXIMUM SPEED 80 MPH
(129 km/h) message without a SERVICE RIDE
CONTROL message.
SHOCKS INOPERATIVE: You will hear four chimes
when this message is displayed. To acknowledge that
you have read the message and to remove it from the
display, press RESET. The message will reappear every
10 minutes until this condition changes.
This message indicates that a malfunction is present in
the Selective Real Time Damping (SRTD) system which
is causing the shocks to be in their full soft mode.
This is a warning to the driver that the vehicle handling
may be affected. Have your vehicle serviced as soon
as possible.

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4-9
Remember: Anti-lock doesn't change the time you need
to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you won't have time to apply your brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have
anti
-lock brakes.
Using Anti
-Lock
Don't pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down
firmly and let anti
-lock work for you. You may hear a
motor or clicking noise and feel the brake pedal move a
little during a stop, but this is normal.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a traction control system called TCS
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. The system operates only if it
senses that the rear wheels are spinning too much or are
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system works the rear brakes and reduces engine power
(by closing the throttle and managing engine spark) to
limit wheel spin.The TRACTION SYSTEM ACTIVE message will
come on when the TCS system is limiting wheel spin.
See ªTRACTION SYSTEM ACTIVE Messageº in the
Index. You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the TCS system
begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will
automatically disengage. When road conditions allow
you to safely use it again, you may re
-engage the cruise
control. (See ªCruise Controlº in the Index.)
The SERVICE TRACTION
SYSTEM message and the
TCS warning light will
come on to let you know if
there's a problem with your
TCS system. See
ªSERVICE TRACTION
SYSTEM Messageº in
the Index.

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4-10
When this light and the SERVICE TRACTION
SYSTEM message are on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The TCS system automatically comes on whenever you
start your vehicle. To limit wheel spin, especially in
slippery road conditions, you should always leave the
system on. But you can turn the TCS system off if you
ever need to.
To turn the system off, press
the button located on the
console. You can turn the
system ON or OFF at any
time by pressing the TCS
switch. The DIC will
display the appropriate
message when you push
the button.
Active Handling System (Option)
The optional Active Handling System is a computer
controlled system that helps the driver maintain
directional control of the vehicle in difficult driving
conditions. This is accomplished by selectively applying
any one of the vehicle's brakes.
When you first start your vehicle and begin to drive
away (6 mph (10 km/h)), the message ACT HNDLG
WARMING UP may be displayed in the DIC, the
instrument cluster light will be on, and a chime will
sound. This is normal. You can acknowledge this
message by pressing the RESET button. The Active
Handling System performance is affected until the
message, WARM UP COMPLETE, is displayed in
the DIC.
The ACTIVE HANDLING message will come on when
the system is operating. See ªDriver Information Center
Messagesº in the Index for more information. You may
also feel or hear the system working. This is normal.

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The SERVICE ACTIVE
HNDLG message will be
displayed, the instrument
cluster light will come on,
and a chime will sound to
let you know if there is a
problem with the system.
See ªDriver Information
Center Messagesº in the
Index for more information.
When this light and the SERVICE ACTIVE HNDLG
message are on, the system is not operational. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
The Active Handling System comes on automatically
whenever you start your car. To help maintain
directional control of the vehicle, you should always
leave the system on. You can turn the system off if you
ever need to. If you turn the Active Handling System
off, the Traction Control System will also be turned off.
Adjust your driving accordingly.To turn the system off, press
the ACTIVE HANDLING
button on the console. You
can turn the system on and
off at any time by pressing
the button. The DIC will
display the appropriate
message when you push
the button.
Competitive Driving
The driver can select an optional handling mode by
depressing the ACTIVE HANDLING button on the
console for more than five seconds, while the vehicle is
stopped with the ignition on. Competitive Driving mode
allows the driver to have full control of the rear wheels
while the Active Handling System helps steer the
vehicle by selective brake application. The instrument
cluster light will not be on. The Traction Control System
will not be operating. Adjust your driving accordingly.
When you press the ACTIVE HANDLING button on the
console again or turn the ignition to ACC, the Active
Handling and the Traction Control Systems will be on.
The message TRAC/ACT HNDLG ON will be displayed
temporarily in the DIC and a chime will be heard.

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4-12 Braking in Emergencies
With anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you more
than even the very best braking.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system is not functioning, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
Magnasteer

Your vehicle is equipped with GM Magnasteer, a
steering system that continuously adjusts the effort you
feel when steering at all vehicle speeds. It provides ease
when parking yet a firm, solid feel at highway speeds.
Steering Tips
Driving on Curves
It's important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the ªdriver lost controlº accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here's why:Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The
traction of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels. If there's no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you've ever
tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you'll understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle
at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While
you're in a curve, speed is the one factor you
can control.
Suppose you're steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems
-- steering and acceleration -- have to do
their work where the tires meet the road. Adding the
sudden acceleration can demand too much of those
places. You can lose control. Refer to ªTraction
Control Systemº in the Index.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease up on the
accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want it
to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should
adjust your speed. Of course, the posted speeds are
based on good weather and road conditions. Under less
favorable conditions you'll want to go slower.

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Loss of Control
Let's review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering
and acceleration) don't have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don't give up. Keep trying to
steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not
ªoverdrivingº those conditions. But skids are
always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle's
three control systems. In the braking skid, your wheels
aren't rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too
much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid is best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid
only the acceleration skid.If your TCS system is off, then an acceleration skid
is also best handled by easing your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the
vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your
vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel or other material is on the road. For safety, you'll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower
gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery until your
vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues
-- such as enough water, ice or packed snow on
the road to make a ªmirrored surfaceº
-- and slow
down when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti
-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.

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4-27 Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and
the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You'll
have a lot less traction or ªgripº and will need to be
very careful.
What's the worst time for this? ªWet ice.º Very cold
snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet
ice can be even more trouble because it may offer the
least traction of all. You can get wet ice when it's about
freezing (32
F; 0
C) and freezing rain begins to fall.
Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews
can get there.
Whatever the condition
-- smooth ice, packed, blowing
or loose snow
-- drive with caution.
Keep your traction control system on. It improves your
ability to accelerate when driving on a slippery road.
Even though your vehicle has the TCS system, you'll
want to slow down and adjust your driving to the road
conditions. See ªTraction Control Systemº in the Index.