2009 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be used for up to
10 minutes after the engine is turned off:
Audio System
Power Windows
These features continue to work up to 10 minutes after
the engine is turned off or until either door is opened.
If a door is opened, the power windows and audio
system will shut off.
Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral) for an
automatic transmission. For a manual transmission the
vehicle can be started in Neutral or any other gear as
long as the clutch pedal is pressed. To restart a vehicle
with a manual transmission when you are already
moving, use the Neutral position only. To restart a vehicle
with an automatic transmission when you are already
moving, use N (Neutral).Notice:Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage
the transmission. Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
The keyless access transmitter must be inside the
vehicle for the ignition to work.
Cell phone chargers can interfere with the operation of
the Keyless Access System. Battery chargers should
not be plugged in when starting or turning off the engine.
To start the vehicle, do the following:
1. For vehicles with an automatic transmission, with
your foot on the brake pedal, press the START
button located on the instrument panel. For vehicles
with a manual transmission, you must also press in
the clutch pedal while pressing the START button.
If there is not a keyless access transmitter in the
vehicle or if there is something causing interference
with it, the DIC will display NO FOBS DETECTED.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-54
for more information.
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2. When the engine begins cranking, let go of the
button and the engine cranks automatically until
it starts. If the battery in the keyless access
transmitter is weak, the DIC displays FOB
BATTERY LOW. You can still drive the vehicle.
See “Battery Replacement” underKeyless Access
System Operation on page 2-5for more information.
If the fob battery is dead, you need to insert the
fob into the fob slot to enable engine starting.
See “No Fobs Detected” underDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-54.
3. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and transmission gently until
the oil warms up and lubricates all moving parts.4. If the engine does not start and no DIC message is
displayed, wait 15 seconds before trying again to let
the cranking motor cool down.
If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F or−18°C),
it could be ooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing the accelerator pedal all the way to the oor
while cranking for up to 15 seconds maximum. Wait
at least 15 seconds between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down. When the engine starts,
let go of the accelerator. If the vehicle starts briey
but then stops again, repeat these steps. This clears
the extra gasoline from the engine.
Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods of
time, by pressing the START button immediately
after cranking has ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the battery. Wait at
least 15 seconds between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down.
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The vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in starting the engine and
protects components. Once cranking has been initiated,
the engine continues cranking for a few seconds or until
the vehicle starts. If the engine does not start, cranking
automatically stops after 15 seconds to prevent cranking
motor damage. To prevent gear damage, this system
also prevents cranking if the engine is already running.
Notice:The engine is designed to work with
the electronics in the vehicle. If electrical parts or
accessories are added, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer/retailer. If you do not, the
engine might not perform properly. Any resulting
damage would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.Stopping the Engine
If the vehicle has an automatic transmission, move
the shift lever to P (Park) and press and hold the
Acc. (Off/Accessory) button, located on the instrument
panel, until the engine shuts off. If the shift lever is not
in P (Park), the engine shuts off and the vehicle goes
into the Accessory Mode. The DIC displays SHIFT TO
PARK. Once the shifter is moved to P (Park), the vehicle
turns off. If the vehicle has a manual transmission,
it is recommended that you move the shift lever to
R (Reverse) and set the parking brake after you turn off
the engine by pressing the Acc. (Off/Accessory) button.
If the keyless access transmitter is not detected inside
the vehicle when it is turned to off, the DIC displays
NO FOB – OFF OR RUN?.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-54for
more information.
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Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different
positions for the shift lever.
P (Park):This position locks the rear wheels. It is the
best position to use when starting the engine because
the vehicle cannot move easily.{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift
lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake
rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly
level ground, always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park (Automatic Transmission) on page 2-33.
Be sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before starting
the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply the brakes and
then press the shift lever button before you can shift
from P (Park) when the vehicle is running. If you cannot
shift out of P (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever
and push the shift lever all the way into P (Park) as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and move the shift lever into another gear.
SeeShifting Out of Park on page 2-34.
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R (Reverse):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging the transmission, seeIf
Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 4-21.
N (Neutral):In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart the engine when
the vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only.
If the vehicle needs towing, seeTowing Your Vehicle
on page 4-28.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is rmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear
while the engine is running at high speed.Notice:Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage the
transmission. The repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
D (Drive):This position is for normal driving. It provide
the best fuel economy. If you need more power for
passing, and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding, see “Skidding” underLoss of
Control on page 4-13.
S (Sport Mode):When in S (Sport Mode), the
transmission will work as an automatic until you use the
Manual Paddle Shift Controls, which activates driver
manual gear selection. See Manual Paddle Shift later in
this section. While in S (Sport Mode), the transmission’s
computer determines when the vehicle is being driven
in a competitive manner and will select and hold the
transmission in lower gears and have more noticeable
upshifts for sportier vehicle performance.
