2010 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

To experience the performance benefit of this
system, after entering a curve and at the point where
the driver would normally start to increase acceleration,
the accelerator pedal can be fully pressed. The
Performance Traction Management system will modify
the level of engine power for a smooth and consistent
corner exit.
To select a mode while in
Performance Traction
Management, turn the
knob located on the
console.
The Performance Traction Management system
contains five modes. These modes are selected by
turning the Selective Ride Control/Performance Traction
Management knob on the center console. The driver
scrolls up or down through modes 1-5 by rotating the
knob to the right or left. The following is a DIC display description and the
recommended usage of each mode:
PERF TRAC 1
–WET ACTIVE
HANDLING ON
.Intended for all driver skill levels
.Wet or damp conditions only —not intended for
use in heavy rain or standing water
.Active Handling is on and engine power is reduced
based on conditions
PERF TRAC 2 –DRY ACTIVE
HANDLING ON
.For use by less experienced drivers or while
learning a new track
.Dry conditions only
.Active Handling is on and engine power is
slightly reduced
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PERF TRAC 3–SPORT ACTIVE
HANDLING ON
.For use by drivers who are familiar with the track
.Dry conditions only
.Requires more driving skill than mode 2
.Active Handling is on and more engine power is
available than in mode 2
PERF TRAC 4 –SPORT ACTIVE
HANDLING OFF
.For use by drivers who are familiar with the track
.Dry conditions only
.Requires more driving skill than modes 2 or 3
.Active Handling is off and available engine power
is the same as mode 3
PERF TRAC 5 –RACE ACTIVE
HANDLING OFF
.For use by experienced drivers who are familiar
with the track
.Dry conditions only
.Requires more driving skill than in other modes
.Active Handling is off and engine power is
available for maximum cornering speed
Press and release the ACTIVE HANDLING button
to turn off Performance Traction Management and
return to the Active Handling and Traction Control
Systems. The TRACTION SYSTEM AND ACTIVE
HANDLING-ON message displays briefly in the DIC
and a chime is heard.
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Launch Control
A Launch Control feature is available, within
Competitive Driving Mode (except ZR1) or Performance
Traction Management (ZR1), on vehicles with a manual
transmission to allow the driver to achieve high levels of
vehicle acceleration in a straight line. Launch Control is
a form of traction control that manages tire spin while
launching the vehicle. This feature is intended for use
during closed course race events where consistent
zero to sixty and quarter mile times are desirable.
Launch Control is only available when the following
criteria are met:
.Competitive Driving Mode is selected (except ZR1)
or any of the Performance Traction Management
modes are selected (ZR1). The TCS light comes
on the instrument panel and the appropriate
DIC message displays.
.The vehicle is not moving.
.The steering wheel is pointing straight.
.The clutch is pressed and the vehicle is in
first gear.
.The accelerator pedal is rapidly applied to wide
open throttle. The Launch Control feature will initially limit engine
speed as the driver rapidly applies the accelerator pedal
to wide open throttle. A smooth, quick release of the
clutch, while maintaining the fully pressed accelerator
pedal, will manage wheel slip. Complete shifts as
described in
Manual Transmission Operation
on
page 3‑32.
After the vehicle is launched, the system continues in
Competitive Mode (except ZR1) or Performance
Traction Management (ZR1).
Competitive Driving Mode, Performance Traction
Management, and Launch Control are systems
designed for a closed course race track and not
intended for use on public roads. The systems are not
intended to compensate for lack of driver experience or
familiarity with the race track.
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Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Vehicles with a limited-slip rear axle can give more
traction on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like
a standard axle most of the time, but when traction is
low, this feature allows the drive wheel with the most
traction to move the vehicle.
Selective Ride Control
The vehicle may have a ride control system called
Magnetic Selective Ride Control. The system provides
the following performance benefits:
.Reduced Impact Harshness
.Improved Road Isolation
.Improved High-Speed Stability
.Improved Handling Response
.Better Control of Body Ride Motions
Except ZR1
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.
The setting can be changed at any time. Based on road
conditions, steering wheel angle and the vehicle speed,
the system automatically adjusts to provide the best
handling while providing a smooth ride. The Tour and
Sport modes will feel similar on a smooth road. Select a
new setting whenever driving conditions change.
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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 to DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑52for more information.
ZR1
This knob is located on
the center console. Turn it
to select the suspension
of your choice. The knob
will return to the center
position when released.
The switch will illuminate
the current suspension
setting.
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. The setting can be changed at any time. Based on road
conditions, steering wheel angle and the vehicle speed,
the system automatically adjusts to provide the best
handling while providing a smooth ride. The Tour and
Sport modes will feel similar on a smooth road. Select a
new setting whenever driving conditions change.
The Selective Ride knob will not display the
Tour or Sport setting when the Performance Traction
Management mode is selected. When this mode is
selected, turning the Selective Ride knob will change
the Performance Traction Management mode and the
suspension setting will be determined automatically.
See
Competitive Driving Mode
on page 5‑9for
more information.
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 to DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑52for more information.
5-15

Steering
Power Steering
If power steering assist is lost because the engine stops
or the system is not functioning, the vehicle can be
steered but it will take more effort.
Magnetic Speed Variable Assist
Steering System
This system continuously adjusts the effort felt when
steering at all vehicle speeds. It provides ease when
parking, yet a firm, solid feel at highway speeds.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the condition of the tires
and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is
banked, and vehicle speed. While in a curve, speed is
the one factor that can be controlled.
If there is a need to reduce speed, do it before entering
the curve, while the front wheels are straight. Try to adjust the speed so you can drive through the
curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until out of the curve, and then accelerate
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and
find 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. These
problems can be avoided by braking
—if you can stop
in time. But sometimes you cannot stop in time because
there is no room. That is the time for evasive
action —steering around the problem.
The vehicle can perform very well in emergencies
like these. First apply the brakes. See Braking
on
page 5‑4. It is better to remove as much speed as
possible from a collision. Then steer around the
problem, to the left or right depending on the
space available.
5-16

An emergency like this requires close attention and a
quick decision. If holding the steering wheel at the
recommended 9 and 3 o'clock positions, it can be
turned 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.
Off-Road Recovery
The 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 the vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement.
Turn the steering wheel 8 to 13 cm (3 to 5 inches),
about one-eighth turn, until the right front tire contacts
the pavement edge. Then turn the steering wheel to go
straight down the roadway.
5-17

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.
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 the 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.
Remember: Any traction control system helps avoid
only the acceleration skid. If the traction control system
is off, then an acceleration skid is best handled by
easing your foot off the accelerator pedal.
5-18