2013 CHEVROLET CORVETTE traction control

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
9-8 Driving and Operating
In addition to completing the Street
High Performance Brake Burnishing
Procedure, the following procedure
needs to be completed to make the
ZR1 and Z06 with Z07 Performance
Package brake system ready for
track events and racing.
This procedure should only be run
on a track and only on dry
pavement.
Notice:Brake pedal fade will
occur during this track burnish
procedure and can cause brake
pedal travel and force to increase.
This could extend stopping
distance until the brakes are fully
burnished.
1. Drive a normal first lap and not too aggressive.
2. Laps 2 and 3 should be gradually driven faster and more
aggressive, while allowing for
reduced brake output and
increased stopping distance due
to brake fade. 3. Lap 4 as near to full speed, while
allowing for reduced brake
output and increased stopping
distance due to brake fade.
4. Laps 5 and 6 should be cool down laps
5. Lap 7 should be normal driving or an easy out lap.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep‐standing or flowing water.
{WARNING
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
9-10 Driving and Operating
{WARNING
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. The brakes will have
to do all the work of slowing down
and they could get so hot that
they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking or
even none going down a hill.
Steering may also be affected
when ignition is off. You could
crash. Always have the engine
running and the vehicle in gear
when going downhill.
.Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your
own lane.
.Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(stalled car, accident).
.Pay attention to special road
signs (falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow
or ice between the tires and the
road, creating less traction or grip.
Wet ice can occur at about 0°C (32°
F) when freezing rain begins to fall,
resulting in even less traction. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated with salt
or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the
condition. Accelerate gently so
traction is not lost. Accelerating too
quickly causes the wheels to spin
and makes the surface under the
tires slick, so there is even less
traction.Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive
wheels will spin and polish the
surface under the tires even more.
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
improves vehicle stability during
hard stops on slippery roads, but
apply the brakes sooner than when
on dry pavement. See
Antilock
Brake System (ABS) on page 9‑32.
Allow greater following distance on
any slippery road and watch for
slippery spots. Icy patches can
occur on otherwise clear roads in
shaded areas. The surface of a
curve or an overpass can remain icy
when the surrounding roads are
clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
Turn off cruise control on slippery
surfaces.

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
9-12 Driving and Operating
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. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on
page 9‑34.
{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 56 km/h (35 mph).
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 low
forward gear, 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 10‑79.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight your vehicle can
carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo and all
nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on your vehicle show
how much weight it may
properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and
the Certification label.

Black plate (27,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Driving and Operating 9-27
When accelerating the vehicle from
a stop in snowy and icy conditions,
you may want to shift to 2 (Second)
or 3 (Third) gear. A higher gear
allows you to gain more traction on
slippery surfaces. If traction control
is active, upshifts are delayed to
increase your control of the vehicle.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 9‑34 Traction Control
System (TCS).
The Manual Paddle Shift system
can be deactivated by moving the
shift lever from S (Sport Mode) back
to D (Drive), or by holding either
up-shift paddle for more than
one second.
The driver may choose to briefly
activate the Manual Paddle Shift
system while in D (Drive). Tapping
either the upshift or downshift
controls will place the transmission
in Manual Paddle Shift mode. The
driver may then exit Manual Paddle
Shift mode by holding either upshift
control for more than one second.
The system will return to automatic
shifting after 10 seconds of cruising at a steady speed and no manual
shifts, or when the vehicle comes to
a stop.
While the Manual Paddle Shift gear
selection system is active, the
transmission will automatically
downshift through the gears as the
vehicle slows. The transmission will
select 2 (Second) gear as the
vehicle stops. From a stop, the
vehicle will start from and hold
2 (Second) gear unless the driver
manually paddle shifts into a
different gear or selects D (Drive).
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), see
Head-Up
Display (HUD) on page 5‑30.
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.

Black plate (34,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
9-34 Driving and Operating
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. SeeRide
Control System Messages on
page 5‑42. The system may be
heard or felt while it is working, but
this is normal. 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. See
Cruise Control on
page 9‑42.
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 5‑42.
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 center console.
The Traction Off light comes on.

Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Driving and Operating 9-35
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 10‑3 for more information.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. See Ride Control System
Messages on page 5‑42 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 5‑42 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.

Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
9-36 Driving and Operating
To turn the system off, press
the Active Handling button on the
center 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. 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 increasedperformance 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 driver 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.
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.

Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2013 - crc2 - 11/8/12
Driving and Operating 9-37
Competitive Driving Mode
(Except Z06 with magnetic
Selective Ride Control or 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.
This optional handling mode can be
selected by pressing the Active
Handling button on the center
console quickly two times. COMPETITIVE DRIVING MODE
displays in the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See
Ride Control
System Messages on page 5‑42.
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 with
magnetic Selective Ride
Control or 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 center
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.