2012 CHEVROLET CORVETTE wheel

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-19
Steering Wheel Controls
For vehicles with steering wheel
controls, some audio controls can
be adjusted at the steering wheel.
bg: Press to turn on and off the
vehicle speakers. Press and hold
longer than two seconds to interact
with the OnStar
®or Bluetooth
systems.
c: Press to reject an incoming
call, or to end a call.
e+ /e− : Press to Increase or
decrease volume.
w/x: Press to change radio
stations or select tracks on a CD.
1 to 6: Press to play stations that
are programmed on the radio preset
pushbuttons.
For more information, see Steering
Wheel Controls on page 5‑3.
Cruise Control
The cruise controls are located at
the end of the multifunction lever.
9: Turns the system off.
R:Turns the system on.
S:Makes the vehicle accelerate
or resume a previously set speed.
T: Press the button at the end of
the lever to set the speed.
See Cruise Control on page 9‑45.
Navigation System
If the vehicle has a navigation
system, there is a separate
navigation system manual that
includes information on the radio,
audio players, and navigation
system.
The navigation system provides
detailed maps of most major
freeways and roads. After a
destination has been set, the
system provides turn-by-turn
instructions for reaching the
destination. In addition, the system
can help locate a variety of points of
interest (POIs), such as banks,
airports, restaurants, and more.
See the navigation system manual
for more information.

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-21
Power Outlets
The accessory power outlet can be
used to plug in electrical equipment,
such as a cell phone or MP3 player.
The accessory power outlet is
located inside the center console
storage compartment, on the
forward left side.
Remove the cover to access and
replace when not in use.
SeePower Outlets on page 5‑6.
Roof Panel
On vehicles with a removable roof
panel, there are three release
latches. Two are located on the front
of the roof panel and the other is
located on the back of the roof
panel. See “Removing the Roof
Panel” underRoof Panel on
page 2‑20. Until you are sure you can remove
the roof panel by yourself, have
someone help you. Once removed,
the roof panel should always be
stored properly in the rear storage
compartment.
For more information:
.See
“Storing the Roof Panel”
under Roof Panel on page 2‑20.
.See“Installing the Roof Panel”
under Roof Panel on page 2‑20.
Convertible
If equipped, the convertible top can
be lowered and stowed under the
tonneau cover behind the rear seat.
For step-by-step instructions, see
Convertible Top on page 2‑24.
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
console.
iilluminates and the
appropriate DIC message
displays. See Ride Control
System Messages on page 5‑45.
.Press and release the active
handling button again to turn on
traction control.
See Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 9‑36.

Black plate (23,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-23
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. SeeBattery
on page 10‑43 andJump Starting
on page 10‑82.
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 10‑86.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 the OIL 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 10‑22.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
2-4 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Keyless Trunk Opening
Press the hatch/trunk release button
located on the rear of the hatch/
trunk lid above the license plate
to open the trunk if the RKE
transmitter is within range.
SeeHatch on page 2‑11 for
additional information.
There are other conditions that can
affect the performance of the
transmitter. See Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on page 2‑3.
This vehicle comes with two
transmitters.
Q(Lock): Press once to lock the
doors. When
Qis pressed twice,
the lights flash and the horn sounds
to confirm locking.
K(Unlock): Press once to unlock
only the driver door. Press
Ktwice
within five seconds to unlock both
doors. The interior lamps may
come on.
Pressing
Kalso recalls the
memory settings. See “Memory
Seat, Mirrors, and Steering Wheel”
under Power Seat Adjustment on
page 3‑3 for more information.
}(Hatch/Trunk): Press and
hold for about one second to unlock
the hatch/trunk. If the engine is
running, the shift lever must be
in P (Park) for an automatic
transmission. For a manual
transmission, the shift lever must
be in N (Neutral) with the parking
brake set.
L(Panic): Press to sound the
horn. Press any other button on the
RKE transmitter to stop it. The vehicle comes with
two transmitters. Each transmitter
will have a number on top of
it,
“1” or“2.” These numbers
correspond to the driver of the
vehicle. For example, the memory
seat position for driver 1 will be
recalled when using the transmitter
labeled “1,”if enabled through the
DIC. See “Memory Seat, Mirrors,
and Steering Wheel” underPower
Seat Adjustment on page 3‑3 and
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑55 for more information.
Programming Transmitters to
the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed
to this vehicle will work. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer.
The vehicle can be reprogrammed
so that lost or stolen transmitters
no longer work. Each vehicle can
have up to four transmitters
programmed to it.

