2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE traction control

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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The Active Handling System comes on
automatically whenever you start your vehicle.
To help maintain directional control of the vehicle,
you should always leave the system on. You
can turn the system off if you ever need to.
If you turn the Active Handling System off, the
Traction Control System will also be turned off.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
To turn the system off,
press the ACTIVE
HANDLING button
on the console for
ve seconds. You can
turn the system on at
any time by pressing the
button. The DIC will
display the appropriate
message when you
push the button.If the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system detects a
at tire and the Driver Information Center (DIC)
displays TIRE FLAT, or if the TPM system is
malfunctioning and the DIC displays SERVICE
TIRE MONITOR, the Active Handling System will
be affected as follows:
The Active Handling System cannot be turned
off by the driver.
If the Active Handling System is off, it will be
turned on automatically.
Competitive Driving Mode is unavailable.
The Active Handling System will feel different in
aiding and maintaining directional control.
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Competitive Driving Mode
The driver can select this optional handling mode
by pressing the ACTIVE HANDLING button on
the console two times within a ve second
time period. COMPETITIVE DRIVING MODE will
be displayed in the DIC. Competitive Driving
Mode allows the driver to have full control of the
rear wheels while the Active Handling System
helps maintain directional control of the vehicle by
selective brake application. This involves less
intervention than with both the Active Handling
System and Traction Control Systems on.
The instrument cluster light will not be on. The
Traction Control System will not be operating.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
When you press the ACTIVE HANDLING button
again, or turn the ignition to Acc., the Active
Handling and Traction Control Systems will
be on. The TRACTION SYSTEM AND ACTIVE
HANDLING-ON message will be displayed
temporarily in the DIC and a chime will be heard.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.
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.
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Magnetic Speed Variable
Assist Steering
Your vehicle has a steering system that
continuously adjusts the effort you feel when
steering at all vehicle speeds. It provides ease
when parking, yet a rm, solid feel at highway
speeds.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned
on the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of the tires and the road surface, the
angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you are in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to
do their work where the tires meet the road.
Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
much of those places. You can lose control.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 281.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease
up on the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the
way you want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you
should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted
speeds are based on good weather and road
conditions. Under less favorable conditions you will
want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while
the front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive”
through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady
speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of
the curve, and then accelerate gently into
the straightaway.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can
affect your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories
and Modications on page 319.
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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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If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you
want the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly
enough, your vehicle may straighten out. Always
be ready for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow,
ice, gravel, or other material is on the road.
For safety, you will want to slow down and adjust
your driving to these conditions. It is important
to slow down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance will be longer and vehicle
control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by
shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the
surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.
Learn to recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road
to make a mirrored surface — and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
helps avoid only the braking skid.Racing or Other Competitive Driving
See your warranty book before using your
vehicle for racing or other competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for racing or
other competitive driving, the engine may
use more oil than it would with normal
use. Low oil levels can damage the engine.
For information on how to add oil, see
Engine Oil on page 333.
Z06 Only: Be sure to check the oil level often
during racing or other competitive driving
and keep the level at or near the upper mark
that shows the proper operating range on
the engine oil dipstick.
Except Z06: Be sure to check the oil level
often during racing or other competitive driving
and keep the level at or near 1 quart (1 L)
above the upper mark that shows the proper
operating range on the engine oil dipstick.
After the competitive driving, remove excess
oil so that the level on the dipstick is not
above the upper mark that shows the proper
operating range.
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Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a
wet road, you cannot stop, accelerate, or turn as
well because your tire-to-road traction is not as
good as on dry roads. And, if your tires do not have
much tread left, you will get even less traction. It is
always wise to go slower and be cautious if rain
starts to fall while you are driving. The surface may
get wet suddenly when your reexes are tuned for
driving on dry pavement.The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see.
Even if your windshield wiper blades are in good
shape, a heavy rain can make it harder to see
road signs and traffic signals, pavement markings,
the edge of the road, and even people walking.
It is wise to keep your windshield wiping equipment
in good shape and keep your windshield washer
uid reservoir lled with washer uid. Replace
your windshield wiper inserts when they show
signs of streaking or missing areas on the
windshield, or when strips of rubber start to
separate from the inserts.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They
may not work as well in a quick stop and
may cause pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of
water or a car wash, apply the brake pedal
lightly until the brakes work normally.
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