
Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
In Brief 1-17
b/g:Press to turn on and off the
vehicle speakers. Press and hold
longer than two seconds to interact
with the OnStar
®or Bluetooth
systems.
i: 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.
+: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 9‑42.
Navigation System
If the vehicle has a navigation
system, there is a separate
navigation 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 manual for more
information.

Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
1-20 In Brief
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 2‑22.
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 5‑42.
.Press and release the Active
Handling button again to turn on
traction control.
See Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 9‑34. 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 9‑35.
The vehicle may have Competitive
Driving Mode (except Z06 with
magnetic Selective Ride Control or
ZR1), Performance Traction
Management (Z06 with magnetic
Selective Ride Control or ZR1), and
Launch Control systems designed to
allow increased performance while
accelerating and cornering. See
Competitive Driving Mode on
page 9‑36.

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
1-22 In Brief
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 10‑79.
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 10‑19.
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 9‑45.

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
3-14 Seats and Restraints
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. SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 5‑16.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. Airbags are designed to supplement
the protection provided by safety
belts. Even though today's airbags
are also designed to help reduce
the risk of injury from the force of an
inflating bag, all airbags must inflate
very quickly to do their job.
Here are the most important things
to know about the airbag system:{WARNING
You can be severely injured or
killed in a crash if you are not
wearing your safety belt, even
with airbags. Airbags are
designed to work with safety
belts, not replace them. Also,
airbags are not designed to inflate
in every crash. In some crashes
safety belts are the only restraint.
See
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? on page 3‑17.
(Continued)

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
3-16 Seats and Restraints
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. SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 5‑16 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 (17,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Seats and Restraints 3-17
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
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.

Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
3-18 Seats and Restraints
Frontal airbags are not intended to
inflate during vehicle rollovers, rear
impacts, or in many side impacts.
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) 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 3‑14. 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 locations, see Where Are
the Airbags? on page 3‑16.
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.

Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Seats and Restraints 3-25
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Adding accessories that change the
vehicle's frame, bumper system,
height, front end or side sheet
metal, may keep the airbag system
from working properly. The
operation of the airbag system can
also be affected by changing or
moving any parts of the front seats,
safety belts, the airbag sensing and
diagnostic module, steering wheel,
instrument panel, inside rearview
mirror, front sensors, or airbag
wiring.
Your dealer and the service manual
have information about the location
of the airbag sensors, sensing and
diagnostic module, and airbag
wiring.
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system for the
front outboard passenger position,
which includes sensors that are part
of the passenger seat. The
passenger sensing system may not
operate properly if the original seattrim is replaced with non-GM
covers, upholstery or trim, or with
GM covers, upholstery or trim
designed for a different vehicle. Any
object, such as an aftermarket seat
heater or a comfort enhancing pad
or device, installed under or on top
of the seat fabric, could also
interfere with the operation of the
passenger sensing system. This
could either prevent proper
deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the passenger
sensing system from properly
turning off the passenger airbag(s).
See
Passenger Sensing System on
page 3‑20.
If you have to modify your vehicle
because you have a disability and
have questions about whether the
modifications will affect the vehicle's
airbag system, or if you have
questions about whether the airbag
system will be affected if the vehicle
is modified for any other reason, call Customer Assistance. See
Customer Assistance Offices (U.S.
and Canada) on page 13‑5
or
Customer Assistance Offices
(Mexico) on page 13‑5.
Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not need
regularly scheduled maintenance or
replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. See
Airbag Readiness Light on
page 5‑16.
Notice: If an airbag covering is
damaged, opened, or broken, the
airbag may not work properly. Do
not open or break the airbag
coverings. If there are any
opened or broken airbag covers,
have the airbag covering and/or
airbag module replaced. For the
location of the airbags, see
Where Are the Airbags? on
page 3‑16. See your dealer for
service.