2012 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ESP

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-5
Curve Tips
.Take curves at a reasonable
speed.
.Reduce speed before entering
a curve.
.Maintain a reasonable steady
speed through the curve
.Wait until the vehicle is out of
the curve before accelerating
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when
steering around a problem may
be more effective than braking.
.Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
.Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
allows steering while braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving. Follow
these tips:
1. Ease off the accelerator andthen, if there is nothing in the
way, steer the vehicle so that it
straddles the edge of the
pavement. 2. Turn the steering wheel about
one-eighth of a turn, until the
right front tire contacts the
pavement edge.
3. Then turn the steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three
control systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are
not rolling.
.Steering or Cornering
Skid —too much speed or
steering in a curve causes tires
to slip and lose cornering force.
.Acceleration Skid —too much
throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin.

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
9-12 Driving and Operating
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be a
serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use theRoadside
Assistance Program (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑8 orRoadside
Assistance Program (Mexico) on
page 13‑10. To get help and keep
everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{WARNING
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
Carbon Monoxide (CO) which
cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness
and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
.Clear away snow from around
the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe.
.Check again from time to
time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
.Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
.Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
circulates the air inside the
vehicle and set the fan speed
to the highest setting. See
Climate Control System in
the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑26.
Snow can trap exhaust gases
under your vehicle. This can
cause deadly CO (Carbon
Monoxide) gas to get inside.
CO could overcome you and
kill you. You cannot see it or
smell it, so you might not know
it is in your vehicle.
(Continued)

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-13
WARNING (Continued)
Clear away snow from around the
base of your vehicle, especially
any that is blocking the exhaust.
Run the engine for short periods
only as needed to keep warm,
but be careful.
To save fuel, run the engine for only
short periods as needed to warm
the vehicle and then shut the engine
off and close the window most of
the way to save heat. Repeat this
until help arrives but only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the
cold. Moving about to keep warm
also helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs
faster than the idle speed. This
keeps the battery charged to restart the vehicle and to signal for
help with the headlamps. Do this as
little as possible to save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method.
{WARNING
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going
above 55 km/h (35 mph).
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, see Tire
Chains on page 10‑80.
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Turn off any traction
system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a forward
gear, or with a manual transmission,
between 1 (First) or 2 (Second) and
R (Reverse), spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting
gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear.
Slowly spinning the wheels in the
forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed out,
see Towing the Vehicle on
page 10‑86.

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
9-22 Driving and Operating
4. If the engine does not start andno DIC message is displayed,
wait 15 seconds before trying
again to let the cranking motor
cool down.
If the engine does not start after
5-10 seconds, especially in very
cold weather (below −18°C
or 0°F), it could be flooded with
too much gasoline. Try pushing
the accelerator pedal all the way
to the floor while cranking for up
to 15 seconds maximum. Wait at
least 15 seconds between each
try, to allow the cranking motor
to cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the accelerator.
If the vehicle starts briefly but
then stops again, repeat these
steps. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
Notice: Cranking the engine for
long periods of time, by pressing
the START button immediately
after cranking has ended, can
overheat and damage the
cranking motor, and drain the battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down.
The vehicle has a
Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects
components. Once cranking has
been initiated, the engine continues
cranking for a few seconds or until
the vehicle starts. If the engine does
not start, cranking automatically
stops after 15 seconds to prevent
cranking motor damage. To prevent
gear damage, this system also
prevents cranking if the engine is
already running.
Notice:
The engine is designed to
work with the electronics in the
vehicle. If electrical parts or
accessories are added, you could
change the way the engine
operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your
dealer. If you do not, the engine
might not perform properly. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.Stopping the Engine
If the vehicle has an automatic
transmission, move the shift lever to
P (Park) and press and hold the
Acc. (Off/Accessory) button, located
on the instrument panel, until the
engine shuts off. If the shift lever is
not in P (Park), the engine shuts off
and the vehicle goes into the
accessory mode. The DIC displays
SHIFT TO PARK. Once the shifter is
moved to P (Park), the vehicle turns
off. If the vehicle has a manual
transmission, it is recommended
that you move the shift lever to
R (Reverse) and set the parking
brake after you turn off the
engine by pressing and holding
the Acc. (Off/Accessory) button.
If the RKE transmitter is not
detected inside the vehicle when it
is turned to off, the DIC displays
NO FOB –OFF OR RUN?.
See Key and Lock Messages on
page 5‑43 for more information.

Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
9-30 Driving and Operating
The driver can select 1 (First) gear
for maximum acceleration from
a stop.
When using the Manual Paddle
Shift feature while in S (Sport Mode),
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.
If the vehicle has a Head-Up
Display (HUD), seeHead-Up
Display (HUD) on page 5‑32. 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.
If up-shifting does not occur when
needed, vehicle speed will be
limited to protect the engine.
When the transmission gear does
not respond to a shift change,
the DIC will show an X over the
gear display.
When a requested shift is denied
due to the speed restrictions shown,
the DIC will momentarily show an
X over the gear display and a
chime will sound. If the vehicle has a HUD, and the
transmission gear does not respond
to a shift change, a chime will sound
and the HUD will momentarily show
an X over the gear display.
Manual Paddle Shift operation is
available for use with Cruise
Control. See
Cruise Control on
page 9‑45 Cruise Control for
more information.
The vehicle speeds required for
Manual Paddle Shift up-shifts
depend on several vehicle inputs,
which will vary the allowed up-shift
speed by a few km/h (mph).

Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
9-36 Driving and Operating
Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located to
the right of the center console.
To set the parking brake, hold the
brake pedal down. Pull the parking
brake lever up. If the ignition is on,
the brake system warning light will
come on.
To release the parking brake, hold
the brake pedal down. Then push
the release button in as you move
the parking brake lever all the
way down.
Notice:Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the brake
system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system
parts. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the
brake warning light is off before
driving.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a brake assist
feature designed to assist the driver
in stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement
the power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle.
The stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time
is normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal
as the driving situation dictates.
The brake assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control
System (TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) that limits wheel spin.
This is especially useful in slippery
road conditions. The system
operates only if it senses that the
rear wheels are spinning too much
or are beginning to lose traction.
When this happens, the system
works the rear brakes and reduces
engine power (by closing the throttle
and managing engine spark) to limit
wheel spin.
The TRACTION SYSTEM ACTIVE
message displays on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) when TCS
is limiting wheel spin. See Ride
Control System Messages on
page 5‑45. The system may be
heard or felt while it is working, but
this is normal.

Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-37
If cruise control is being used when
TCS begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control will automatically
disengage. Cruise control may be
reengaged when road conditions
allow. SeeCruise Control on
page 9‑45.
The SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM
message and the Active Handling
System light will come on if there is
a problem with TCS. See Ride
Control System Messages on
page 5‑45.
When this light and the SERVICE
TRACTION SYSTEM message are
on, the system will not limit wheel
spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly. TCS automatically comes on
whenever the vehicle is started.
To limit wheel spin, especially in
slippery road conditions, the system
should always be left on. TCS can
be turned off if needed.To turn the system off, press the
Active Handling button located on
the console.
The Traction Off light comes on.
The system can be turned on or off
at any time by pressing the Active
Handling button. The DIC will
display the appropriate message
when the button is pushed.
Notice:
When traction control is
turned off, or Competitive Driving
Mode is active, it is possible to
lose traction. If you attempt to
shift with the drive wheels
spinning with a loss of traction,
it is possible to cause damage to
the transmission. Do not attempt
to shift when the drive wheels do
not have traction. Damage caused
by misuse of the vehicle is not
covered. See the warranty book
for additional information.
Adding non‐dealer accessories can
affect the vehicle's performance.
See Accessories and Modifications
on page 10‑4 for more information.

Black plate (43,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-43
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 5‑45 for more
information.