2011 CHEVROLET CORVETTE sensor

Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-35
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q: Is there anything I might addto or change about the vehicle
that could keep the airbags
from working properly?
A: Yes. If you add things that
change the vehicle's frame,
bumper system, height, front
end or side sheet metal, they
may keep the airbag system
from working properly. Changing
or moving any parts of the front
seats, safety belts, the airbag
sensing and diagnostic module,
steering wheel, instrument
panel, the inside rear mirror,
front sensors, or airbag wiring
can affect the operation of the
airbag system.
In addition, the vehicle has
a passenger sensing system
for the right front passenger
position, which includes sensors
that are part of the passenger seat. The passenger sensing
system may not operate properly
if the original seat trim is
replaced with non-GM covers,
upholstery or trim, or with
GM covers, upholstery or
trim designed for a different
vehicle. Any object, such as
an aftermarket seat heater or
a comfort enhancing pad or
device, installed under or on
top of the seat fabric, could
also interfere with the operation
of the passenger sensing
system. This could either
prevent proper deployment
of the passenger airbag(s) or
prevent the passenger sensing
system from properly turning
off the passenger airbag(s).
See
Passenger Sensing System
on page 3‑30.
If you have any questions
about this, you should contact
Customer Assistance before you
modify your vehicle. The phone
numbers and addresses for
Customer Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in
this manual. See
Customer
Satisfaction Procedure
(United States and Canada) on
page 13‑1 orCustomer
Satisfaction Procedure (Mexico)
on page 13‑3.
Q: Because I have a disability, I have to get my vehicle
modified. How can I find out
whether this will affect my
airbag system?
A: If you have questions,
call Customer Assistance.
The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer
Assistance are in Step Two
of the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure in this manual.
See Customer Satisfaction
Procedure (United States and
Canada) on page 13‑1 or
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure (Mexico) on
page 13‑3.

Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
3-36 Seats and Restraints
Your dealer and the service manual
have information about the location
of the airbag sensors, sensing and
diagnostic module and airbag
wiring.
Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not need
regularly scheduled maintenance
or replacement. Make sure the
airbag readiness light is working.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 5‑16 for more information.
Notice: If an airbag covering is
damaged, opened, or broken,
the airbag may not work properly.
Do not open or break the airbag
coverings. If there are any
opened or broken airbag covers,
have the airbag covering and/or
airbag module replaced. For the
location of the airbag modules,
see What Makes an Airbag
Inflate? on page 3‑27. See your
dealer for service.
Replacing Airbag System
Parts After a Crash
{WARNING
A crash can damage the airbag
systems in your vehicle.
A damaged airbag system
may not work properly and
may not protect you and your
passenger(s) in a crash, resulting
in serious injury or even death.
To help make sure your airbag
systems are working properly
after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon
as possible. If an airbag inflates, you will need
to replace airbag system parts.
See your dealer for service.
If the airbag readiness light stays on
after the vehicle is started or comes
on when you are driving, the airbag
system may not work properly.
Have the vehicle serviced right
away. See
Airbag Readiness Light
on page 5‑16 for more information.

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
5-16 Instruments and Controls
The Driver Information Center (DIC)
reads BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW
when the vehicle is at 10 volts or
below. Have it checked right away.
Driving with the voltmeter reading at
10 volts or below could drain the
battery and disable the vehicle.
Safety Belt Reminders
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the engine is started, a chime
sounds for several seconds to
remind a driver to fasten the safety
belt, unless the driver safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light comes on and
stays on for several seconds, then
flashes for several more.
This chime and light are repeated if
the driver remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion. If the driver
safety belt is already buckled,
neither the chime nor the light
comes on.
Airbag Readiness Light
The system checks the airbag's
electrical system for possible
malfunctions. If the light stays on
it indicates 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 3‑22.

Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
5-36 Instruments and Controls
SERVICE CHARGING SYSTEM
If this message displays while you
are driving, there may be a problem
with the electrical charging system.
It could mean that there is a loose
or broken drive belt or that there is
another electrical problem. Have the
vehicle checked right away by your
dealer. Driving while this message is
on could drain the battery.
If you must drive a short distance
with the message on, be certain to
turn off the vehicle's accessories,
such as the radio and air
conditioner.
Multiple chimes sound when this
message is displayed.
To acknowledge the message, press
the RESET button. The message
reappears every 10 minutes until
this condition changes.
Brake System Messages
ABS (Antilock Brake System)
ACTIVE
This message displays when the
Antilock Brake System (ABS) is
adjusting brake pressure to help
avoid a braking skid.
Slippery road conditions may exist
if this message is displayed, so
adjust your driving accordingly.
The message stays on for a few
seconds after the system stops
adjusting brake pressure. See
Antilock Brake System (ABS) on
page 9‑34for more information.
CHANGE BRAKE PADS
On vehicles with electronic brake
pad wear sensors, this message will
be displayed when the pads are
worn. See your dealer for service.
CHECK BRAKE FLUID
This message displays, a sound
will be heard, and the brake
system warning light on the
instrument panel cluster turns
on if the ignition is on to inform the
driver that the brake fluid level is
low. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 5‑21. Have the brake
system serviced by your dealer as
soon as possible. See Brakes on
page 10‑38.
SERVICE ANTILOCK BRAKES
If this message displays while
you are driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off.
Then start the engine again to reset
the system. If the message stays
on, or comes back on again while
you are driving, the vehicle is in
need of service. See your dealer.
If the antilock brake system (ABS)
warning light is on and the regular
brake system warning light
is not on, you still have brakes,
but do not have ABS.

Black plate (50,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
5-50 Instruments and Controls
Anti-Theft Alarm System
Messages
INTRUSION SENSOR OFF
This message may display when the
anti-theft alarm has been disarmed.
INTRUSION SENSOR ON
This message may display when the
anti-theft alarm has been armed.
Service Vehicle Messages
SERVICE AIR CONDITIONING
This message displays when the
electronic sensors that control
the air conditioning and heating
systems are no longer working.
Have the climate control system
serviced by your dealer if you
notice a drop in heating and air
conditioning efficiency.
SERVICE ELECTRICAL
SYSTEM
This message displays if an
electrical problem has occurred
within the Powertrain Control
Module (PCM). Have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message displays and a sound
will be heard when there may be an
electrical or another system problem
with the vehicle. Have your vehicle
checked by your dealer if this
message keeps appearing.
Starting the Vehicle
Messages
PRESS BRAKE TO START
ENGINE (Automatic
Transmission Only)
This message displays if you
try to start the engine by pressing
the keyless ignition start button
without having the brake pressed.
The brake needs to be pressed
when starting the engine. See
Ignition Positions on page 9‑20for
more information.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Lighting 6-3
When it is dark enough outside, the
front turn signal lamps turn off and
the normal low-beam headlamps
turn on.
When it is bright enough outside,
the regular lamps go off, and the
front turn signal lamps will take over.
If the vehicle is started in a dark
garage, the automatic headlamp
system comes on immediately.
Once the vehicle leaves the garage,
it takes approximately one minute
for the automatic headlamp system
to change to DRL if it is light
outside. During that delay, the
instrument panel cluster may not
be as bright as usual. Make sure
the instrument panel brightness
knob is in the full bright position.
SeeInstrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6‑5 for more
information. If it is dark enough outside and
the exterior lamp control is off,
a HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED
message will display on the Driver's
Information Center (DIC). See
Lamp
Messages on page 5‑44.
Turning the exterior lamp control
to off a second time, or turning
on the headlamps will remove
the HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED
message in the DIC. If the parking
lamps or the fog lamps were turned
on instead, the HEADLAMPS
SUGGESTED message will
continue to be displayed.
The regular headlamp system
should be turned on when needed.
To turn off the DRL, turn the exterior
lamp control to the off position or
shift into P (Park). The DRL will
stay off until the control is toggled
again or the vehicle is shifted out
of P (Park).
This procedure applies only
to vehicles first sold in the
United States.Twilight Sentinel
Twilight Sentinel®is an automatic
headlamp system. When activated,
this feature turns your headlamps
and parking lamps on and off by
sensing how dark it is outside.
Be sure not to cover the light sensor
on the top of the instrument panel.
AUTO: Activates the system.
If the band is already in the AUTO
position when you start your vehicle,
Twilight Sentinel is automatically
enabled.
If it is dark outside, your vehicle
headlamps and parking lamps will
turn on automatically.
Once it is bright enough outside, the
headlamps and parking lamps will
automatically turn back off.
Twilight Sentinel may also turn on
when you drive through a dimly
lit area.

