2011 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

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 (36,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
9-36 Driving and Operating
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a brake assist
feature designed to assist the
driver in stopping or decreasing
vehicle speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement
the power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle.
The stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time
is normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal
as the driving situation dictates.
The brake assist feature will
automatically disengage when
the brake pedal is released or
brake pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control
System (TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) that limits wheel spin.
This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system
operates only if it senses that the
rear wheels are spinning too much
or are beginning to lose traction.
When this happens, the system
works the rear brakes and reduces
engine power (by closing the throttle
and managing engine spark) to limit
wheel spin.
The TRACTION SYSTEM ACTIVE
message displays on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) when TCS
is limiting wheel spin. SeeRide
Control System Messages on
page 5‑44. The system may be
heard or felt while it is working,
but this is normal. If cruise control is being used when
TCS begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control will automatically
disengage. Cruise control may be
reengaged when road conditions
allow. See
Cruise Control on
page 9‑44.
The SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM
message and the TCS warning light
will come on if there is a problem
with TCS. See Ride Control System
Messages on page 5‑44.
When this light and the SERVICE
TRACTION SYSTEM message
are on, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly.

Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-37
TCS automatically comes on
whenever the vehicle is started.
To limit wheel spin, especially in
slippery road conditions, the system
should always be left on. TCS can
be turned off if needed.
To turn the system off, press the
button located on the console.
The system can be turned on or off
at any time by pressing the ACTIVE
HANDLING button. The DIC will
display the appropriate message
when the button is pushed.
Notice:When traction control is
turned off, or Competitive Driving
Mode is active, it is possible to
lose traction. If you attempt to shift with the drive wheels
spinning with a loss of traction, it
is possible to cause damage to
the transmission. Do not attempt
to shift when the drive wheels do
not have traction. Damage caused
by misuse of the vehicle is not
covered. See the warranty book
for additional information.
Adding non‐dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect the vehicle's
performance. See
Accessories and
Modifications on page 10‑4 for more
information.
Active Handling System
The Active Handling System is
a computer controlled system
that helps the driver maintain
directional control of the vehicle
in difficult driving conditions.
This is accomplished by selectively
applying any one of the vehicle's
brakes. The ACTIVE HANDLING message
will come on when the system is
operating. See
Ride Control System
Messages on page 5‑44 for more
information. The system may be
heard or felt while it is working.
This is normal.
The SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING
SYSTEM message is displayed, the
instrument cluster light comes on,
and a sound is heard if there is a
problem with the system.
See Ride Control System Messages
on page 5‑44 for more information.
When this light and the SERVICE
ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM
message are on, the system is not
operational. Adjust your driving
accordingly.

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 (41,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-41
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.
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.

Black plate (42,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
9-42 Driving and Operating
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 on page 9‑32.
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.
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