2008 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

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.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3for more information.Active Handling System
The Active Handling System is a computer controlled
system that helps the driver maintain directional control
of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions. This is
accomplished by selectively applying any one of the
vehicle’s brakes.
When you rst start your vehicle during cold winter
weather and begin to drive away, the message ACTIVE
HANDLING WARMING UP may be displayed in the
DIC. This is normal. You can acknowledge this message
by pressing the RESET button. The Active Handling
System performance is affected until the message,
ACTIVE HANDLING READY, is displayed in the DIC.
The ACTIVE HANDLING CALIBRATING message may
be displayed in the DIC and the instrument panel
cluster light will be on after exceeding 18 mph (30 km/h)
for 10 seconds. The Active Handling System is off
until the ACTIVE HANDLING READY message
is displayed. This could take up to 15 minutes.
The ACTIVE HANDLING message will come on when
the system is operating. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-57for more information. You may
also feel or hear the system working. This is normal.
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The SERVICE ACTIVE
HANDLING SYSTEM
message will be displayed,
the instrument cluster
light will come on, and a
chime will sound to let
you know if there is a
problem with the system.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-57for
more information.
When this light and the SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING
SYSTEM message are on, the system is not
operational. Adjust your driving accordingly.
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.
4-8

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 press the Acc. button, 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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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.
Three Driver Information Center (DIC) messages
(SERVICE RIDE CONTROL, SHOCKS INOPERATIVE
and MAXIMUM SPEED 80 MPH (129 KM/H) display
when a malfunction occurs with the Selective Ride
Control system. Refer toDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-57for more information.
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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.
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.Traction 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 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 4-6.
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 speed when approaching a curve,
do it before you enter the curve, while the front wheels
are straight ahead.
Try to adjust the 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
Modifications on page 5-3.
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Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and nd
a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls out
from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked
cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these
problems by braking — if you can stop in time. But
sometimes you cannot; there is not room. That is the time
for evasive action — steering around the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies like
these. First apply the brakes. SeeBraking on page 4-4.
It is better to remove as much speed as you can from a
possible collision. Then steer around the problem, to the
left or right depending on the space available.
An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you
can turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without
removing either hand. But you have to act fast, steer
quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel
once you have avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving
at all times and wear safety belts properly.
4-12

Off-Road Recovery
Your vehicle’s right wheels can drop off the edge of a
road onto the shoulder while driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the
pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the
accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer
so that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement.
Turn the steering wheel up to one-quarter turn until the
right front tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn the
steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Passing
Passing another vehicle on a two-lane road can be
dangerous. To reduce the risk of danger while passing:
Look down the road, to the sides, and to crossroads
for situations that might affect a successful pass.
If in doubt, wait.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and
lines that could indicate a turn or an intersection.
Never cross a solid or double-solid line on your side
of the lane.
Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to
pass. Doing so can reduce your visibility.
Wait your turn to pass a slow vehicle.
When you are being passed, ease 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.
4-13

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.
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 Antilock Brake System (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
4-14