2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ESP

Remember: ABS does not 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 will
not have time to apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down rmly and let anti-lock work for you.
You might hear a motor or clicking noise and
feel the brake pedal move a little during a stop,
but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
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
displays on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
when the TCS system is limiting wheel spin.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 214.
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
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 160.
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The SERVICE
TRACTION SYSTEM
message and the
TCS warning light will
come on to let you know
if there is a problem
with your TCS system.
SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages
on page 214.
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 ACTIVE HANDLING button. The
DIC will display the appropriate message when
you push the button.
Notice:When traction control is turned off,
or Competitive Driving Mode is active, it is
possible to lose traction. If you attempt to shift
with the rear wheels spinning with a loss of
traction, it is possible to cause damage to the
transmission. Do not attempt to shift when
the rear wheels do not have traction. Damage
caused by misuse of the vehicle is not covered.
See your warranty book for additional
information.
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Selective Ride Control
You may have a ride control system on your
vehicle called Magnetic Selective Ride Control.
The system provides the following performance
benets:
Reduced Impact Harshness
Improved Road Isolation
Improved High-Speed Stability
Improved Handling Response
Better Control of Body Ride Motions
This knob 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 “feel”, or response to the 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 Selective Ride
Control system (SERVICE RIDE CONTROL,
SHOCKS INOPERATIVE, MAXIMUM SPEED
80 MPH (129 KM/H). Refer toDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 214for more information.
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.
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So here are some tips for passing:
Drive ahead. Look down the road, to the
sides, and to crossroads for situations
that might affect your passing patterns. If you
have any doubt whatsoever about making
a successful pass, wait for a better time.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings,
and lines. If you can see a sign up ahead
that might indicate a turn or an intersection,
delay your pass. A broken center line
usually indicates it is all right to pass, providing
the road ahead is clear. Never cross a solid
line on your side of the lane or a double
solid line, even if the road seems empty of
approaching traffic.
Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to
pass while you are awaiting an opportunity. For
one thing, following too closely reduces your
area of vision, especially if you are following a
larger vehicle. Also, you will not have adequate
space if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or
stops. Keep back a reasonable distance.
When it looks like a chance to pass is coming
up, start to accelerate but stay in the right lane
and do not get too close. Time your move soyou will be increasing speed as the time comes
to move into the other lane. If the way is clear to
pass, you will have a running start that more
than makes up for the distance you would lose
by dropping back. And if something happens to
cause you to cancel your pass, you need only
slow down and drop back again and wait for
another opportunity.
If other vehicles are lined up to pass a slow
vehicle, wait your turn. But take care that
someone is not trying to pass you as you pull
out to pass the slow vehicle. Remember to
glance over your shoulder and check the
blind spot.
Check your vehicle’s mirrors, glance over your
shoulder, and start your left lane change signal
before moving out of the right lane to pass.
When you are far enough ahead of the passed
vehicle to see its front in your vehicle’s inside
mirror, activate the right lane change signal and
move back into the right lane. Remember that
an outside convex mirror makes the vehicle
you just passed seem farther away from you
than it really is.
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Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time
on two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing
the next vehicle.
Do not overtake a slowly moving vehicle too
rapidly. Even though the brake lamps are not
ashing, it might be slowing down or starting
to turn.
If you are being passed, make it easy for the
following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps
you can ease a little to the right.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough
friction where the tires meet the road to do what the
driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not 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 overdriving those conditions. But skids
are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your
vehicle’s three control systems. In the braking
skid, the wheels are not 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 traction
control system is off, then an acceleration
skid is also best handled by easing your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
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Vehicles with the Z51 performance package
have greaseable outer ends on both of the rear
toe-links. Under normal use, lubrication should
be performed as described in the maintenance
schedule. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 433andRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 443. If you use the vehicle
for racing, lubrication should be performed at the
end of each racing day. See your dealer/retailer
for lubrication and make sure any needed
repairs are made at once. Proper procedures for
performing these services can be found in the
service manual. SeeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 468.Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to
be impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night
vision problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust the inside rearview mirror to reduce
the glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, slow down
and keep more space between you and
other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads.
Your vehicle’s headlamps can light up only so
much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe
place and rest.
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Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, allow some extra
following distance. And be especially
careful when you pass another vehicle.
Allow yourself more clear room ahead,
and be prepared to have your view
restricted by road spray.
Have good tires with proper tread depth.
SeeTires on page 378.
City Driving
One of the biggest problems with city streets is
the amount of traffic on them. You will want
to watch out for what the other drivers are doing
and pay attention to traffic signals.
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You can run the engine to keep warm, but
be careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under
your vehicle. This can cause deadly
CO (carbon monoxide) gas to get inside.
CO could overcome you and kill you.
You cannot see it or smell it, so you
might not know it is in your vehicle.
Clear away snow from around the base
of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking the exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be
sure snow does not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of
the vehicle that is away from the wind.
This will help keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must.
This saves fuel. When you run the engine, make it
go a little faster than just idle. That is, push the
accelerator slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat
that you get and it keeps the battery charged.
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