2012 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C6 traction control

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.

Black plate (42,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
9-42 Driving and Operating
Launch Control
A Launch Control feature is
available, within Competitive Driving
Mode (except ZR1) or Performance
Traction Management (Z06, 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.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 (Z06, 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 (Z06, 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.

Black plate (43,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-43
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
Except ZR1
This knob is located on the center
console. Turn it to select the
suspension of your choice.
TOUR:Use for normal city and
highway driving. This setting
provides a smooth, soft ride.
SPORT: Use where road conditions
or personal preference demand
more control. This setting provides
more “feel,” or response to the road
conditions. The setting can be changed at any
time. Based on road conditions,
steering wheel angle, and the
vehicle speed, the system
automatically adjusts to provide the
best handling while providing a
smooth ride. The Tour and Sport
modes will feel similar on a smooth
road. Select a new setting whenever
driving conditions change.
Three Driver Information
Center (DIC) messages (SERVICE
RIDE CONTROL, SHOCKS
INOPERATIVE, and MAXIMUM
SPEED 129 KM/H (80 MPH) display
when a malfunction occurs with the
Selective Ride Control system.
Refer to
Ride Control System
Messages on page 5‑44 for more
information.

Black plate (44,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
9-44 Driving and Operating
ZR1 or Z06 with PTM
This knob is located on the center
console. Turn it to select the
suspension of your choice.
The knob will return to the
center position when released.
The switch will illuminate the
current suspension setting.TOUR:
Use for normal city and
highway driving. This setting
provides a smooth, soft ride.
SPORT: Use where road conditions
or personal preference demand
more control. This setting provides
more “feel,” or response to the road
conditions.
The setting can be changed at any
time. Based on road conditions,
steering wheel angle, and the
vehicle speed, the system
automatically adjusts to provide the
best handling while providing a
smooth ride. The Tour and Sport
modes will feel similar on a smooth
road. Select a new setting whenever
driving conditions change.
The Selective Ride knob will not
display the Tour or Sport setting
when the Performance Traction
Management mode is selected. When this mode is selected,
turning the Selective Ride knob
will change the Performance
Traction Management mode and
the suspension setting will be
determined automatically.
See
Competitive Driving Mode on
page 9‑39 for more information.
Three Driver Information Center
(DIC) messages (SERVICE
RIDE CONTROL, SHOCKS
INOPERATIVE, and MAXIMUM
SPEED 129 KM/H (80 MPH) display
when a malfunction occurs with the
Selective Ride Control system.
Refer to Ride Control System
Messages on page 5‑44 for more
information.

Black plate (45,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-45
Cruise Control
With cruise control, a speed of
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more can
be maintained without keeping your
foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below about 40 km/h (25 mph).
Cruise control will not work if the
parking brake is set, or if the master
cylinder brake fluid level is low.
{WARNING
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. So, do not use
the cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.If the vehicle is in cruise control,
and has the Traction Control
System (TCS), and it begins to limit
wheel spin, the cruise control
automatically disengages. See
Traction Control System (TCS) on
page 9‑36. When road conditions
allow the cruise control to be safely
used again, it can be turned
back on.
The vehicle has cruise control.
9(Off):
Turns the system off.
R(On):Turns the system on.
S(Resume/Accelerate): Makes
the vehicle accelerate or resume a
previously set speed.
T(Set): Press this button at the
end of the lever to set the speed. Setting Cruise Control
If the cruise button is on when not in
use, it could get bumped and go into
cruise when not desired. Keep the
cruise control switch off when cruise
is not being used.
1. Move the cruise control switch
to on.
2. Get up to the speed desired.
3. Press
Tat the end of the lever
and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
When the cruise control is
engaged, the CRUISE SET TO
XXX MPH message displays on the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
See Cruise Control Messages on
page 5‑38.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-3
California Proposition
65 Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this
one, contain and/or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and systems,
many fluids, and some component
wear by-products contain and/or
emit these chemicals.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, safety belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non‐dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride and
handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non‐GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with
other systems on the vehicle.
See your dealer to accessorize
the vehicle using genuine GM
Accessories installed by a dealer
technician.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 3‑27.

Black plate (70,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
10-70 Vehicle Care
The rubber in tires ages over time.
This also applies for the spare tire,
if the vehicle has one, even if it is
never used. Multiple conditions
including temperatures, loading
conditions, and inflation pressure
maintenance affect how fast aging
takes place. Tires will typically
need to be replaced due to wear
before they may need to be
replaced due to age. Consult the tire
manufacturer for more information
on when tires should be replaced.
Vehicle Storage
Tires age when stored normally
mounted on a parked vehicle.
Park a vehicle that will be stored for
at least a month in a cool, dry, clean
area away from direct sunlight to
slow aging. This area should be
free of grease, gasoline, or other
substances that can deteriorate
rubber.Parking for an extended period can
cause flat spots on the tires that
may result in vibrations while
driving. When storing a vehicle for
at least a month, remove the tires
or raise the vehicle to reduce the
weight from the tires.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
specific tires for the vehicle.
The original equipment tires
installed were designed to meet
General Motors Tire Performance
Criteria Specification (TPC Spec)
system rating. When replacement
tires are needed, GM strongly
recommends buying tires with the
same TPC Spec rating.
GM's exclusive TPC Spec system
considers over a dozen critical
specifications that impact the
overall performance of the
vehicle, including brake systemperformance, ride and handling,
traction control, and tire pressure
monitoring performance. GM's TPC
Spec number is molded onto the
tire's sidewall near the tire size.
If the tires have an all‐season tread
design, the TPC Spec number will
be followed by MS for mud and
snow. See
Tire Sidewall Labeling on
page 10‑58, for additional
information.
GM recommends replacing all the
tires at the same time. Uniform
tread depth on all tires will help to
maintain the performance of the
vehicle. Braking and handling
performance may be adversely
affected if all the tires are not
replaced at the same time.
See Tire Inspection on page 10‑68
and Tire Rotation on page 10‑68.