2001 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

2-35
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down.
Pull the parking brake lever up. This sets your parking
brake. If the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will come on.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down.
Then push the release button in as you move the parking
brake lever all the way down.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts of your vehicle. Make sure the brake
warning light is not on before driving.

2-36
Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission Only)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle won't move, even
when you're on fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in the
button on the lever and pushing the lever all the way
toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
remove the key from the ignition, the vehicle is
in PARK (P).

2-37 Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission Only)
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold down
the regular brake pedal. See if you can move the shift
lever away from PARK (P) without first pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver's seat. To find out how, see ªShifting Into
PARK (P)º in the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).

2-38
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brake before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in ON. See ªAutomatic Transmission
Operationº in the Index.
As a reminder, you will see a message in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) that will say PRESS BRAKE
BEFORE SHIFT within 15 seconds unless the brake
is pressed.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) and release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and move the shift lever into the gear you wish.If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to ACC.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the engine and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have your vehicle inspected by your dealer as soon
as possible.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transmission Models Only)
Before you get out of your vehicle, move the shift lever
into REVERSE (R) and firmly apply the parking brake.
Once the shift lever has been placed into REVERSE (R)
with the clutch pedal pressed in, you can turn the ignition
key to OFF, remove the key and release the clutch.

2-39
Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.
Engine Exhaust
CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can't see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:

Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.

Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.

Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.

Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over
road debris.

Repairs weren't done correctly.

Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:

Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and

Have your vehicle fixed immediately.

2-40
Running Your Engine While You're
Parked (Automatic Transmission)
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control system
off could allow dangerous exhaust into your
vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaust.º
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
See ªBlizzardº in the Index.
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you've left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Your limited-slip rear axle can give you additional traction
on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a standard
axle most of the time, but when one of the rear wheels has
no traction and the other does, this feature will allow the
wheel with traction to move the vehicle.

2-41
Selective Real Time Damping
(SRTD) (Option)
You may have a ride control system on your vehicle
called Selective Real Time Damping (SRTD). The
system provides the following performance benefits:

Reduced Impact Harshness

Improved Road Isolation

Improved High
-Speed Stability

Improved Handling Response
This switch is located on the center console. Turn it to
select the suspension of your choice.TOUR: Use for normal city and highway driving.
This setting provides a smooth, soft ride.
SPORT: Use where road conditions or personal
preference demand more control. This setting provides
more ªfeel,º or response to the road conditions.
PERF: Use for performance driving. This setting
provides a tight, firm ride and precise response to
road conditions.
You can select a setting at any time. Based on road
conditions, steering wheel angle and your vehicle speed,
the system automatically adjusts to provide the best ride
and handling. Select a new setting whenever driving
conditions change.
There are three Driver Information Center (DIC)
messages that are displayed when a malfunction occurs
with the SRTD system. Refer to ªDIC Warnings and
Messagesº in the Index.
Horn
To sound the horn, press either horn symbol on the
steering wheel.

2-42
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel.
You can also raise it to the highest level to give your
legs more room when you exit and enter the vehicle.
The lever is located on the left side of the steering
column. To tilt the wheel, hold the steering wheel and
pull the lever toward you. Move the steering wheel to a
comfortable level, then release the lever to lock the
steering wheel into place.
Telescopic Steering Wheel (If Equipped)
The telescopic steering wheel switch is located on the
right side of the steering column.
To operate the telescopic
steering wheel, push the
switch forward and the
wheel will move away from
you. Pull the switch
rearward and the wheel will
move toward you.
The telescopic steering wheel position can be stored
with your memory settings. See ªMemoryº in the
Index for more information.