2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors. You
can also swing them to the side.
Lighted Visor Vanity Mirrors
Pull down the sun visor and lift the cover to expose the
lighted vanity mirror. When the cover is lifted, the
lamps will come on automatically, even if the ignition
is off.
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal.
Theft-Deterrent System
Your vehicle is equipped with a theft-deterrent alarm
system.
With this system, the
security light will ash when
the door is open and locked
with the power door lock
switch.
If this light is on continuously while the engine is
running, your vehicle needs service.
2-19

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.
2-20

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or
slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake, or slow, the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new brake
linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops with
new linings can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake linings.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
Front Air Dam
Your vehicle is equipped with a front air dam which has
minimal ground clearance.
Under normal operation, the air dam will occasionally
contact some road surfaces (speed bumps, driveway
ramps, etc.). This can be heard inside the vehicle as a
scraping noise. This is normal and does not indicate
a problem.
Use care when approaching bumps or objects on road
surfaces and avoid them when possible.
2-21

Ignition Positions
Your vehicle has an
electronic keyless ignition
with a pushbutton start.
/(START):Press this button while your foot is on the
brake for an automatic transmission, or while pressing
in the clutch for a manual transmission, to start the
engine. If your vehicle is in OFF or Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) mode, the keyless access transmitter
must be inside the vehicle to start the engine.
9ACC (OFF/ACCESSORY):When the engine is
on or the vehicle is in accessory power mode, it
is recommended that a manual transmission be placed
in REVERSE (R). An automatic transmission must
be placed in PARK (P). Then press the ACC button to
turn the engine off and place the vehicle in RAP.
See “Retained Accessory Power (RAP)” later for more
information. If an automatic vehicle is not correctly
placed in PARK (P) a SHIFT TO PARK message will
display on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
For more information, seeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-53.
When the engine is off, press this button to place the
vehicle in accessory mode. ACCESSORY MODE
ON will display on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
This mode allows you to use things like the radio
and the windshield wipers while the engine is off. Use
accessory mode if you must have your vehicle in motion
while the engine is off, for example, if your vehicle is
being pushed or towed.
After being in accessory mode for about 20 minutes, the
vehicle will automatically enter RAP or OFF, depending
on if the doors are opened or closed.
2-22

Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
With RAP, your power windows and the audio system
will continue to work for up to 10 minutes after the
engine is turned off or until either door is opened. If a
door is opened, the power windows and audio system
will shut off.
Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) for
an automatic transmission. For a manual transmission
the vehicle can be started in NEUTRAL or any other
gear as long as the clutch is depressed. To restart
a manual when you are already moving, use the
NEUTRAL position only. To restart an automatic when
you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N).
The keyless access transmitter must be inside the
vehicle for the ignition to work.
Cell phone chargers may interfere with the operation of
the Keyless Access System. Battery chargers should
not be plugged in when starting or turning off the engine.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.To start you vehicle, do the following:
1. For an automatic transmission, with your foot on the
brake pedal, press the START button located on the
instrument panel. For a manual transmission, while
pressing in the clutch, press the START button.
If there is not a keyless access transmitter in the
vehicle or if there is something causing interference
with it, the DIC will display NO FOB DETECTED.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-53for
more information.
2. When the engine begins cranking, let go of the
button. The idle speed will decrease as your
engine gets warm.
If the battery in the keyless access transmitter
is weak, the DIC will display FOB BATTERY LOW.
You can still drive the vehicle. See “Battery
Replacement” underKeyless Access System
Operation on page 2-5for more information.
3. If the engine does not start and no DIC message is
displayed, wait 15 seconds before trying again.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty.
2-23

Stopping Your Engine
If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, move the
shift lever to PARK (P) and press the ACC button
located on the instrument panel. If the shifter is not in
PARK (P), the vehicle will go into accessory mode
and the DIC will display SHIFT TO PARK. Once the
shifter is moved to PARK (P), the vehicle will turn off.
If your vehicle has a manual transmission, move the shift
lever to REVERSE (R).
If the keyless access transmitter is not detected inside
the vehicle when it is turned to off, the DIC will
display NO FOB – OFF OR RUN?.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-53for
more information.
Engine Coolant Heater
Your vehicle may be equipped with an engine coolant
heater.
In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You will get easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
At temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant
heater is not required. Your vehicle may also have
an internal thermostat in the plug end of the cord. This
will prevent operation of the engine coolant heater
when the temperature is at or above 0°F (−18°C) as
noted on the cord.
2-24

To Use The Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The electrical cord is located on the driver’s side
of the engine compartment, in front of the coolant
surge tank.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will
not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you do not it could be
damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you will be parking
your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice
for that particular area.
2-25

Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different
positions for your shift
lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your rear wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle cannot move easily.{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transmission)
on page 2-33.
Be sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before
starting the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system.
2-26