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
8-2 Climate Controls
When the vehicle is first started,
the display shows the driver's
temperature setting, the outside
temperature, the fan speed and the
air delivery, for about 10 seconds.
The outside temperature is shown
in the center of the display.
The digital display will show the
readings in Fahrenheit or Celsius.
See“Personal Options” under
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑55 for information
on changing your display.
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic): Press the
AUTO button to place the entire
system in the automatic mode.
When automatic operation is active,
the system automatically controls
the inside temperature, the air
delivery mode, and the fan speed. After a ten second display of the
current settings, the word AUTO,
the driver's temperature setting
and the outside temperature will
be shown. The system operates
to reach the set temperature as
quickly as possible. The AUTO
control system works best with the
windows up and the removable roof
installed or the convertible top up.
1. Press the AUTO button.
2. Adjust the temperature to a
comfortable setting between
16°C (60°F) and 32°C (90°F).
Choosing the coldest or warmest
temperature setting will not
cause the system to heat or
cool any faster. A setting of
23°C (73°F) is suggested.
In cold weather, the system will
start at reduced fan speeds to
avoid blowing cold air into your
vehicle until warmer air is available. The system starts out
blowing air at the floor but may
change modes automatically as
the vehicle warms up to maintain
the chosen temperature setting.
The length of time needed for
warm up depends on the outside
temperature and the length of
time that has elapsed since the
vehicle was last driven.
3. Wait for the system to regulate. This may take from 10 to
30 minutes. Then adjust the
temperature, if necessary.
Do not cover the solar sensor
located in the center of the
instrument panel, near the
windshield. For more information
on the solar sensor, see “Sensor”
later in this section.

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-5
Using these settings together for
long periods of time may cause
the air inside of your vehicle to
become too dry. To prevent this
from happening, after the air in
the vehicle has cooled, turn the
recirculation mode off.
The air conditioning system
removes moisture from the air,
so a small amount of water might
drip under the vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine.
This is normal.
?(Recirculation):Press to
turn the recirculation mode on or off.
An indicator light comes on to show
that recirculation is on. This mode
prevents outside air from entering
your vehicle. It can be used to
prevent outside air and odors from
entering your vehicle and to help
cool the air inside your vehicle more
quickly. Recirculation mode is not
available in defrost or defog mode.
Sensors
The solar sensor on the vehicle
monitors the solar heat and
uses the information to maintain
the selected temperature when
operating in AUTO mode by
automatically adjusting the
temperature, fan speed and air
delivery system. The system
may also supply cooler air to the
side of the vehicle facing the sun.
The recirculation mode will also
be activated, as necessary. Do not
cover the solar sensor located on
the top of the instrument panel near
the windshield or the system will
not work properly.
There is also a sensor located
behind the front bumper.
This sensor reads the outside
air temperature and helps to
maintain the temperature inside
the vehicle. Any cover on the front
of the vehicle could give a false
reading in the temperature. If the outside temperature goes up,
the displayed temperature will not
change until:
.The vehicle's speed is above
19 km/h (12 mph) for 5 minutes.
.The vehicle's speed is above
52 km/h (32 mph) for
2.5 minutes.
These delays prevent false
readings. If the temperature goes
down, the outside temperature
will be shown when you start the
vehicle. If it has been turned off
for less than three hours, the
temperature will be recalled from
the previous vehicle operation.
There is also an inside temperature
sensor located to the left of the
ignition switch. The automatic
climate control system uses this
sensor to receive information, so
if you block or cover it, the system
will not function properly.