
Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
3-18 Seats and Restraints
Driver Side Shown,
Passenger Side Similar
The driver and front outboard
passenger seat-mounted side
impact airbags are in the side of
the seatbacks closest to the door.
{WARNING
If something is between an
occupant and an airbag, the
airbag might not inflate properly
or it might force the object into
that person causing severe injury
or even death. The path of an
inflating airbag must be kept
clear. Do not put anything
between an occupant and an
airbag, and do not attach or put
anything on the steering wheel
hub or on or near any other
airbag covering.
Do not use seat accessories that
block the inflation path of a
seat-mounted side impact airbag.
When Should an Airbag
Inflate?
Frontal airbags are designed to
inflate in moderate to severe frontal
or near frontal crashes to help
reduce the potential for severe
injuries mainly to the driver's or
front outboard passenger's head
and chest. However, they are only
designed to inflate if the impact
exceeds a predetermined
deployment threshold. Deployment
thresholds are used to predict how
severe a crash is likely to be in time
for the airbags to inflate and help
restrain the occupants.
Whether the frontal airbags will or
should deploy is not based primarily
on how fast the vehicle is traveling.
It depends on what is hit, the
direction of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down.

Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
3-20 Seats and Restraints
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or
near frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering
wheel or the instrument panel.
In moderate to severe side
collisions, even belted occupants
can contact the inside of the
vehicle.
Airbags supplement the protection
provided by safety belts by
distributing the force of the
impact more evenly over the
occupant's body.
But airbags would not help in
many types of collisions, primarily
because the occupant's motion is
not toward those airbags. SeeWhen
Should an Airbag Inflate? on
page 3‑18 for more information.
Airbags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement
to safety belts.
What Will You See after
an Airbag Inflates?
After the frontal and seat-mounted
side impact airbags inflate, they
quickly deflate, so quickly that some
people may not even realize the
airbags inflated. Some components
of the airbag module may be hot for
several minutes. For location of the
airbags, see Where Are the
Airbags? on page 3‑17.
The parts of the airbag that come
into contact with you may be warm,
but not too hot to touch. There may
be some smoke and dust coming
from the vents in the deflated
airbags. Airbag inflation does not
prevent the driver from seeing out of
the windshield or being able to steer
the vehicle, nor does it prevent
people from leaving the vehicle.
{WARNING
When an airbag inflates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as
it is safe to do so. If you have
breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an
airbag inflates, then get fresh air
by opening a window or a door.
If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors, turn
the interior lamps on, turn on the
hazard warning flashers, and shut

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Seats and Restraints 3-21
off the fuel system after the airbags
inflate. You can lock the doors, turn
the interior lamps off, and turn the
hazard warning flashers off by using
the controls for those features.
{WARNING
A crash severe enough to inflate
the airbags may have also
damaged important functions in
the vehicle, such as the fuel
system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle
appears to be drivable after a
moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could
make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a crash
has occurred.In many crashes severe enough to
inflate the airbag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the front outboard
passenger airbag.
.Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag
inflates, you will need some
new parts for the airbag system.
If you do not get them, the
airbag system will not be there
to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include
airbag modules and possibly
other parts. The service manual
for the vehicle covers the need
to replace other parts.
.The vehicle has a crash sensing
and diagnostic module which
records information after a
crash. See
Vehicle Data
Recording and Privacy on
page 13‑20 andEvent Data
Recorders on page 13‑20.
.Let only qualified technicians
work on the airbag system.
Improper service can mean that
the airbag system will not work
properly. See your dealer for
service.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-1
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 5-2
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 5-3
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . 5-4
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12 Boost Gauge (ZR1) . . . . . . . . . . 5-13
Engine Oil Pressure
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Voltmeter Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . 5-17
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . 5-17
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
One-to-Four Shift Light (Manual Transmission) . . . . . 5-22
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23
StabiliTrak®OFF Light . . . . . . . 5-23
Active Handling System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . 5-25
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26
Head-Up Display (HUD) . . . . . 5-31
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35
Battery Voltage and Charging Messages . . . . . . . . 5-35
Brake System Messages . . . . 5-36
Convertible Top Messages . . . 5-37
Cruise Control Messages . . . . 5-38
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . 5-38
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . 5-40
Engine Power Messages . . . . 5-41
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . 5-41
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 5-42
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-44
Safety Belt Messages . . . . . . . 5-48
Anti-theft Alarm System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-49

Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
5-26 Instruments and Controls
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC)
display is located on the instrument
panel cluster and shows driver
personalization features and
warning/status messages.
The DIC comes on when the ignition
is turned on. After displaying
CORVETTE BY CHEVROLET, the
DIC shows the information that was
last displayed before the engine
was turned off.
If a problem is detected, a warning
message appears on the DIC
display. SeeVehicle Messages on
page 5‑35 for more information.
DIC Operation and Displays
Depending on the features on the
vehicle, the drive gear may display
on the DIC. See “Manual Paddle
Shift” under Automatic Transmission on page 9‑27
andHead-Up Display
(HUD) on page 5‑31 for more
information.
The Driver Information Center (DIC)
has different modes which can be
accessed by pressing the following
buttons located on the instrument
panel, to the right of the instrument
panel cluster.. 4(Fuel): Press this button to
display fuel information such as fuel
economy and range.
2(Gauges): Press this button to
display gauge information like oil
pressure and temperature, coolant
temperature, automatic transmission
fluid temperature, if equipped,
battery voltage, and front/rear tire
pressures.
TRIP: Press this button to display
your total and trip distance driven,
the elapsed time function, your
average speed, and the engine
oil life.
OPTION: Press this button 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 this button, used
along with the other buttons, to
reset system functions, select
personal options, and turn off or
acknowledge messages on the DIC.