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Seats and Restraints 3-15
Replacing Safety Belt
System Parts after a
Crash
{WARNING
A crash can damage the safety
belt system in the vehicle.
A damaged safety belt system
may not properly protect the
person using it, resulting in
serious injury or even death in a
crash. To help make sure the
safety belt systems are working
properly after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon
as possible.After a minor crash, replacement of
safety belts may not be necessary.
But the safety belt assemblies that
were used during any crash may
have been stressed or damaged.
See your dealer to have the
safety belt assemblies inspected
or replaced.
New parts and repairs may be
necessary even if the safety belt
system was not being used at the
time of the crash.
Have the safety belt pretensioners
checked if the vehicle has been in a
crash, or if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start the vehicle
or while you are driving. See
Airbag
Readiness Light on page 5‑18.
Airbag System
The vehicle has the following
airbags:
.A frontal airbag for the driver.
.A frontal airbag for the front
outboard passenger.
.A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the driver.
.A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the front outboard
passenger.
All vehicle airbags have the word
AIRBAG on the trim or on a label
near the deployment opening.
For frontal airbags, the word
AIRBAG is on the center of the
steering wheel for the driver and on
the instrument panel for the front
outboard passenger.
For seat-mounted side impact
airbags, the word AIRBAG is on the
side of the seatback closest to
the door.

Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Seats and Restraints 3-17
WARNING (Continued)
Neither the vehicle's safety belt
system nor its airbag system is
designed for them. Young
children and infants need the
protection that a child restraint
system can provide. Always
secure children properly in the
vehicle. To read how, seeOlder
Children on page 3‑28 orInfants
and Young Children on
page 3‑30.
There is an airbag readiness light
on the instrument panel, which
shows the airbag symbol. The system checks the airbag
electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an
electrical problem. See
Airbag
Readiness Light on page 5‑18 for
more information.
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver frontal airbag is in the
center of the steering wheel.
The front outboard passenger
frontal airbag is in the passenger
side instrument panel.

Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
3-18 Seats and Restraints
Driver Side Shown, PassengerSide 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 (Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
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.
Frontal airbags may inflate at
different crash speeds depending on
whether the vehicle hits an object
straight on or at an angle, and
whether the object is fixed or
moving, rigid or deformable,
narrow or wide.
Thresholds can also vary with
specific vehicle design.
Frontal airbags are not intended to
inflate during vehicle rollovers, rear
impacts, or in many side impacts.

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Seats and Restraints 3-19
In addition, the vehicle has
dual-stage frontal airbags.
Dual-stage airbags adjust the
restraint according to crash severity.
The vehicle has electronic frontal
sensors, which help the sensing
system distinguish between a
moderate frontal impact and a more
severe frontal impact. For moderate
frontal impacts, dual-stage airbags
inflate at a level less than full
deployment. For more severe frontal
impacts, full deployment occurs.
Depending on the model, the
vehicle may have one or two seat
position sensors. The seat position
sensor(s) enable the sensing
system to monitor the position of
the driver seat (all models
except Z06 and ZR1) and the
front outboard passenger seat
(all models). Seat position sensor(s)
provide information that is used in
determining whether the airbags
should inflate at a reduced or
full level.The vehicle has seat-mounted side
impact airbags. See
Airbag System
on page 3‑15. Seat-mounted side
impact airbags are intended to
inflate in moderate to severe side
crashes, depending on the location
of the impact. Seat-mounted side
impact airbags will inflate if the
crash severity is above the
system's designed threshold level.
The threshold level can vary with
specific vehicle design.
Seat-mounted side impact airbags
are not intended to inflate in frontal
impacts, near-frontal impacts,
rollovers, or rear impacts.
A seat-mounted side impact airbag
is intended to inflate on the side of
the vehicle that is struck.
In any particular crash, no one can
say whether an airbag should have
inflated simply because of the
vehicle damage or repair costs.What Makes an Airbag
Inflate?
In a deployment event, the sensing
system sends an electrical signal
triggering a release of gas from the
inflator. Gas from the inflator fills the
airbag causing the bag to break out
of the cover. The inflator, the airbag,
and related hardware are all part of
the airbag module.
For airbag location, see Where Are
the Airbags? on page 3‑17.
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.