Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-35
If driving safely on a wet road
and it becomes necessary to slam
on the brakes and continue braking
to avoid a sudden obstacle, a
computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling,
the computer will separately work
the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls
braking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decreasestopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to
apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to
stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and let
ABS work. You might hear the ABS
pump or motor operating and feel
the brake pedal pulsate, but this is
normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located to
the right of the center console.
To set the parking brake, hold the
brake pedal down. Pull the parking
brake lever up. If the ignition is on,
the brake system warning light will
come on.
To release the parking brake, hold
the brake pedal down. Then push
the release button in as you move
the parking brake lever all the
way down.
Notice:
Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the brake
system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system
parts. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before
driving.
Black plate (38,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
9-38 Driving and Operating
The Active Handling System comes
on automatically whenever the
vehicle is started. To help maintain
directional control of the vehicle,
the system should always be left
on. The system can be turned off
if needed. If the Active Handling
System is turned 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 until TRACTION SYSTEM
AND ACTIVE HANDLING
SYSTEM—OFF is displayed.
The system can be turned back on
at any time by pressing the button.
The DIC will display the appropriate
message when the button is
pushed. If the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system detects a flat 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
or Performance Traction
Management is unavailable.
.The Active Handling System
will feel different in aiding and
maintaining directional control.
Competitive Driving Mode
Competitive Driving Mode,
Performance Traction Management,
and Launch Control are systems
designed to allow increased
performance while accelerating
and/or cornering. This is
accomplished by regulating and
optimizing the engine, brakes,
and suspension performance.
These modes are for use at a
closed course race track and are
not intended for use on public
roads. They will not compensate
for a driver
’s inexperience or lack
of familiarity with the race track.
Drivers who prefer to allow the
system to have more control of
the engine, brake, and suspension
are advised to turn the normal
traction control and active handling
systems on. See Racing or Other
Competitive Driving on page 9‑7
for more information.
Black plate (39,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-39
Notice:Do not attempt to shift
when the drive wheels are
spinning and do not have
traction. This may cause damage
to the transmission. Damage
caused by misuse of the vehicle
is not covered by the vehicle
warranty. See the warranty book
for additional information.
Competitive Driving Mode
(Except ZR1)
Competitive Driving Mode allows
full engine power while the Active
Handling System helps maintain
directional control of the vehicle
by selective brake application.
In this mode, TCS is off and
Launch Control is available.
Adjust your driving style to account
for the available engine power.
See Launch Control later in this
section.
This light is on when the vehicle is
in the Competitive Driving Mode.
This optional handling mode can be
selected by pressing the ACTIVE
HANDLING button on the console
quickly two times. COMPETITIVE
DRIVING MODE displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See Ride Control System Messages
on page 5‑44 for more information.
When the ACTIVE HANDLING
button is pressed again, the Active
Handling and TCS systems are on.
The TRACTION SYSTEM AND
ACTIVE HANDLING-ON message
displays briefly in the DIC and a
chime is heard.
Performance Traction
Management (ZR1)
Performance Traction Management
integrates the Traction Control,
Active Handling and Selective
Ride Control systems to provide
improved and consistent
performance when cornering.
The amount of available engine
power is based on the mode
selected, track conditions, driver
skill, and the radius of each corner.
This light is on when the vehicle
is in the Performance Traction
Management Mode.
Black plate (40,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
9-40 Driving and Operating
This optional handling mode
can be selected by pressing the
ACTIVE HANDLING button on the
console quickly two times. PERF
TRAC 1 - WET ACTIVE HANDLING
ON displays in the DIC.
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
Black plate (43,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-43
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.
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
Ride Control System
Messages on page 5‑44 for 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.
Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
i-2 INDEX
B
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-43Exterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-82
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Voltage and Charging Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . 10-46
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
Boost Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50 Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48 Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-49
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Taillamps, Turn Signal and Stoplamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-73
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
California
Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 9-49
Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . iii
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Hatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11 Cargo
Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Cautions, Danger, and Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . 4-2
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-80
Check Engine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Child Restraints Infants and Young
Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-39
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . 3-43, 3-44
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-37
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-48
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-41
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-51
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-90
Climate Control Systems Dual Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
i-10 INDEX
S
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-49
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Replacing After a Crash . . . . . . 3-22
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . 3-20
Safety Defects Reporting Canadian Government . . . . . . 13-16
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-17
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . 13-16
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Scheduled Maintenance . . . . . . . 11-2
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . 13-10
Seatback Latches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Seats
Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Heated Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8 Seats (cont.)
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . 3-6
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . 3-3
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Securing Child Restraints . . . . . . 3-48
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Selective Ride Control . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Service
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . . 10-8
Engine Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . 11-9
Maintenance, General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Parts Identification Label . . . . . 12-1
Publications Ordering
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-15
Scheduling Appointments . . . 13-10
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-50
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . 3-34
Shift Lock Control Function Check, Automatic
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45 Shifting
Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Specifications and Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Starting the Vehicle Messsages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-50
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4 Fluid, Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-36
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
Storage Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Areas Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Center Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Convenience Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-13
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv