2012 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C6 sport mode

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Introduction iii
The names, logos, emblems,
slogans, vehicle model names,
and vehicle body designs appearing
in this manual including, but not
limited to, GM, the GM logo,
CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET
Emblem, CORVETTE, CORVETTE
GRAND SPORT, Z06, and ZR1
are trademarks and/or service
marks of General Motors LLC, its
subsidiaries, affiliates, or licensors.This manual describes features that
may or may not be on your specific
vehicle either because they are
options that you did not purchase or
due to changes subsequent to the
printing of this owner manual.
Please refer to the purchase
documentation relating to your
specific vehicle to confirm each of
the features found on your vehicle.
For vehicles first sold in Canada,
substitute the name
“General
Motors of Canada Limited” for
Chevrolet Motor Division wherever
it appears in this manual.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for
quick reference.
Canadian Vehicle Owners
Propriétaires Canadiens
A French language copy of this
manual can be obtained from your
dealer or from:
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de
ce guide en français auprès du
concessionnaire ou à l'adresse
suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
Numéro de poste 6438 de langue
française
www.helminc.com
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 20905002 B Second Printing©2011 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
1-16 In Brief
Transmission
Manual Paddle Shift
(Automatic Transmission)
The Manual Paddle Shift system
can be used in D (Drive) or
S (Sport Mode). The system is
activated by pushing the paddle,
above the steering wheel spokes,
to manually up-shift to the next
gear, or pulling on the paddle,
behind the steering wheel
spokes to manually down-shift.The current gear will be displayed
in the Driver Information (DIC),
or the Head-Up Display (HUD),
if the vehicle has either of these
features.
The Manual Paddle Shift system
can be deactivated by moving the
shift lever from S (Sport Mode)
back to D (Drive), or by holding
the up‐shift paddle for more than
one second. If the shift lever was in
D (Drive) when the system was
activated, the transmission will
return to automatic shifting after
10 seconds of cruising at a steady
speed and no manual shifts,
or when the vehicle comes to
a stop.
The Manual Paddle Shift system
will not allow either an up-shift or a
down-shift, if the vehicle speed is
too fast or too slow, nor will it
allow a start from 4 (Fourth) or
higher gear.
See
Manual Mode on page 9‑29.
One to Four Shift Light
(Manual Transmission)
On vehicles with a manual
transmission, when this light
comes on, you can only shift
from 1 (First) to 4 (Fourth) instead
of 1 (First) to 2 (Second).
For more information about shifting
for the best fuel economy, see
Manual Transmission on page 9‑32.

Black plate (23,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-23
Z06, Z16, and ZR1
Features
Checking Engine Oil
Z06, ZR1, and manual transmission
Z16 (Grand Sport) coupe models
have a high performance dry sump
lubrication system. This system
operates differently than a
standard engine lubrication system.
SeeEngine Oil on page 10‑14.
You should check the oil level
only after the engine has been
thoroughly warmed up and then
shut off for at least five minutes.
This ensures that the oil level
reading obtained will be accurate. Jump Starting the Battery
The battery of Z06, ZR1, and
manual transmission Z16 (Grand
Sport) coupe models is in the rear
of the vehicle. You do not need to
access the battery for jump starting.
There are remote positive (+) and
negative (−) terminals under the
hood for this purpose. See
Battery
on page 10‑40 andJump Starting
on page 10‑78.
Brake Noise
Under certain weather or operating
conditions, occasional brake noise
might be heard with the vehicle's
performance braking system.
This brake system is designed for
superior fade resistance and
consistent operation using high
performance brake pads. Brake
noise is normal and does not affect
system performance. See Braking
on page 9‑4. Car Wash Guidelines
Automatic car washes are not
recommended for this vehicle.
Some car washes cause damage to
the vehicle, the wheels, and the
convertible top, if the vehicle is so
equipped.
If you drive the vehicle through an
automatic car wash that does not
have enough clearance for the
undercarriage and/or wide rear tires
and wheels, you could damage the
vehicle. Verify with the manager of
the car wash that the vehicle will fit
before entering the car wash or use
a touchless car wash. See
“Washing
Your Vehicle” underExterior Care
on page 10‑82.

Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
1-24 In Brief
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates
engine oil life based on vehicle use
and displays a DIC message when
it is necessary to change the engine
oil and filter. The oil life system
should be reset to 100% only
following an oil change.
Resetting the Oil Life System
1. Press the TRIP button so theOIL LIFE percentage is
displayed.
2. Press RESET and hold for two seconds. OIL LIFE
REMAINING 100% will appear.
See Engine Oil Life System on
page 10‑19.
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
.When road and weather
conditions are appropriate,
use cruise control, if equipped.
.Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
.Combine several trips into a
single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Premium Fuel
This vehicle's engine was designed
to use premium unleaded gasoline.
See Recommended Fuel on
page 9‑48.
Battery
This vehicle has a maintenance free
battery. See Battery on page 10‑40
and Jump Starting on page 10‑78.
For Z06, ZR1, and manual
transmission Z16 (Grand Sport)
coupe models the battery is
located in the rear hatch/trunk
area. Access to the battery is
not necessary to jump start the
vehicle. There are positive (+) and
negative (−) terminals in the engine
compartment.

Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Seats and Restraints 3-35
In some areas of the United States
and Canada, Certified Child
Passenger Safety Technicians
(CPSTs) are available to inspect
and demonstrate how to correctly
use and install child restraints.
In the U.S., refer to the National
Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) website to
locate the nearest child safety seat
inspection station. For CPST
availability in Canada, check with
Transport Canada or the Provincial
Ministry of Transportation office.
Securing the Child Within the
Child Restraint
{WARNING
A child can be seriously injured
or killed in a crash if the child is
not properly secured in the
child restraint. Secure the child
properly following the instructions
that came with that child restraint.
Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children
(LATCH System)
(Coupe and Convertible
Models Only)
Some child restraints have a
LATCH system. As part of the
LATCH system, your child restraint
may have lower attachments and/or
a top tether. The LATCH system
can help hold the child restraint in
place during driving or in a crash.
Some vehicles have lower and/or
top tether anchors designed to
secure a child restraint with lower
attachments and/or a top tether.
Some child restraints with a top
tether are designed to be used
whether the top tether is anchored
or not. Other child restraints require
that the top tether be anchored.
A national or local law may require
that the top tether be anchored.In Canada, the law requires that
forward-facing child restraints have
a top tether, and that the tether be
attached.
Your vehicle does not have lower
anchors or top tether anchors to
secure a child restraint with the
LATCH system. If a national or
local law requires that your top
tether be anchored, do not use a
child restraint in this vehicle
because a top tether cannot be
properly anchored. You must use
the safety belts to secure your child
restraint in this vehicle, unless a
national or local law requires that
the top tether be anchored. Refer to
the child restraint instructions and
instructions in this manual for
securing a child restraint using the
vehicle's safety belts. See
Securing
Child Restraints on page 3‑40.

Black plate (45,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Instruments and Controls 5-45
PERF TRAC 1–WET ACTIVE
HANDLING ON
This message displays and a sound
will be heard when this Performance
Traction Management mode is
selected. The instrument panel
cluster light will also be on when
this mode is selected. Launch
Control is available when this mode
is selected. In this mode the
Traction Control and Active
Handling System are available but
intended for use on wet race track
conditions. Adjust your driving
accordingly. This system is available
only on ZR1 and Z06 models.
See “Performance Traction
Management” and“Launch Control”
under Competitive Driving Mode on
page 9‑39 for more information
about the use of this mode.
PERF TRAC 2 –DRY ACTIVE
HANDLING ON
This message displays and a sound
will be heard when this Performance
Traction Management mode is
selected. The instrument panel
cluster light will also be on when
this mode is selected. Launch
Control is available when this
mode is selected. In this mode the
Traction Control and Active
Handling System are available but
intended for use on dry race track
conditions. Adjust your driving
accordingly. This system is available
only on ZR1 and Z06 models.
See “Performance Traction
Management” and“Launch Control”
under Competitive Driving Mode on
page 9‑39 for more information
about the use of this mode.
PERF TRAC 3 –SPORT
ACTIVE HANDLING ON
This message displays and a sound
will be heard when this Performance
Traction Management mode is
selected. The instrument panel
cluster light will also be on when
this mode is selected. Launch
Control is available when this
mode is selected. In this mode
the Traction Control and Active
Handling System are available but
intended for use on dry race track
conditions. Adjust your driving
accordingly. This system is available
only on ZR1 and Z06 models.
See “Performance Traction
Management” and“Launch Control”
under Competitive Driving Mode on
page 9‑39 for more information
about the use of this mode.

