2008 CHEVROLET CORVETTE warning

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.
3-37

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 2-32
to see if it is set. If the parking brake is not set, have
your brake system inspected right away.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 4-29andDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-57for 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. United States
Canada
3-41

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with the
Antilock Brake System
(ABS), this light comes on
briey when the engine
is started.
That 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.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the light
comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light is
not on, the vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, the vehicle does not have antilock brakes and
there is a problem with the regular brakes. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 3-41.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-57for all
brake related DIC messages.
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 Driver Information
Center (DIC) shows a SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM
message when you are driving, there is a problem
with your Traction Control System (TCS) 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 TCS by pressing the button
on the console, the TCS light will come on and the
TRACTION SYSTEM OFF message will show on the
DIC. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-57
for more information.
3-42

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

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves into the shaded area,
your engine is too hot.
This means that your engine coolant has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions, you should pull off the road,
stop your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon
as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-31for more
information.
Tire Pressure Light
This light comes on briey
when the engine is started.
This light also comes on when one or more of the tires
are signicantly underinated.
A tire pressure message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), can accompany the light. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-57for more
information.
Stop and check the tires as soon as it is safe to do so.
If underinated, inate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 5-58for more information.
If a problem is detected with the Tire Pressure Monitor
System, this light ashes for approximately 60 seconds
and then stays on for the remainder of the ignition
cycle. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-68
for more information. United States
Canada
3-44

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

FUEL Button
The fuel button displays average fuel economy and
instantaneous fuel economy, calculated for your specic
driving conditions, and range information.
Average Fuel Economy:The average fuel economy is
viewed as a long-term approximation of your overall
driving conditions. You should reset the average
fuel economy display every time you refuel. If you press
the RESET button in this mode while you are driving,
the system will reset this display and begin guring fuel
economy from that point in time.
Press the fuel button to display average fuel economy,
such as:
AVERAGE FUEL ECONOMY 20.1 MPG or
AVERAGE FUEL ECONOMY 11.7 L/100 km
Instantaneous Fuel Economy:Instantaneous fuel
economy reects only the fuel economy that the vehicle
has right now and will change frequently as driving
conditions change. Unlike average fuel economy, this
menu item cannot be reset.
Press the fuel button again to display instantaneous
fuel economy, such as:
INSTANT FUEL ECONOMY 20.1 MPG or
INSTANT FUEL ECONOMY 11.7 L/100 kmFuel Range:The range calculates the remaining
distance you can drive without refueling. It is based on
fuel economy and the fuel remaining in the tank.
Press the fuel button again to display the range,
such as:
RANGE 30 MI or
RANGE 48 km
If the LOW FUEL warning is displayed or if RANGE
is less than 40 miles (64 km), the display will read
RANGE LOW.
The fuel economy data used to determine fuel range is
an average of recent driving conditions. As your
driving conditions change, this data is gradually updated
automatically.
If the vehicle has been idling for a long time, the range
displayed on the DIC could be abnormally low.
The vehicle must be driven 5-10 miles (8-16 km) to
get an accurate reading.
3-53

Remember, you must reset the engine oil life system
yourself after each oil change. It will not reset itself.
To reset the system, seeEngine Oil Life System
on page 5-23. Be careful not to reset the engine oil life
system accidentally at any time other than when the
oil has just been changed. It cannot be reset accurately
until the next oil change.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4andEngine
Oil on page 5-17for more information.
OPTION Button
The OPTION button allows you to access the
PERSONAL OPTIONS menu and customize the
personalization settings on your vehicle. SeeDIC
Vehicle Personalization on page 3-75for more
information.
RESET Button
The RESET button, used along with other buttons, will
reset system functions and turn off or acknowledge
messages on the DIC.
DIC Warnings and Messages
Messages are displayed on the DIC to notify the driver
that the status of the vehicle has changed and that
some action may be needed by the driver to correct the
condition. Multiple messages may appear one after
another. You can scroll through the messages that
may have been sent at the same time. The DIC is
continuously updated with the vehicle performance
status.
Some messages may not require immediate action,
but you can press the RESET button to acknowledge
that you received the messages and to clear them from
the display.
Some messages cannot be cleared from the DIC
display because they are more urgent. These messages
require action before they can be cleared. You should
take any messages that appear on the display seriously
and remember that clearing the messages will only
make the messages disappear, not correct the problem.
The following are the possible messages that can be
displayed and some information about them.
3-57