2012 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Owners Manual

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 (38,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
9-38 Driving and Operating
Active Handling System
The Active Handling System is a
computer controlled system that
helps the driver maintain directional
control of the vehicle in difficult
driving conditions. This is
accomplished by selectively
applying any one of the vehicle's
brakes.
The ACTIVE HANDLING message
will come on when the system is
operating. SeeRide Control System
Messages on page 5‑45 for more
information. The system may be
heard or felt while it is working.
This is normal.
The SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING
SYSTEM message is displayed on
the DIC, the Active Handling System light comes on, and a sound
is heard if there is a problem with
the system.
See
Ride Control System Messages
on page 5‑45 for more information.
When this light and the SERVICE
ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM
message are on, the system is not
operational. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
The Active Handling System comes
on automatically whenever the
vehicle is started. To help maintain
directional control of the vehicle, the
system should always be left on.
The system can be turned off if
needed. If the Active Handling
System is turned off, the Traction
Control System will also be turned
off. Adjust your driving accordingly.
To turn the system off, press the
Active Handling button on the
console until TRACTION SYSTEM
AND ACTIVE HANDLING
SYSTEM —OFF is displayed
on the DIC.
The StabiliTrak Off light will
come on.
The system can be turned back on
at any time by pressing the Active
Handling button. The DIC will
display the appropriate message
when the button is pushed.

Black plate (39,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-39
If the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system detects a flat tire and the
Driver Information Center (DIC)
displays TIRE FLAT, or if the TPM
system is malfunctioning and the
DIC displays SERVICE TIRE
MONITOR, the Active Handling
System will be affected as follows:
.The Active Handling System
cannot be turned off by the
driver.
.If the Active Handling System is
off, it will be turned on
automatically.
.Competitive Driving Mode or
Performance Traction
Management is unavailable.
.The Active Handling System will
feel different in aiding and
maintaining directional control.
Competitive Driving Mode
Competitive Driving Mode,
Performance Traction Management,
and Launch Control are systems
designed to allow increased
performance while accelerating and/
or cornering. This is accomplished
by regulating and optimizing the
engine, brakes, and suspension
performance. These modes are for
use at a closed course race track
and are not intended for use on
public roads. They will not
compensate for a driver’s
inexperience or lack of familiarity
with the race track. Drivers who
prefer to allow the system to have
more control of the engine, brake,
and suspension are advised to turn
the normal traction control and
active handling systems on. See
Racing or Other Competitive Driving
on page 9‑6 for more information.
Notice: Do not attempt to shift
when the drive wheels are
spinning and do not have
traction. This may cause damage to the transmission. Damage
caused by misuse of the vehicle
is not covered by the vehicle
warranty. See the warranty book
for additional information.
Competitive Driving Mode
(Except ZR1)
Competitive Driving Mode allows
full engine power while the Active
Handling System helps maintain
directional control of the vehicle
by selective brake application.
In this mode, TCS is off and
Launch Control is available.
Adjust your driving style to account
for the available engine power.
See
“Launch Control” later in
this section.
This light is on when the vehicle is
in the Competitive Driving Mode.

Black plate (40,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
9-40 Driving and Operating
This optional handling mode can be
selected by pressing the Active
Handling button on the console
quickly two times. COMPETITIVE
DRIVING MODE displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
SeeRide Control System Messages
on page 5‑45 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
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
console.
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

Black plate (41,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-41
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.
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.

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.

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 5‑45 for more
information.