2012 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C6 service

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
5-22 Instruments and Controls
If the light comes on while driving
and a CHECK BRAKE FLUID
message shows on the DIC, pull off
the road and stop carefully. The
pedal may be harder to push or the
pedal may go closer to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the
light is still on, have the vehicle
towed for service. SeeTowing the
Vehicle on page 10‑82 andBrake
System Messages on page 5‑36 for
more information.
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
For vehicles with the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light comes on
briefly when the engine is started. If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the
ignition off. If the light comes on
while driving, stop as soon as it is
safely possible and turn the ignition
off. Then start the engine again to
reset the system. If the ABS light
stays on, or comes on again while
driving, the vehicle needs service.
If the regular brake system warning
light is not on, the vehicle still has
brakes, but not antilock brakes.
If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, the vehicle does not
have antilock brakes and there is a
problem with the regular brakes.
See
Brake System Warning Light on
page 5‑21.
One-to-Four Shift Light
(Manual Transmission)
When this light comes on, the
vehicle can only be shifted from
1 (First) to 4 (Fourth) instead of
1 (First) to 2 (Second).
The shift must be completed into
4 (Fourth) to turn off this feature.
This helps the vehicle get the best
possible fuel economy.
After shifting to 4 (Fourth), the
vehicle can be downshifted to a
lower gear.
Notice: Forcing the shift lever
into any gear except 4 (Fourth)
when the 1 TO 4 SHIFT light
comes on may damage the
transmission. Shift only from
1 (First) to 4 (Fourth) when the
light comes on.

Black plate (23,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-23
This light comes on when:
.The engine coolant temperature
is higher than 76°C (169°F).
.The vehicle is going 24 to
31 km/h (15 to 19 mph).
.The vehicle is at 21 percent
throttle or less.
Traction Off Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer. If the system is working
normally, the indicator light then
turns off.
The traction off light comes on when
the Traction Control System (TCS)
has been turned off by pressing and
releasing the traction control button.This light and the Active Handling
light come on when Active Handling
is turned off.
If the TCS is off, wheelspin is not
limited. Adjust driving accordingly.
See
Active Handling System on
page 9‑38 andTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 9‑36 for
more information.
StabiliTrak®OFF Light
This light comes on briefly as the
engine is started. If the light does
not, have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer. If the system is working
normally the light goes off. This light also comes on while the
vehicle is in the Competitive
Driving Mode.
For the ZR1 this light comes on
when Performance Traction mode is
activated, along with DIC messages
for the five traction modes.
This light comes on when the
Active Handling system is turned
off. If Active Handling is off, the
Traction Control System (TCS) is
also off.
If the TCS is off, the system does
not assist in controlling the vehicle.
Turn on the TCS and the Active
Handling systems and the warning
light turns off.
See
Active Handling System on
page 9‑38 andTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 9‑36 for
more information.

Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
5-24 Instruments and Controls
Active Handling System
Light
The Active Handling System light
comes on briefly while starting the
engine. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the light stays on or comes on
while driving, a chime sounds and a
SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING
SYSTEM message appears on the
DIC and the vehicle need service.
When the Active Handling System
is turned off, the light comes on,
a chime sounds, and the
TRACTION SYSTEM AND ACTIVE
HANDLING–OFF message
displays in the DIC. The Traction Control System is off and the
Active Handling System does not
assist with controlling the vehicle.
When the Active Handling System is
turned back on, the light turns off, a
chime sounds, and the TRACTION
SYSTEM AND ACTIVE
HANDLING–
ON message displays
in the DIC.
See Ride Control System Messages
on page 5‑44 for more information.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this light
comes on briefly when the engine is
started. It provides information
about tire pressures and the TPMS. When the Light Is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are significantly
underinflated.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
tire pressure message may also
display. See
Vehicle Messages on
page 5‑35 for more information.
Stop as soon as possible, and
inflate the tires to the pressure value
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See Tire Pressure
on page 10‑62 for more information.
When the Light Flashes First and
Then Is On Steady
If the light flashes for about a minute
and then stays on, there may be a
problem with the TPMS. If the
problem is not corrected, the light
will come on at every ignition
cycle. See Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation on page 10‑66 for more
information.

Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-25
Security Light
The security light should come on
briefly as the engine is started. If the
system is working normally, the
indicator light turns off. If it does not
come on, have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer.
If the light stays on and the engine
does not start, there could be a
problem with the theft-deterrent
system.
This light is also used to indicate the
status of the anti-theft alarm system
when the ignition is turned off. The
light will flash rapidly if the alarm
system is arming and one or more
of the monitored entry points is not
closed. The light will stay on if the
alarm is arming and all entry points
are closed.For information regarding this light
and the vehicle's security system,
see
Anti-theft Alarm System on
page 2‑14.
High-Beam On Light
This light comes on when the
high-beam headlamps are in use.
See Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer on page 6‑2 for more
information.
Front Fog Lamp Light
The fog lamp light comes on when
the fog lamps are in use. The light goes out when the fog
lamps are turned off. See
Fog
Lamps on page 6‑5 for more
information.
Lamps On Reminder
This light comes on whenever the
parking lamps are on.
See Exterior Lamps Off Reminder
on page 6‑2 for more information.

Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
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 9‑35for 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 10‑34.
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

Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-37
have ABS. If the regular brake
system warning light is also on,
you do not have ABS and there
is a problem with the brakes.
SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on page 5‑22 and
Brake System Warning Light on
page 5‑21.
If this message is displayed, the
Traction Control System (TCS) and
the Active Handling System will also
be disabled. The DIC will scroll
three messages: SERVICE
ANTILOCK BRAKES, SERVICE
TRACTION SYSTEM, and
SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING, and
the instrument panel cluster lights
will come on along with a sound.
When the service message is
displayed, the computer controlled
systems will not assist the driver.
Have the system repaired by your
dealer as soon as possible. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
To acknowledge these messages,
press the RESET button.Convertible Top
Messages
ATTACH TRUNK PARTITION
If the vehicle has a power
convertible top, this message
displays and a sound will be heard
if the trunk partition is not in place.
Open the hatch/trunk and make
sure the trunk partition is secure
and no objects are on the trunk
partition. See Rear Storage on
page 4‑1 for more information.
CLOSE TRUNK TO MOVE TOP
This message displays and a sound
will be heard if the trunk is open
while you are trying to operate the
convertible top. Make sure the trunk
is closed before operating the
convertible top. See Convertible Top
on page 2‑24.
SET PARK BRAKE TO
MOVE TOP
If the vehicle has a manual
transmission, this message displays
and a sound will be heard if you try
to operate the power convertible top
without first setting the parking
brake. Set the parking brake
before trying to operate the power
convertible top. See Convertible Top
on page 2‑24 for more information.
SHIFT TO PARK OR SET PARK
BRAKE FOR TOP
If the vehicle has an automatic
transmission, this message displays
and a sound will be heard if you try
to operate the power convertible top
without first shifting into P (Park) or
setting the parking brake. Either
shift the vehicle into P (Park) or set
the parking brake before trying to
operate the power convertible top.
SeeConvertible Top on page 2‑24
for more information.

Black plate (39,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-39
HATCH AJAR (Coupe)
This message displays when the
hatch is not closed completely.
Make sure that the hatch is closed
completely. SeeHatch on page 2‑11
for more information.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR
This message displays if the
passenger door is not closed
properly. Make sure that the door is
closed completely.
TONNEAU AJAR (Convertible)
This message displays when the
convertible top is not closed
completely. Make sure that the
top is closed completely. See
Convertible Top on page 2‑24 for
more information.
TRUNK AJAR (Convertible)
This message displays when the
trunk is not closed completely.
Make sure that the trunk is closed
completely. See Hatch on page 2‑11
for more information.
Engine Cooling System
Messages
CHECK COOLANT LEVEL
This message displays when
the engine coolant level is low.
Have the cooling system serviced
by your dealer as soon as possible.
See Engine Coolant on page 10‑26.
COOLANT OVER
TEMPERATURE
This message displays and a sound
will be heard if the engine coolant
exceeds 124°C (255°F). If you have
been operating the vehicle under
normal driving conditions, pull off
the road, stop the vehicle, and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
You can monitor the coolant
temperature with the gauges
button on the DIC or the engine
coolant temperature gauge on
the instrument panel cluster. See
Engine Overheating on
page 10‑30, Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑26, and
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
on page 5‑16.
To acknowledge the message, press
the RESET button. The message
and sound will come back on until
this condition changes. If you do not
press the RESET button, the
message remains on until the
condition changes.ENGINE OVERHEATED –
STOP ENGINE
This message displays and a sound
will be heard when the engine has
overheated. Stop and turn the
engine off immediately to avoid
severe engine damage. See Engine
Overheating on page 10‑30.

Black plate (40,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
5-40 Instruments and Controls
ENGINE PROTECTION
REDUCE ENGINE RPM
This message displays if the engine
oil temperature exceeds 160°C
(320°F). Check the engine coolant
temperature and engine oil level.
If the engine is too hot, seeEngine
Overheating on page 10‑30.
The vehicle may need service, so
see your dealer.
You can monitor the oil temperature
with the gauges button on the DIC.
See Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5‑26.
Multiple chimes sound when
this message is displayed. This
message remains displayed and
active until the issue is resolved.
HOT ENGINE AIR
CONDITIONING OFF
This message displays when the
engine coolant becomes hotter than
the normal operating temperature. To avoid added strain on a hot
engine, the air conditioning
compressor is automatically turned
off. When the coolant temperature
returns to normal, the A/C operation
automatically resumes. You can
continue to drive the vehicle. If this
message continues to appear, have
the system repaired by your dealer
as soon as possible to avoid
compressor damage.
Engine Oil Messages
CHANGE ENGINE OIL
This message displays when the
life of the engine oil has expired.
See
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3. After an oil change, the
engine oil life system must be reset.
See “Engine Oil Life” underDriver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑26. Also, see Engine Oil on
page 10‑14 andEngine Oil Life
System on page 10‑19 for more
information.
CHECK OIL LEVEL
On some vehicles, this message
displays and two chimes sound if
the oil level in the vehicle is low.
Once the vehicle senses a change
in the engine oil level, the light
remains off.
If this message appears after
starting the engine, the engine oil
level may be too low. You may need
to add oil. See Engine Overheating
on page 10‑30.
To acknowledge the message, press
the RESET button. The message
reappears every 10 minutes until
this condition changes.
LOW OIL PRESSURE
This message displays if low oil
pressure levels occur. If this
message appears while the engine
is running, stop the engine and do
not operate it until the cause of low
oil pressure is corrected. Severe
damage to the engine can result.