2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster and Driver Information Center (DIC) are designed to let you know at a glance how
the vehicle is running. You will know how fast you are going, about how much fuel you have left and many
other things you will need to know to drive safely and economically. The instrument panel cluster indicator warning
lights, gages and DIC messages are explained on the following pages.
United States Manual Transmission shown, Canada, Automatic Transmission and Z06 Model similar
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Speedometer and Odometer
Your speedometer lets you see your speed in either
miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h).
For more information see “Personal Options” under
DIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-68.
To read the odometer with the ignition off, turn on the
parking lamps.
You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a
new odometer installed. The mileage total of the new
odometer will be set to the original miles (kilometers) of
the old odometer. See your dealer if the odometer must
be replaced in your vehicle.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine speed in thousands
of revolutions per minute (rpm).
Notice:Fuel will shut off at about 6600 rpm for the
base model and 7100 rpm for the Z06 model. If you
continue to drive your vehicle at the fuel shut off rpm,
you could damage your engine. Be sure to operate
your vehicle below the fuel shut off rpm or reduce
your rpm quickly when the fuel shuts off.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition is turned on, a chime will be provided
for several seconds to remind people to buckle their
safety belts. The driver safety belt light will also be
provided and stay on for several seconds, then it will
ash for several more. You should buckle your seat belt.
If the driver’s belt is
buckled, neither the
chime nor the light will
be provided.
Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows a deployed airbag symbol.
The system checks the airbag’s electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. The system check includes the airbag
modules, the wiring and the diagnostic module.
For more information on the airbag system, seeAirbag
System on page 1-40.
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This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash for
a few seconds. Then the
light should go out. This
means the system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your
airbag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the airbag system
may not be working properly. The airbags in
your vehicle may not inate in a crash, or they
could even inate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few
seconds when you turn the vehicle on. If the light does
not come on then, have it xed so it will be ready to
warn you if there is a problem.
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
Your rearview mirror has a passenger airbag status
indicator.
When the vehicle is started, the passenger airbag status
indicator will light ON and OFF, or the symbol for on and
off, for several seconds as a system check. Then, after
several more seconds, the status indicator will light either
ON or OFF, or either the on or off symbol to let you know
the status of the passenger’s frontal airbag and side
impact airbag (if equipped).
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator – United States
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator – Canada
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Your vehicle 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.
Never put a child in a rear-facing child restraint in the
passenger’s seat the unless passenger airbag status
indicator shows off. Never put a rear facing child
restraint in the passenger’s seat unless the airbags
are off. Here is why:
{CAUTION:
Even though the passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the passenger’s frontal
airbag and side impact airbag (if equipped) if
the system detects a rear-facing child restraint,
no system is fail-safe, and no one can
guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under
some unusual circumstance, even though it is
turned off. We recommend that rear-facing
child restraints be transported in vehicles with
a rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing
child restraint, whenever possible.If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the passenger
airbag status indicator, it means that the passenger’s
frontal airbag and side impact airbag (if equipped)
are enabled (may inate).
{CAUTION:
If the on indicator comes on when you have a
rear-facing child restraint installed in the
passenger’s seat, it means that the passenger
sensing system has not turned off the
passenger’s frontal airbag and side impact
airbag (if equipped). A child in a rear-facing
child restraint can be seriously injured or killed
if the passenger’s airbag inates. This is
because the back of the rear-facing child
restraint would be very close to the inating
airbag. Do not use a rear-facing child restraint in
the passenger’s seat if the airbag is turned on.
If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the passenger
airbag status indicator, it means that the passenger
sensing system has turned off the passenger’s airbags.
SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-48for
more on this, including important safety information.
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If, after several seconds, all status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may be
a problem with the lights or the passenger sensing
system. See your dealer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag off indicator and the airbag
readiness light ever come on together, it means
that something may be wrong with the airbag
system. If this ever happens, have the vehicle
serviced promptly, because an adult-size
person sitting in the right front passenger seat
may not have the protection of the airbag. See
Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-34.
Voltmeter Gage
The voltmeter shows the
voltage output of your
battery. When the engine
is running, it shows
the voltage output of the
charging system.
The reading will change as the rate of charge changes
(with engine speed, for example), but if the voltmeter
reads at 9 volts or below, your instrument panel
cluster and other systems may shut down. The Driver
Information Center (DIC) will read BATTERY VOLTAGE
LOW when your vehicle is at 10 volts or below. Have
it checked right away. Driving with the voltmeter reading
at 10 volts or below could drain your battery and
disable your vehicle.
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One-to-Four Shift Light
(Manual Transmission)
When this light comes on,
you can only shift from
FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4)
instead of FIRST (1) to
SECOND (2).
You must complete the shift into FOURTH (4) to turn off
this feature. This helps you get the best possible fuel
economy.
After shifting to FOURTH (4), you may downshift to a
lower gear if you prefer.
Notice:Forcing the shift lever into any gear except
FOURTH (4) when the 1 TO 4 SHIFT light comes
on may damage the transmission. Shift only from
FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4) when the light comes on.
This light will come on when:
The engine coolant temperature is higher than
169°F (76°C),
you are going 15 to 19 mph (24 to 31 km/h) and
you are 21 percent throttle or less.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
This light should come on when you start the engine.
If it does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If this warning light stays on after you start the engine,
the parking brake may still be set or there could be
a brake problem. Refer toParking Brake on page 2-33
to see if it is set. If the parking brake is not set, have
your brake system inspected right away.
United StatesCanada
3-38

If the light comes on while you are driving and you have
a CHECK BRAKE FLUID message showing on the
DIC, pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice
that the pedal is harder to push or the pedal may go
closer to the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light
is still on, have the vehicle towed for service. See
Towing Your Vehicle on page 4-38andDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-53for more information.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you
have pulled off the road and stopped carefully,
have the vehicle towed for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light will come
on when your engine is
started and may stay on
for several seconds.
That is normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition off. Or, if the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on,
or comes on again while you are driving, your vehicle
needs service. If the regular brake system warning light
is not on, you still have brakes, but you do not have
anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, you do not have anti-lock brakes
and there is a problem with your regular brakes. See
“SERVICE ANTILOCK BRAKES” underDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-53.
The anti-lock brake system warning light will come on
briey when you turn the ignition on. This is normal.
If the light does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
3-39

Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
This light should come on
briey as you start the
engine. If the light does not
come on then, have it xed
so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
If it stays on, or comes on and the DIC shows a SERVICE
TRACTION SYSTEM message when you are driving,
there is a problem with your TCS system and your vehicle
needs service. When this light is on, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly. If the
driver turns off the Traction Control System by pressing
the button on the console, the TCS system light will come
on and the TRACTION SYSTEM OFF message will show
on the DIC. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-53for more information.
Active Handling System Light
The Active Handling System light will come on briey
as you start the engine. If the light does not come
on then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn you if
there is a problem. This light will also come on when
the ACTIVE HANDLING CALIBRATING message
is displayed in the Driver Information Center (DIC).
If the light stays on or
comes on while you are
driving, a chime sounds
and a SERVICE ACTIVE
HANDLING SYSTEM
message appears on the
DIC, there is a problem
with your Active Handling
System and your vehicle
needs service.
The driver can acknowledge this message by pressing
the RESET button. When the SERVICE ACTIVE
HANDLING SYSTEM message is displayed in the DIC,
the Active Handling System will not assist you in
controlling the vehicle. You should have the system
serviced as soon as possible. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
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