Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
2011 Chevrolet Corvette Owner ManualM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Keys, Doors and Windows . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-37
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Additional Storage Features . . . 4-2 Instruments and Controls
. . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-55
Universal Remote System . . . . 5-64
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-7 Driving and Operating
. . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-18
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-28
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-36
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-54
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-58
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-82
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-3
A.Air Vents on page 8‑6.
B. Head-Up Display (HUD) on
page 5‑31 (If Equipped).
C. Turn and Lane‐Change Lever. See Turn and Lane-Change
Signals (Auto Signal) on
page 6‑4.
Cruise Control on page 9‑44.
Fog Lamps on page 6‑5.
Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.
D. Manual Shift Paddles (If Equipped). See Automatic
Transmission on page 9‑28.
E. Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5‑25.
F. Instrument Cluster on page 5‑9.
G. Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑4.
H. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑25.
I. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6‑4. J.
AM-FM Radio on page 7‑5.
K. Dual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑1.
L. Fuel Door Release Button. See Filling the Tank on page 9‑51.
Hatch/Trunk Release Button.
See “Hatch/Trunk Lid Release”
under Hatch on page 2‑10.
M. Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6‑5.
N. Data Link Connector (DLC). See Malfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 5‑18.
O. Power Folding Top Switch (If Equipped). See Convertible
Top on page 2‑22.
P. Bluetooth on page 7‑18
(If Equipped).
Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5‑3 (If Equipped).
Q. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5‑2.
R. Horn on page 5‑4. S. Telescopic Wheel Button
(If Equipped). See Steering
Wheel Adjustment on page 5‑2.
T. Ignition Positions on page 9‑20.
U. Heated Front Seats on page 3‑8
(If Equipped).
V. Shift Lever (Automatic Shown). See Automatic Transmission on
page 9‑28 orManual
Transmission on page 9‑32.
W. Active Handling System on
page 9‑37.
X. Power Outlets on page 5‑6.
Y. Selective Ride Control on
page 9‑42.
Z. Cupholders on page 4‑1.
AA. Ashtrays on page 5‑8.
Cigarette Lighter on page 5‑7.
AB. Parking Brake on page 9‑35.
AC. Glove Box on page 4‑1.
AD. Instrument Panel Fuse Block on
page 10‑55.
Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
1-6 In Brief
Trunk Release
Opening and Closing the
Hatch/Trunk
There are three ways to open the
hatch/trunk:
.Touch the button located above
the license plate. The Keyless
Access transmitter must be
within three feet of the button.
.Press theVbutton located to
the left of the steering wheel.
.Press the}button on the
Keyless Access transmitter.
For more information see Hatch on
page 2‑10.
Windows
The power window switches are
located on each door.
Pull up or press down on the front
of the switch to raise or lower the
window.
For more information, see Power
Windows on page 2‑17.
Seat Adjustment
Manual Seats
To adjust the seat:
1. Lift the bar under the front of the seat cushion to unlock the seat.
2. Slide the seat to the desired position and release the bar.
3. Try to move the seat back and forth to make sure it is locked in
place.
See Seat Adjustment on page 3‑2
for more information.
Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
In Brief 1-7
Power Seats
On vehicles with power seats, the
control is on the outboard side of
the seat.To adjust the seat:
.Move the seat forward or
rearward by sliding the control
forward or rearward.
.Raise or lower the front part of
the seat cushion by moving the
front of the control up or down.
.Raise or lower the rear part of
the seat cushion by moving the
rear of the control up or down.
See Power Seat Adjustment on
page 3‑3 for more information.
Power Lumbar and Side
Bolsters
On vehicles with power lumbar
and side bolsters, the controls are
located on the outboard side of
the seat.
To adjust the support:
.Move (A) forward or rearward to
adjust lumbar support.
.Move (B) up or down to adjust
the side bolsters.
See Lumbar Adjustment on
page 3‑6 for more information.
Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
1-8 In Brief
Reclining Seatbacks
To recline the seatback:
1. Lift the lever on the outboardside of the seat.
2. Move the seatback to the desired position, and then
release the lever to lock the
seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked.
See Reclining Seatbacks on
page 3‑6 for more information.
Heated Seats
On vehicles with heated seats, the
buttons are on the center console.
The ignition must be on for this
feature to work.
L:Press to turn on the heated
seat at the high setting.
Press again to switch to the low
setting.
9: Press to turn the system off.
See Heated Front Seats on
page 3‑8 for more information.
Memory Features
On vehicles with the memory
feature, the controls on the driver
door are used to program and recall
memory settings for the driver seat,
outside mirrors, and the telescopic
steering column.
Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
1-20 In Brief
TRIP:Press to display your total
and trip distance driven, the elapsed
time function, your average speed,
and the engine oil life.
OPTION: Press to choose personal
options that are available on your
vehicle, depending on the options
your vehicle is equipped with, such
as door locks, easy entry seats, and
language.
RESET: Press, along with the other
buttons, to reset system functions,
select personal options, and turn
off or acknowledge messages on
the DIC.
For more information, see Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑25.Vehicle Personalization
Some vehicle features can be
programmed by using the DIC
buttons on the left side of the
steering wheel. The features that
can be programmed include:
.Units
.Memory Features
.Lighting Features
.Lock and Unlock Feedback
.Door Lock and Unlock Settings
.Language
.Personalization Name
See Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑55.
Power Outlets
The accessory power outlet can be
used to plug in electrical equipment,
such as a cell phone or MP3 player.
The accessory power outlet is
located inside the center console
storage compartment, on the
forward left side.
Remove the cover to access and
replace when not in use.
See Power Outlets on page 5‑6.
Roof Panel
On vehicles with a removable
roof panel, there are three release
latches. Two are located on the front
of the roof panel and the other is
located on the back of the roof
panel. See “Removing the Roof
Panel” underRoof Panel on
page 2‑18.
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
Seats and Restraints 3-1
Seats and
Restraints
Head Restraints
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . 3-3
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Seatback Latches . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Safety Belts
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20
Safety Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . 3-21 Safety System Check . . . . . . . . 3-21
Safety Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
Replacing Safety Belt System
Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-22
Airbag System
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . 3-24
When Should an AirbagInflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-27
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
Passenger Sensing
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
Adding Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . 3-35
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . 3-36
Replacing Airbag System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-36
Child Restraints
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-37
Infants and YoungChildren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-39
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . 3-41
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH System)
(Coupe and Convertible
Models Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-43
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH System)
(Z06 and ZR1
Models Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-44
Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-48
Securing Child Restraints . . . . 3-48