Black plate (46,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
5-46 Instruments and Controls
PERF TRAC 4–SPORT
ACTIVE HANDLING OFF
This message displays and a sound
will be heard when this Performance
Traction Management mode is
selected. The instrument panel
cluster light will also be on when
this mode is selected. Launch
Control is available when this mode
is selected. In this mode the
Traction Control is available but
intended for use on dry race track
conditions. The Active Handling
System is disabled when this mode
is selected. This mode will require
more driver skill than modes 1-3.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
This system is available only
on ZR1 and Z06 models.
See “Performance Traction
Management” and“Launch Control”
under Competitive Driving Mode on
page 9‑39 for more information
about the use of this mode.
PERF TRAC 5 –RACE ACTIVE
HANDLING OFF
This message displays and a sound
will be heard when this Performance
Traction Management mode is
selected. The instrument panel
cluster light will also be on when
this mode is selected. Launch
Control is available when this mode
is selected. In this mode the
Traction Control is available but
intended for use on dry race track
conditions. The Active Handling
System is disabled when this
mode is selected. This mode will
require more driver skill than
modes 1-4. Adjust your driving
accordingly. This system is available
only on ZR1 and Z06 models.
See “Performance Traction
Management” and“Launch Control”
under Competitive Driving Mode on
page 9‑39 for more information
about the use of this mode.
SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING
SYSTEM
This message displays if there is a
problem with the Active Handling
System and the vehicle needs
service. The active handling system
light on the instrument panel cluster
also turns on and a sound will be
heard. See your dealer. When this
message is displayed, the system is
not working. Adjust your driving
accordingly. See Active Handling
System on page 9‑38 for more
information.
SERVICE RIDE CONTROL
This message displays when the
Selective Ride Control system has
detected a malfunction and the
system must be serviced.
See your dealer. If a fault is
present in the Selective Ride
Control system which causes the
shocks to be in their full soft
condition, the messages SERVICE
RIDE CONTROL, SHOCKS

Black plate (52,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
5-52 Instruments and Controls
SeeRun-Flat Tires on page 10‑56,
Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑14,
Tire Pressure on page 10‑62, and
Tire Pressure Monitor System on
page 10‑64. The DIC also shows
the tire pressure values. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑26.
To acknowledge the message, press
the RESET button. A message
reappears every 10 minutes until the
condition is corrected.
Transmission Messages
SERVICE TRANSMISSION
This message displays when there
is a problem with the transmission.
See your dealer for service.
SHIFT TO PARK
If the vehicle has an automatic
transmission, this message displays
if the vehicle is not in P (Park) when
the engine is being turned off. The vehicle will be in ACCESSORY.
Once the shift lever is moved to
P (Park), the vehicle will turn off.
The vehicle will remain in
ACCESSORY, without the 20 minute
time-out period, until the shift lever
is moved to P (Park) or until the
driver presses the pushbutton to
restart the vehicle. See
Ignition
Positions on page 9‑20 for more
information.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays and four
chimes sound if the transmission
fluid temperature rises above
132°C (270°F) or rises rapidly.
The transmission may shift gears
or apply the torque converter clutch
to reduce the fluid temperature.
Driving aggressively or driving
on long hills can cause the
transmission fluid temperature to be
higher than normal. If this message
appears, you may continue to drive at a slower speed. Monitor the
transmission fluid temperature and
allow it to cool to at least 110°C
(230°F). The transmission fluid
temperature can be monitored with
the gauges button on the DIC.
See
“DIC Operation and Displays”
under Driver Information Center
(DIC) on page 5‑26 andAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 10‑20.
Also check the engine coolant
temperature. If it is also hot, see
Engine Overheating on page 10‑30.
If this message is displayed during
normal vehicle operation on flat
roads, the vehicle may need
service. See your dealer for an
inspection.
If driving in a performance or
competitive manner, the use of
(S) Sport Automatic Mode or
(S) Sport Manual Paddle Shift
gear selection is recommended.
See Automatic Transmission on
page 9‑27 for more information.