2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE sensor

Whether your frontal airbags will or should deploy is not
based on how fast your vehicle is traveling. It depends
largely on what you hit, the direction of the impact and
how quickly your vehicle slows down.
In addition, your vehicle has “dual-stage” frontal airbags,
which adjust the restraint according to crash severity.
Your vehicle is equipped with electronic frontal sensors
which help the sensing system distinguish between a
moderate frontal impact and a more severe frontal
impact. For moderate frontal impacts, these airbags
inate at a level less than full deployment. For more
severe frontal impacts, full deployment occurs. If the
front of your vehicle goes straight into a wall
that does not move or deform, the threshold level for
the reduced deployment is about 10 to 12 mph
(16 to 19.3 km/h), and the threshold level for a full
deployment is about 18 to 21 mph (28.9 to 33.8 km/h).
The threshold level can vary, however, with specic
vehicle design, so that it can be somewhat above or
below this range.
Frontal airbags may inate at different crash speeds.
For example:
If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the airbags
could inate at a different crash speed than if the
vehicle hits a moving object.
If the vehicle hits an object that deforms, the
airbags could inate at a different crash speed than
if the vehicle hits an object that does not deform.
If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a pole) the
airbags could inate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle hits a wide object (like a wall).
If the vehicle goes into an object at an angle the
airbags could inate at a different crash speed
than if the vehicle goes straight into the object.
The frontal airbags (driver and passenger) are not
intended to inate during vehicle rollovers, rear impacts,
or in many side impacts.
Your vehicle may or may not have side impact airbags.
SeeAirbag System on page 1-40for more information.
Side impact airbags are intended to inate in moderate to
severe side crashes. A side impact airbag will inate if the
crash severity is above the system’s designed “threshold
level.” The threshold level can vary with specic vehicle
design. Side impact airbags are not intended to inate in
frontal or near-frontal impacts, rollovers or rear impacts. A
side impact airbag is intended to deploy on the side of the
vehicle that is struck.
In any particular crash, no one can say whether an airbag
should have inated simply because of the damage to a
vehicle or because of what the repair costs were. For
frontal airbags, ination is determined by what the vehicle
hits, the angle of the impact, and how quickly the vehicle
slows down in frontal and near-frontal impacts. For side
impact airbags, ination is determined by the location and
severity of the impact.
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Passenger Sensing System
Your vehicle has a passenger sensing system. The
passenger airbag status indicator in the rearview mirror
will be visible when you start the vehicle. The words
ON and OFF or the symbol for on and off, will be visible
during the system check. When the system check is
complete, either the word ON or the word OFF, or the
symbol for on or the symbol for off will be visible. See
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-35.The passenger sensing system will turn off the
passenger’s frontal airbag and side impact airbag
(if equipped) under certain conditions. The driver’s
airbags are not part of the passenger sensing system.
The passenger sensing system works with sensors
that are part of the passenger’s seat and safety belt.
The sensors are designed to detect the presence
of a properly seated occupant and determine if the
passenger’s frontal airbag and side impact airbag
(if equipped) should be enabled (may inate) or not.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat.
We recommend that child restraints be secured in a
rear seat, including an infant riding in a rear-facing infant
seat, a child riding in a forward-facing child seat and an
older child riding in a booster seat.
You may have a label on your sun visor that says,
“Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This
is because the risk to the rear-facing child is so great
if the airbag deploys. Passenger Airbag Status Indicator – United States
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator−Canada
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Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front or
sides of the vehicle that could keep the
airbags from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s
frame, bumper system, height, front end or side
sheet metal, they may keep the airbag system
from working properly. Also, the airbag system may
not work properly if you relocate any of the airbag
sensors. If you have any questions about this,
you should contact Customer Assistance before
you modify your vehicle. The phone numbers
and addresses for Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure
in this manual. SeeCustomer Satisfaction
Procedure on page 7-2.
Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get my
vehicle modied. How can I nd out whether
this will affect my advanced airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the front seats,
safety belts, the airbag sensing and diagnostic
module, steering wheel, instrument panel, the inside
review mirror, or airbag wiring can affect the
operation of the airbag system. If you have
questions, call Customer Assistance. The phone
numbers and addresses for Customer Assistance
are in Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure in this manual. SeeCustomer Satisfaction
Procedure on page 7-2.
1-53

Doors and Locks
Door Locks
{CAUTION:
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers — especially children — can
easily open the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door is locked it
will not open. You increase the chance of
being thrown out of the vehicle in a crash
if the doors are not locked. So, wear safety
belts properly and lock the doors
whenever you drive.
Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by extreme heat and can
suffer permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Always lock your vehicle
whenever you leave it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down or
stop your vehicle. Locking your doors can
help prevent this from happening.There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside, press the lock or unlock button on
the keyless access transmitter.
When you have the transmitter with you, you may also
unlock and open the door by squeezing the door
handle sensor (A). You do not have to press the unlock
button on the transmitter. You will be able to open
the door when you press the door handle sensor and
the vehicle recognizes your keyless access transmitter.
When the passenger door is opened rst, the driver’s
door will also unlock.Door Open to Show Location of Door Handle Sensor
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Arming the System
Use one of the three following items listed here to arm
the system:
Press the lock button on the keyless access
transmitter.
Open the door. Lock the door with the power door
lock switch. The security light should ash.
Remove the keyless access transmitter from inside
the vehicle and close the door. The security light
will stop ashing and stay on. After 30 seconds, the
light should turn off.
The vehicle can be programmed to automatically
lock the doors and arm the theft-deterrent system
when you exit the vehicle. SeeDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 3-68.
Now, if a door or the hatch/trunk is opened without
the keyless access transmitter, the alarm will go
off. Your horn will sound for two minutes, then it will go
off to save battery power. Your vehicle will not start
without a keyless access transmitter present.
The theft-deterrent system will not arm if you lock the
driver’s door with the power door lock switch after
the doors are closed.
If your passenger stays in the vehicle when you leave
with the keyless access transmitter, have the passenger
lock the vehicle after the doors are closed. This way the
alarm will not arm, and your passenger will not set it off.
Testing the Alarm
Do the following to test the system:
1. Make sure the trunk lid/hatch is latched.
2. Lower the window on the driver’s door.
3. Manually arm the system.
4. Close the doors and wait 30 seconds.
5. Reach through the open window and manually pull
the release lever on the oor.
6. Turn off the alarm by pressing the unlock button on
the transmitter.
If the alarm is inoperative, check to see if the horn
works. If not, check the horn fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-93. If the horn works, but the
alarm doesn’t go off, see your dealer.
Disarming the System
Always use your keyless access transmitter to unlock
a door either by pressing the unlock button on the
transmitter or by squeezing the door handle sensor while
you have the transmitter with you. Unlocking a door
any other way will set off the alarm. If your alarm
sounds, press the unlock button on the keyless access
transmitter to disarm it.
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Twilight Sentinel®
Twilight Sentinel®can turn your lamps on and off for you.
A light sensor on top of the instrument panel makes the
Twilight Sentinel
®work, so be sure it is not covered.
With Twilight Sentinel
®, you will see the following
happen:
When it is dark enough outside, the front turn signal
lamps (DRL) will go off, and the headlamps and
parking lamps will come on. The other lamps
that come on with headlamps will also come on.
When it is bright enough outside, the headlamps
will go off, and the front turn signal lamps (DRL)
will come on, as long as the exterior lamp switch is
in the AUTO position.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system will come on immediately. Once
you leave the garage, it will take about one minute for
the automatic headlamp system to change to DRL if it is
light outside. During that delay, your instrument panel
cluster may not be as bright as usual. Make sure
your instrument panel brightness control is in full bright
position. SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on
page 3-19.You can idle the vehicle with the lamps off, even when
it is dark outside.
After starting the vehicle, turn the exterior lamp control
band on the multifunction lever to off and then
release it. The lamps will remain off until you turn the
control band to off again.
