2011 CHEVROLET CORVETTE traction control

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Introduction v
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer
to the Index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.: Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3: Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: LATCH System Child
Restraints
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Trunk Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Sensing System for Passenger Airbag . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11 Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-13
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Vehicle Features
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-17
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-18
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Roof Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Convertible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control
System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-22
Z06, Z16, and ZR1 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-23
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-21
Until you are sure you can remove
the roof panel by yourself, have
someone help you. Once removed,
the roof panel should always be
stored properly in the rear storage
compartment.
For more information:
.See“Storing the Roof Panel”
under Roof Panel on page 2‑18.
.See“Installing the Roof Panel”
under Roof Panel on page 2‑18.
Convertible
If equipped, the convertible top can
be lowered and stowed under the
tonneau cover behind the seats.
For step-by-step instructions, see
Convertible Top on page 2‑22.
Performance and
Maintenance
Traction Control
System (TCS)
The traction control system limits
wheel spin. The system turns on
automatically every time the vehicle
is started.
.To turn off traction control,
press and release
don the
console.
dilluminates and
the appropriate DIC message
displays. See Ride Control
System Messages on page 5‑44.
.Press and release the button
again to turn on traction control.
See Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 9‑36. The vehicle has an Active
Handling System that helps
maintain directional control of
the vehicle in difficult driving
conditions. See
Active Handling
System on page 9‑37.
The vehicle may have
Competitive Driving Mode
(except ZR1), Performance
Traction Management (ZR1),
and Launch Control systems
designed to allow increased
performance while accelerating
and cornering. See Competitive
Driving Mode on page 9‑38.
Towing
The vehicle was neither designed
nor intended to be towed with any of
its wheels on the ground.
See Towing the Vehicle on
page 10‑86 andRecreational
Vehicle Towing on page 10‑86.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 5-2
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 5-3
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 5-4
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Boost Gauge (ZR1) . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13 Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . 5-16
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . 5-16
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
One-to-Four Shift Light (Manual Transmission) . . . . . 5-22
Active Handling System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . . . . . . . 5-23
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
High-Beam on Light . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . 5-25
Lamps on Reminder . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . 5-31
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Battery Voltage and Charging Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-36
Convertible Top Messages . . . 5-37
Cruise Control Messages . . . . 5-38
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-40
Engine Power Messages . . . . 5-41
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . 5-41
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 5-42
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-44
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-44
Safety Belt Messages . . . . . . . 5-49
Anti-Theft Alarm System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-50
Service Vehicle Messages . . . 5-50
Starting the Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-50
Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-51
Transmission Messages . . . . . 5-53
Vehicle Reminder Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-54
Washer Fluid Messages . . . . . 5-54

Black plate (23,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-23
Active Handling System
Light
The Active Handling System light
comes on briefly as the engine is
started. If the light does not, have
the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally the
light goes off.
If the light stays on or comes on
while driving, a chime sounds and
a SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING
SYSTEM message appears on the
DIC and the vehicle need service.
This light also comes on while
the vehicle is in the Competitive
Driving Mode.For the ZR1 this light comes on
when Performance Traction mode is
activated, along with DIC messages
for the five traction modes.
When the Active Handling System
is turned off, the light comes on,
a chime sounds, and the
TRACTION SYSTEM AND
ACTIVE HANDLING
–OFF
message displays in the DIC.
The Traction Control System
is off and the Active Handling
System does not assist with
controlling the vehicle.
When the Active Handling System
is turned back on, the light turns
off, a chime sounds and the
TRACTION SYSTEM AND
ACTIVE HANDLING –ON
message displays in the DIC.
See Ride Control System Messages
on page 5‑44 for more information.
Traction Control System
(TCS) Warning Light
The Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning light comes on briefly when
the engine is started.
If the light does not, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally
the light then goes off.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving and a SERVICE
TRACTION SYSTEM message
displays in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), the vehicle needs
service.

Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
5-24 Instruments and Controls
When the TCS is turned off, this
light comes on and a TRACTION
SYSTEM OFF message displays
on the DIC. When this light is on,
the TCS system does not limit
wheel spin.
When the TCS is turned back on,
this light turns off and a TRACTION
SYSTEM ON message displays on
the DIC
This light also comes on while
the vehicle is in the Competitive
Driving Mode.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 9‑36 andRide Control
System Messages on page 5‑44
for more information.
See Active Handling System on
page 9‑37 for more information on
Competitive Driving Mode and
Performance Traction Mode.Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with a Tire Pressure
Monitor System, this light comes on
briefly when the engine is started.
It provides information about tire
pressures and the Tire Pressure
Monitor System.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more
of the tires are significantly
underinflated.
A tire pressure message can
accompany the light. See Tire
Messages on page 5‑51 for more
information. Stop as soon as
possible, and inflate the tires to
the pressure value shown on the
Tire and Loading Information Label.
See Tire Pressure on page 10‑66
for more information. When the Light Flashes First and
Then is On Steady
This indicates that there may be
a problem with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System. The light flashes
for about a minute and stays on
steady for the remainder of the
ignition cycle. This sequence
repeats with every ignition cycle.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation on page 10‑69 for
more information.
Security Light
For information regarding this light
and the vehicle's security system,
see Anti-Theft Alarm System on
page 2‑12.

Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-37
If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, you do not have
ABS and there is a problem with the
brakes. SeeAntilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light on page 5‑22
and Brake System Warning Light on
page 5‑21.
If this message is displayed, the
Traction Control System (TCS)
and the Active Handling System
will also be disabled. The DIC will
scroll three messages: SERVICE
ANTILOCK BRAKES, SERVICE
TRACTION SYSTEM, and
SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING,
and the instrument panel cluster
lights will come on along with a
sound. When the service message
is displayed, the computer
controlled systems will not assist the
driver. Have the system repaired by
your dealer as soon as possible.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
To acknowledge these messages,
press the RESET button.Convertible Top
Messages
ATTACH TRUNK PARTITION
If the vehicle has a power
convertible top, this message
displays and a sound will be heard
if the trunk partition is not in place.
Open the hatch/trunk and make
sure the trunk partition is secure
and no objects are on the trunk
partition. See Rear Storage on
page 4‑1 for more information.
CLOSE TRUNK TO MOVE TOP
This message displays and a sound
will be heard if the trunk is open
while you are trying to operate
the convertible top. Make sure
the trunk is closed before operating
the convertible top. See Convertible
Top on page 2‑22.
SET PARK BRAKE TO
MOVE TOP
If the vehicle has a manual
transmission, this message displays
and a sound will be heard if you
try to operate the power convertible
top without first setting the parking
brake. Set the parking brake
before trying to operate the power
convertible top. See Convertible Top
on page 2‑22 for more information.
SHIFT TO PARK OR SET PARK
BRAKE FOR TOP
If the vehicle has an automatic
transmission, this message displays
and a sound will be heard if you try
to operate the power convertible top
without first shifting into P (Park) or
setting the parking brake. Either
shift the vehicle into P (Park) or set
the parking brake before trying to
operate the power convertible top.
SeeConvertible Top on page 2‑22
for more information.

Black plate (44,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
5-44 Instruments and Controls
Lamp Messages
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED
This message displays if it is dark
enough outside and the headlamps
and the Twilight Sentinel
®controls
are off. This message informs the
driver that turning on the exterior
lamps is recommended. It has
become dark enough outside to
require the headlamps and/or other
exterior lamps.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays and a
sound will be heard if a turn signal
is left on for 1.2 km (three-quarters
of a mile). Move the turn signal/
multifunction lever to the off
position.
To acknowledge this message,
press the RESET button.
Ride Control System
Messages
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. See Active
Handling System on page 9‑37 and
Braking on page 9‑3.
ACTIVE HANDLING READY
This message displays when the
functional check of the Active
Handling System has been
completed. See Active Handling
System on page 9‑37 for more
information.
COMPETITIVE DRIVING MODE
This message displays and a
sound will be heard when the
Competitive Driving mode is
selected. The instrument panel
cluster light will be on when the
Competitive Driving mode is
selected. If your vehicle is equipped
with a manual transmission, Launch
Control is available when this
mode selected. The Traction
Control System (TCS) will not
be operating while in the
Competitive Driving mode. Adjust
your driving accordingly. This
system is available on all models
except ZR1. See Competitive
Driving Mode on page 9‑38,
including the “Launch Control”
information.