2012 CHEVROLET CORVETTE C6 traction control

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Introduction v
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
%:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.: Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3: Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: LATCH System Child
Restraints
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control/Active
Handling System
M: Windshield Washer Fluid

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Trunk Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12 Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-14
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Vehicle Features
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-18
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-19
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Roof Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Convertible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control
System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-22
Z06, Z16, and ZR1 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-24
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
1-22 In Brief
Performance and
Maintenance
Traction Control
System (TCS)
The traction control system limits
wheel spin. The system turns on
automatically every time the vehicle
is started.
.To turn off traction control, press
and release the Active Handling
button located on the center
console.
iilluminates and the
appropriate DIC message
displays. See Ride Control
System Messages on page 5‑44.
.Press and release the active
handling button again to turn on
traction control.
See Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 9‑36.
The vehicle has an Active Handling
System that helps maintain
directional control of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
See
Active Handling System on
page 9‑38.
The vehicle may have
Competitive Driving Mode
(except ZR1), Performance
Traction Management (Z06, ZR1),
and Launch Control systems
designed to allow increased
performance while accelerating
and cornering. See Competitive
Driving Mode on page 9‑39.
Tire Pressure Monitor
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS warning light alerts you
to a significant loss in pressure
of one of the vehicle's tires. If the warning light comes on, stop
as soon as possible and inflate the
tires to the recommended pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See
Vehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑14. The warning
light will remain on until the tire
pressure is corrected.
During cooler conditions, the low tire
pressure warning light may appear
when the vehicle is first started and
then turn off. This may be an early
indicator that the tire pressures are
getting low and the tires need to be
inflated to the proper pressure.
The TPMS does not replace normal
monthly tire maintenance. It is the
driver ’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressures.
See Tire Pressure Monitor System
on page 10‑64.

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 (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 (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 (44,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
5-44 Instruments and Controls
Ride Control System
Messages
ACTIVE HANDLING
This message displays when the
Active Handling System is
operating. The Active Handling
System is a computer controlled
system that assists the driver in
controlling the vehicle in difficult
driving conditions. You may feel or
hear the system working and see
the ACTIVE HANDLING message
displayed in the DIC. This message
stays on for a few seconds following
the active handling event. This is
normal when the system is
operating. SeeActive Handling
System on page 9‑38 andBraking
on page 9‑4.
ACTIVE HANDLING READY
This message displays when the
functional check of the Active
Handling System has been
completed. See Active Handling
System on page 9‑38 for more
information.
COMPETITIVE DRIVING MODE
This message displays and a
sound will be heard when the
Competitive Driving mode is
selected. The instrument panel
cluster light will be on when the
Competitive Driving mode is
selected. If your vehicle is equipped
with a manual transmission,
Launch Control is available when
this mode is selected. The Traction
Control System (TCS) will not be
operating while in the Competitive
Driving mode. Adjust your driving
accordingly. This system is available
on all models except ZR1 and Z06. See
Competitive Driving Mode on
page 9‑39, including the “Launch
Control” information.
MAXIMUM SPEED 129 km/h
(80 MPH)
This message displays when a
malfunction is present in the
Selective Ride Control system.
The vehicle speed will be limited to
a value determined by the vehicle
when the shock absorber system
has failed and the shocks are in
their full soft mode. Have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer as soon as
possible.
To acknowledge the message, press
the RESET button. The message
reappears every 10 minutes until
this condition changes.