Black plate (38,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
5-38 Instruments and Controls
TOO COLD TO MOVE TOP
This message displays and a sound
will be heard when the power
convertible top button is pressed
and the power convertible top
pump motor temperature is below
−20°C (−4°F). Wait for the power
convertible top pump motor to
warm up before using the power
convertible top.
TOP MOTOR OVER
TEMPERATURE
This message displays and a sound
will be heard when the power
convertible top button is pressed
and the power convertible top
pump motor temperature is over
105°C (221°F). Wait for the power
convertible top pump motor to cool
down before using the power
convertible top.
TOP NOT SECURE
This message displays and a sound
will be heard when the power
convertible top button is released
before the top open or close
operation is complete or if the top is
closed without the header latch
engaged. Press and hold the
convertible top button to fully open
or close the top, and make sure that
the header latch is engaged after
the top is closed.
UNLATCH HEADER TO
MOVE TOP
This message displays and a sound
will be heard if you try to lower the
convertible top without first
unlocking the top. Move the latch
handle to unlock the convertible top.
SeeConvertible Top on page 2‑24.
Cruise Control Messages
CRUISE DISENGAGED
This message displays briefly when
you disengage the cruise control
system by stepping on the brake on
an automatic transmission vehicle or
the clutch on a manual transmission
vehicle, or by turning off the cruise
control switch. See Cruise Control
on page 9‑45 for more information.
CRUISE SET TO XXX MPH
(XXX km/h)
SeeCruise Control on page 9‑45.
Door Ajar Messages
DRIVER DOOR AJAR
This message displays if the
driver door is not closed properly.
Make sure that the door is closed
completely.

Black plate (42,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
5-42 Instruments and Controls
SERVICE FUEL SYSTEM
This message displays if the
Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
has detected a problem within the
fuel system. Have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. This
message also displays when the
cluster is not getting fuel information
from the PCM.
Key and Lock Messages
FOB AUTOLEARN WAIT
XX MINUTES
See“Matching Transmitter(s) to
Your Vehicle” underRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2‑3.
FOB BATTERY LOW
See “Battery Replacement” under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3.
KNOWN FOB
See “Matching Transmitter(s) to
Your Vehicle” underRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2‑3.
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF FOBS
LEARNED
See “Matching Transmitter(s) to
Your Vehicle” underRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2‑3.
NO FOBS DETECTED
This message displays if the vehicle
does not detect the presence of a
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter when you have
attempted to start the vehicle or
a vehicle door has just closed.
The following conditions may cause
this message to appear.
.Driver-added equipment plugged
into the accessory power outlet
on the center console is causing interference. Examples of these
devices are cell phones and cell
phone chargers, two-way radios,
power inverters, or similar items.
Try moving the RKE transmitter
away from these devices when
starting the vehicle. In addition,
PDA devices and remote garage
and gate openers may also
generate Electromagnetic
Interference (EMI) that may
interfere with the RKE
transmitter. Do not carry the
RKE transmitter in the same
pocket or bag as these devices.
.The vehicle is experiencing
Electromagnetic Interference
(EMI). Some locations, such as
airports, automatic toll booths,
and some gas stations have EMI
fields which may interfere with
the RKE transmitter.

Black plate (54,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
5-54 Instruments and Controls
Vehicle
Personalization
Many features on your vehicle can
be personalized. This means that
the operation of these features
can be set to operate differently
depending on who is driving the
vehicle. See“Personal Options”
later in this section for the features
that you can personalize.
The personalization settings for
other features are automatically
updated and saved as the driver
adjusts them. These include the
following settings and presets:
.The radio presets, tone, volume,
fade, balance, equalization (EQ)
settings, and source (radio
or CD).
.The last climate control setting.
.The Head-Up Display (HUD)
position and dimming level,
if your vehicle has this feature.
.The instrument panel cluster
dimming level and last selected
DIC display. Separate personalization settings
are saved for two different drivers.
One of the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitters is assigned to
driver 1. The other is assigned to
driver 2. The backs of the RKE
transmitters are labelled 1 or 2 to
correspond to each driver.
The current driver's preferences are
recalled when one of the following
occurs:
.The lock or unlock button on the
RKE transmitter, labelled 1 or 2,
is pressed.
.The appropriate memory
button, 1 or 2, located on
the driver door is pressed.
See
Memory Seats on page 3‑4
for more information.
.A valid RKE transmitter is
detected upon opening the
driver door. If more than one valid RKE
transmitter is detected upon
opening the driver door, the driver
preferences for the lowest driver
number will be recalled.
If an RKE transmitter that is not
labelled 1 or 2 is used, the
personalization system will not
recognize the transmitter. The Driver
Information Center (DIC) will not
display a current driver number and
the features that are normally
programmed through the DIC will be
set to the default states. Also, if the
OPTION button is pressed, the DIC
does not display the menus used to
set personalizations, but instead
displays OPTIONS UNAVAILABLE
for a few seconds.