Twilight Sentinel
®also provides exterior illumination as
you leave the vehicle. If Twilight Sentinel®has turned
on the lamps when you turn off the ignition, your lamps
will remain on until:
The exterior lamp switch is moved from off to the
parking lamp position, or
a delay time that you select has elapsed.
See “Personal Options” underDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 3-68to select the delay time
that you want. You can also select no delay time.
If you turn off the ignition with the exterior lamp switch
in the parking lamp or headlamp position, the Twilight
Sentinel
®delay will not occur. The lamps will turn off as
soon as the switch is turned off.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
3-18

Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):Press the AUTO button to
place the entire system in the automatic mode.
When automatic operation is active, the system will
automatically control the inside temperature, the
air delivery mode and the fan speed.
After a ten second display of the current settings,
the word AUTO, the driver’s temperature setting and
the outside temperature will be shown. The system will
operate to achieve your comfort set temperature as
quickly as possible. The AUTO control system works
best with the windows up and the removable roof
installed or the convertible top up.
1. Press the AUTO button.
2. Adjust the temperature to a comfortable setting
between 60°F (16°C) and 90°F (32°C). Choosing
the coldest or warmest temperature setting will
not cause the system to heat or cool any faster.
A setting of 73°F (23°C) is suggested.
In cold weather, the system will start at reduced fan
speeds to avoid blowing cold air into your vehicle
until warmer air is available. The system will
start out blowing air at the oor but may change
modes automatically as the vehicle warms up
to maintain the chosen temperature setting. The
length of time needed for warm up will depend on
the outside temperature and the length of time
that has elapsed since your vehicle was last driven.3. Wait for the system to regulate. This may take from
10 to 30 minutes. Then adjust the temperature, if
necessary.
Do not cover the solar sensor located in the center of
the instrument panel, near the windshield. For more
information on the solar sensor, see “Sensor” later in
this section.
Manual Operation
Driver Power/Temperature:Press the driver
temperature knob on the driver side of the climate
control panel to turn the climate control system off.
This is the only setting that completely shuts off the
fan. The digital display will show only the outside
temperature. You can still adjust the driver and the
passenger set temperature and the air intake mode
when the climate control is off.
Passenger Power/Temperature:Press the passenger
temperature knob on the passenger side of the
climate control panel to turn the passenger’s climate
control system on or off. Turn the knob to increase
or decrease the temperature for the passenger. If the
passenger’s climate control system is off, the driver’s
temperature knob will control the temperature for
the entire vehicle.
3-26

Air conditioning does not operate at temperatures below
about 35°F to 40°F (2°C to 4°C). In temperatures
above 40°F (4°C), the air conditioning cannot be turned
off in defrost and defog, as it helps to remove moisture
from the vehicle. It also helps to keep the windows clear.
You may notice a slight change in engine performance
when the air-conditioning compressor shuts off and
turns on again. This is normal. The system is designed
to make adjustments to help with fuel economy while
still maintaining the selected temperature.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days press the AUTO button
and adjust the temperature to a cool, comfortable setting.
To achieve maximum cool down, do the following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select recirculation mode.
3. Select the A/C on.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
5. Select the highest fan speed.Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air in
your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation mode off.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from
the air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount of
water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling or
after turning off the engine. This is normal.
Sensors
The solar sensor on your vehicle monitors the solar
radiation and uses the information to maintain the
selected temperature when operating in AUTO mode by
initiating needed adjustments to the temperature, the
fan speed and the air delivery system. The system may
also supply cooler air to the side of the vehicle facing
the sun. The recirculation mode will also be activated, as
necessary. Do not cover the solar sensor located on
the top of the instrument panel near the windshield
or the system will not work properly.
There is also a sensor located behind the front bumper.
This sensor reads the outside air temperature and
helps to maintain the temperature inside the vehicle.
Any cover on the front of the vehicle could give a false
reading in the temperature.
3-28