2008 CHEVROLET CORVETTE instrument cluster

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
3-35

Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel cluster, which shows the airbag symbol. The
system checks the airbag’s electrical system for
malfunctions. The light indicates if there is an electrical
problem. The system check includes the airbag
sensor, the pretensioners, the airbag modules, the
wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the airbag system, seeAirbag
System on page 1-43.
This light comes on when
the vehicle is started,
and ashes for a
few seconds. The light
should go out when
the system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after the vehicle is
started or comes on while driving, the 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.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few seconds
when the engine is started. If the light does not come on
then, have it xed immediately. If there is a problem with
the airbag system, an airbag Driver Information Center
(DIC) message may also come on. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-57for more information.
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{CAUTION:
Even though the passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag and seat-mounted 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 secured in a rear seat, even if the airbag is
or airbags are off.
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 right front passenger
frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag
(if equipped). SeePassenger Sensing System on
page 1-51for more on this, including important safety
information.If, after several seconds, both 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/retailer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument
panel cluster ever comes on and stays on, 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’s seat may not have the protection
of the airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 3-37for more on this, including
important safety information.
3-39

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.
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),
the vehicle is going 15 to 19 mph (24 to 31 km/h) and
the vehicle 21 percent throttle or less.
3-40

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.When the system is working, you will see the
ACTIVE HANDLING message displayed in the DIC.
You may also feel or hear the system working.
This is normal.
If the driver turns off the Active Handling System by
pressing the button on the console for ve seconds,
the Active Handling System light will come on,
a chime will sound, and the TRACTION SYSTEM AND
ACTIVE HANDLING – OFF message will be displayed
in the DIC. The Traction Control System will also
be turned off. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-57for more information.
If the Active Handling System and the Traction Control
System are off, pressing the console button momentarily
will turn both systems on. The DIC will display the
TRACTION SYSTEM AND ACTIVE HANDLING – ON
message, the instrument cluster light will be off, and
a chime will sound. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-57for more information.
3-43

Here are ve things that some owners ask about.
All these things are normal and do not indicate that
anything is wrong with the fuel gage.
At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before
the gage reads the full symbol.
It takes more (or less) fuel to ll up than the gage
reads. For example, the gage reads half full,
but it took more (or less) than half of the tank’s
capacity to t it.
The gage pointer may move while cornering,
braking or speeding up.
The gage may not indicate the tank is empty when
the ignition is turned off.
The gage reading may change slightly within the
rst several minutes after starting the vehicle.
SeeDIC Operation and Displays on page 3-52for more
information.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) gives you the
status of many of your vehicle’s systems. It is also
used to display driver personalization features and
warning/status messages. The DIC display is located on
the instrument panel cluster below the speedometer
and tachometer, directly above the steering column.
The DIC buttons are located on the instrument panel,
to the right of the instrument panel cluster.
The DIC comes on when the ignition is turned on. After
displaying CORVETTE BY CHEVROLET, the DIC
will display the current driver and the information that
was last displayed before the engine was turned off.
If a problem is detected, a warning message will appear
on the DIC display. Be sure to take any message that
appears on the display seriously and remember that
clearing the message will only make the message
disappear, not correct the problem.
If your vehicle has the Head-Up Display (HUD) and you
use the Manual Paddle Shift feature, the gear will
display in the HUD, except if your vehicle has the
Navigation system and the HUD is displaying
turn-by-turn guidance information. If the HUD is
displaying turn-by-turn guidance information, the gear
instead displays in the DIC. See “Manual Paddle
Shift” underAutomatic Transmission Operation on
page 2-26and “Head-Up Display (HUD)” in the index of
the Navigation system manual for more information.
3-51

DIC Operation and Displays
The Driver Information Center (DIC) has different modes
which can be accessed by pressing the following
buttons located on the instrument panel, to the right of
the instrument panel cluster.
.4(Fuel):Press this button to display fuel information
such as fuel economy and range.
2(Gages):Press this button to display gage
information like oil pressure and temperature, coolant
temperature, automatic transmission uid temperature, if
equipped, battery voltage, and front/rear tire pressures.
TRIP:Press this button to display your total and
trip distance driven, the elapsed time function, your
average speed, and the engine oil life.
OPTION:Press this button to choose personal options
that are available on your vehicle, depending on the
options your vehicle is equipped with, such as door
locks, easy entry seats, and language.
RESET:Press this button, used along with the other
buttons, to reset system functions, select personal
options, and turn off or acknowledge messages
on the DIC.
3-52

ABS (Antilock Brake System) ACTIVE
This message displays when the Antilock Brake System
(ABS) is adjusting brake pressure to help avoid a
braking skid.
Slippery road conditions may exist if this message is
displayed, so adjust your driving accordingly. The
message stays on for a few seconds after the system
stops adjusting brake pressure. SeeAntilock Brake
System (ABS) on page 4-5for more information.
ACTIVE HANDLING
This message displays when the Active Handling
System is operating. The Active Handling System is a
computer controlled system that assists the driver
in controlling the vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
You may feel or hear the system working and see
the ACTIVE HANDLING message displayed in the DIC.
This message stays on for a few seconds following
the active handling event. This is normal when the
system is operating. SeeActive Handling System on
page 4-7andBraking on page 4-4.
ACTIVE HANDLING CALIBRATING
This message displays and the active handling system
light on the instrument panel cluster turns on while the
system is calibrating after exceeding 19 mph (30 km/h)
for 10 seconds. SeeActive Handling System Light on
page 3-43. The Active Handling System is not functional
yet. The Active Handling System performance is affected
until the next message ACTIVE HANDLING READY is
displayed. The Active Handling System is off until the
ACTIVE HANDLING READY message is displayed.
SeeActive Handling System on page 4-7for more
information.
ACTIVE HANDLING READY
This message displays when the functional check of
the Active Handling System has been completed.
SeeActive Handling System on page 4-7for more
information.
ACTIVE HANDLING WARMING UP
This message may display when you rst start your
vehicle during cold winter weather, and begin to
drive away, up to 6 mph (10 km/h). This is normal.
3-58