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Manual Paddle Shift
While in the S (Sport Mode) position, the paddles
located on the steering wheel can be used to manually
up-shift or down-shift the transmission.
While in S (Sport Mode), push the paddle above the
steering wheel spokes to up-shift to the next gear, or
pull on the paddle behind the steering wheel spokes to
down-shift to the next gear.
To use the system, shift from P (Park) position to
S (Sport Mode) while stopped and with the engine
running, or from D (Drive) with the vehicle moving.When accelerating the vehicle from a stop in snowy and
icy conditions, you may want to shift to 2 (Second) or
3 (Third) gear. A higher gear allows you to gain more
traction on slippery surfaces. If traction control is active,
upshifts are delayed to increase your control of the
vehicle. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.
While the Manual Paddle Shift gear selection system
is active, the transmission will automatically downshift
through the gears as the vehicle slows. The transmission
will select 2 (Second) gear as the vehicle stops. From a
stop, the vehicle will start from and hold 2 (Second) gear
unless the driver manually paddle shifts into a different
gear or selects D (Drive). The driver can select 1 (First)
gear for maximum acceleration from a stop.
When using the Manual
Paddle Shift feature while
in S (Sport Mode), the
current gear will be
displayed in the Driver
Information (DIC), or the
Head-Up Display (HUD),
if the vehicle has either of
these features.
If the vehicle has a Navigation system, see “Head-Up
Display (HUD)” in the Index of the navigation manual.
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The Manual Paddle Shift system will not allow either an
up-shift or a down-shift if the vehicle speed is too fast
or too slow, nor will it allow a start from 4 (Fourth) or
higher gear
If up-shifting does not occur when needed, vehicle
speed will be limited to protect the engine.
The transmission will also automatically down-shift as
the vehicle slows down and comes to a stop.
When the transmission gear does not respond to a shift
change, the DIC will show an X over the gear display.
When a requested shift is
denied due to the speed
restrictions shown, the DIC
will momentarily show
an X over the gear display
and a chime will sound.
If the vehicle has a HUD, and the transmission gear
does not respond to a shift change, a chime will sound
and the HUD will momentarily show an X over the
gear display.
Manual Paddle Shift operation is available for use with
Cruise Control. SeeCruise Control on page 3-10for
more information.The vehicle speeds required for Manual Paddle Shift
up-shifts depend on several vehicle inputs, which
will vary the allowed up-shift speed by a few mph (km/h).
Up-shifts to 4 (Fourth) gear require approximately
22 mph (35 km/h).
Up-shifts to 5 (Fifth) gear require approximately
28 mph (45 km/h).
Up-shifts to 6 (Sixth) gear require approximately
41 mph (65 km/h).
To prevent damage to the powertrain, Manual Paddle
downshifts to a lower gear cannot be done above certain
speeds. The maximum speed allowed for downshifting
of gears 1 (First) through 4 (Fourth) are:
Into 4 (Fourth) gear over 168 mph (270 km/h)
Into 3 (Third) gear over 124 mph (200 km/h)
Into 2 (Second) gear over 81 mph (130 km/h)
Into 1 (First) gear over 45 mph (72 km/h).
If the driver does not request an upshift as the engine
speed approaches fuel shut off RPM, the engine
speed will be limited to protect the engine. See
Tachometer on page 3-34for more information.
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Manual Transmission Operation
This is the shift pattern
for the six-speed manual
transmission.
Here is how to operate the transmission:
1 (First):Press the clutch pedal and shift into 1 (First).
Then slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press
the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into 1 (First) when you are going less than
40 mph (64 km/h). If you come to a complete stop and it
is hard to shift into 1 (First), put the shift lever in Neutral
and let up on the clutch. Press the clutch pedal back
down. Then shift into 1 (First).2 (Second):Press the clutch pedal as you let up
on the accelerator pedal and shift into 2 (Second).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press
the accelerator pedal.
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth) and 6 (Sixth):Shift into
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth) and 6 (Sixth) the same
way you do for 2 (Second). Slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to Neutral.
Neutral:Use this position when you start or idle the
engine. The shift lever is in Neutral when it is centered
in the shift pattern, not in any gear.
R (Reverse):To back up, press down the clutch pedal
and shift into R (Reverse). Just apply pressure to get the
lever past 5 (Fifth) and 6 (Sixth) into R (Reverse). Let up
on the clutch pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator
pedal.
The six-speed manual transmission has a feature that
allows you to safely shift into R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is rolling at less than 3 mph (5 km/h). You will be
locked out if you try to shift into R (Reverse) while the
vehicle is moving faster than 3 mph (5 km/h).
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