2012 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C6 center console

Black plate (48,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
5-48 Instruments and Controls
TRACTION SYSTEM AND
ACTIVE HANDLING–ON
If the Traction Control System (TCS)
and Active Handling System are off,
this message displays briefly, the
instrument panel cluster light turns
off, and a sound will be heard when
the TCS and Active Handling
System are turned on by briefly
pressing the Active Handling
System button on the center
console. See Traction Control
System (TCS) on page 9‑36 and
Active Handling System on
page 9‑38 for more information.
TRACTION SYSTEM –OFF
This message displays and stays
on, a sound will be heard, when the
TCS is turned off by pressing the
Active Handling System button on
the center console. See Traction
Control System (TCS) on page 9‑36
for more information.
To acknowledge the message,
press the RESET button.
TRACTION SYSTEM –ON
This message displays and a
sound will be heard when the
Traction Control System (TCS) is
turned on by pressing the Active
Handling System button on the
center console. This message
automatically clears from the DIC
display on its own. See Traction
Control System (TCS) on page 9‑36
for more information.
Safety Belt Messages
BUCKLE PASSENGER
This message reminds you to
buckle the passenger's safety belt.
This message displays and a sound
will be heard when the ignition is on,
the driver's safety belt is buckled,
the passenger's safety belt is
unbuckled with the passenger
airbag enabled, and the vehicle is
in motion. You should have the
passenger buckle their safety belt. The reminder will be repeated if the
ignition is on, the vehicle is in
motion, the driver is buckled, the
passenger is still unbuckled, and the
passenger airbag is enabled. If the
passenger's safety belt is already
buckled, this message will not
come on.
BUCKLE SEATBELT
This message reminds you to
buckle the driver's safety belt.
This message displays and a
sound will be heard when the
ignition is on, the driver's safety belt
is unbuckled, and the vehicle is in
motion. You should buckle your
safety belt.
If the driver remains unbuckled
when the ignition is on and the
vehicle is in motion, the reminder
will be repeated. If the driver's
safety belt is already buckled,
this message will not come on.

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Lighting 6-7
Battery Power Protection
This vehicle has a feature to help
prevent the battery from being
drained in case any of the following
lamps are left on: the underhood
lamp, if your vehicle has this
feature, vanity mirror lamps,
cargo lamps, reading lamps, center
console, or glove box lamps. If any
of these lamps are left on, they will
automatically time-out after about
10 minutes. To reset it, all of the
above lamps must be turned off or
the ignition key on.
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver
If the manual parking lamps or
headlamps have been left on,
the exterior lamps will turn off as
soon as the ignition is turned off or
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
is active. This protects against
draining the battery in case you
have accidentally left the headlamps
or parking lamps on. The battery
saver does not work if the
headlamps are turned on after the
ignition switch is turned to off.
If you need to leave the lamps on,
use the exterior lamp control to turn
the lamps back on.

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
8-6 Climate Controls
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a
warming grid to remove fog or frost
from the rear window.
The rear window defogger only
works when the engine is running.
=(Rear Window Defogger):
Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. Be sure to clear
as much snow from the rear window
as possible. An indicator light
comes on to show that the rear
window defogger is on.
The rear window defogger turns off
about 10 minutes after the button is
pressed when traveling less than
48 km/h (30 mph). If turned on
again, the defogger only runs for
about five minutes before turning
off. The defogger can also be turned
off by turning off the engine. The vehicle has heated outside
rearview mirrors. The mirrors will
heat to help clear fog or frost from
the surface of the mirrors when the
rear window defogger button is
pressed.
For vehicles with a power
convertible top, the rear window
defogger and heated mirrors are
automatically disabled when the
power convertible top is moving
or down.
Notice:
Do not use anything
sharp on the inside of the rear
window. If you do, you could cut
or damage the warming grid, and
the repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
attach a temporary vehicle
license, tape, a decal, or anything
similar to the defogger grid.
Air Vents
Use the tab located on the air
outlets to change the direction of
the airflow.
Operation Tips
.Clear away any ice, snow,
or leaves from the air inlets at
the base of the windshield that
may block the flow of air into the
vehicle.
.Use of non-GM approved hood
deflectors may adversely affect
the performance of the system.
.Keep the area around the base
of the center stack console and
air path under the seats clear of
objects to help circulate the air
inside of the vehicle more
effectively.

Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
9-36 Driving and Operating
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.
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. See Ride
Control System Messages on
page 5‑44. The system may be
heard or felt while it is working, but
this is normal.

Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-37
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. SeeCruise Control on
page 9‑45.
The SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM
message and the Active Handling
System 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. 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
Active Handling button located on
the center console.
The Traction Off light comes on.
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 accessories can
affect the vehicle's performance.
See Accessories and Modifications
on page 10‑3 for more information.

Black plate (38,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
9-38 Driving and Operating
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. SeeRide 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 on
the DIC, the Active Handling System 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.
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
center console until TRACTION
SYSTEM AND ACTIVE HANDLING
SYSTEM —OFF is displayed on
the DIC.
The StabiliTrak Off light will
come on.
The system can be turned back on
at any time by pressing the Active
Handling button. The DIC will
display the appropriate message
when the button is pushed.

Black plate (40,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
9-40 Driving and Operating
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 center
console quickly two times.
COMPETITIVE DRIVING MODE
displays in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). SeeRide 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 (Z06, 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.
This optional handling mode can be
selected by pressing the Active
Handling button on the center
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 center
console.

Black plate (41,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-41
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
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.