Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
5-36 Instruments and Controls
REDUCE VEHICLE SPEED TO
OPERATE TOP
This message is displayed when the
vehicle speed exceeds or is
approaching the convertible top
speed cut off.
TEMPERATURE TOO LOW–
TOP DISABLED
This message displays and a sound
will be heard when the power
convertible top button is pressed
and it is too cold to operate the
power convertible top. Move the
vehicle to a warmer location and
wait for the vehicle temperature to
rise. This may take several hours
depending on the initial vehicle
temperature and the temperature of
the new location.
TOP NOT SECURE
This message displays when the
power convertible top is not
completely opened or closed. Press
and hold the convertible top button
until the top is fully opened or
closed. This is indicated by the FOLDING TOP MOTION
COMPLETE message being
displayed and an audible indicator.
TOP POWERING DOWN
COMPLETE TOP MOTION
This message displays when the
power convertible top can no longer
hold the top in an intermediate
position. Top system components
may move during this time based on
external forces. Keep objects clear
from the normal path of movement
for the top system components.
TOP SYSTEM OVERHEATED,
PLEASE WAIT
This message displays and a sound
will be heard when the power
convertible top button is pressed
and the power convertible top pump
motor temperature is overheated.
Wait for the power convertible top
pump motor to cool down before
using the power convertible top.
VALET SWITCH ACTIVE
–TOP
DISABLED
This message displays when Valet
Mode is active.
Cruise Control Messages
CRUISE SET TO XXX
This message displays when the
cruise control is set and shows the
speed it was set to. See Cruise
Control on page 9-49.
Door Ajar Messages
DOOR OPEN
A door open symbol will display on
the DIC showing which door is
open. If the vehicle has been shifted
out of P (Park), a DOOR OPEN
message will also be displayed.
If the shift lever is in M (Manual
Mode), the DOOR OPEN message
will display if the vehicle starts to
move. Close the door completely.
Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Track Events and CompetitiveDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 9-11
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 9-12
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-13
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 9-14
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-15
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-19
Front Air Dam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Carbon Fiber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 9-22
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24 Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Parking (Manual
Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Active Fuel Management
®. . . 9-26
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . 9-28
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Manual Transmission
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . 9-32
Active Rev Match . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . 9-36
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . 9-38
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . 9-40
Competitive Driving Mode . . . 9-44
Limited-Slip Differential (Except Z51 and Z06) . . . . . . 9-48
Limited-Slip Differential (Z51 and Z06 Only) . . . . . . . . 9-48
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-49
Driver Assistance Systems
Rear VisionCamera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-52
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-55
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 9-55
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-55
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-56
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-57
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-58
Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
9-12 Driving and Operating
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to
slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid
reservoir filled.
.Have good tires with proper
tread depth. SeeTires on
page 10-47.
.Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on flat or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when going
down steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
loss of steering. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle
in gear.
.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.
Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Driving and Operating 9-13
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.
Traction Control should be turned
on. SeeTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control on page 9-38.
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 9-35.
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.
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be a
serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside
Assistance Program on page 13-5.
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)
Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Driving and Operating 9-19
Warning (Continued)
.Put things in the rear area
of your vehicle. Try to
spread the weight evenly.
.Never stack heavier
things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above
the tops of the seats.
.Do not leave an
unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle.
.When you carry something
inside the vehicle, secure
it whenever you can.
Starting and
Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
Follow these recommended
guidelines during the first 2 414 km
(1,500 mi) of driving this vehicle.
Parts have a break-in period and
performance will be better in the
long run.
For the first 322 km (200 mi):
.To break in new tires, drive at
moderate speeds and avoid hard
cornering for the first 322 km
(200 mi).
.New brake linings also need a
break- in period. Avoid making
hard stops during the first
322 km (200 mi). This is
recommended every time brake
linings are replaced.
For the first 800 km (500 mi):
.Avoid full throttle starts and
abrupt stops.
.Do not exceed 4000 rpm.
.Avoid driving at any one
constant speed, fast or slow,
including the use of cruise
control.
.Avoid downshifting to brake or
slow the vehicle when the
engine speed will exceed
4000 rpm.
.Do not let the engine labor.
Never lug the engine. With a
manual transmission, shift to the
next lower gear. This rule
applies at all times, not just
during the break-in period.
.After the first 500 miles, change
the engine oil on vehicles with
the LT1 engine and Z51
package, or the LT4 engine.
For the first 2 414 km (1,500 mi):
.Do not participate in track
events, sport driving schools,
or similar activities during the
first 2 414 km (1,500 mi).
Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Driving and Operating 9-31
Manual Paddle Shift operation is
available for use with cruise control.
SeeCruise Control on page 9-49.
The vehicle speeds required for
Manual Paddle Shift upshifts
depend on several vehicle inputs,
which will vary the allowed up-shift
speed by a few km/h (mph).
For vehicles with a 2.41:1 Axle
Ratio (RPO GXB)
.Upshifts to 3 (Third) gear require
approximately 25 km/h (16 mph).
.Upshifts to 4 (Fourth) gear
require approximately 37 km/h
(23 mph).
.Upshifts to 5 (Fifth) gear require
approximately 48 km/h (30 mph).
.Upshifts to 6 (Sixth) gear require
approximately 60 km/h (37 mph).
.Upshifts to 7 (Seventh) gear
require approximately 74 km/h
(46 mph).
.Upshifts to 8 (Eighth) gear
require approximately 95 km/h
(59 mph). To prevent damage to the
powertrain, Manual Paddle
downshifts to a lower gear cannot
be done above certain speeds. The
maximum speed allowed for
downshifting of gears 1 (First)
through 6 (Sixth) are:
.Into 6 (Sixth) gear over 309 km/h
(192 mph).
.Into 5 (Fifth) gear over 243 km/h
(151 mph).
.Into 4 (Fourth) gear over
183 km/h (114 mph).
.Into 3 (Third) gear over 149 km/h
(93 mph).
.Into 2 (Second) gear over
100 km/h (62 mph).
.Into 1 (First) gear over 62 km/h
(39 mph).
For vehicles with a 2.73:1 Axle
Ratio (RPO GU2)
.Upshifts to 3 (Third) gear require
approximately 24 km/h (15 mph).
.Upshifts to 4 (Fourth) gear
require approximately 34 km/h
(21 mph).
.Upshifts to 5 (Fifth) gear require
approximately 43 km/h (27 mph).
.Upshifts to 6 (Sixth) gear require
approximately 55 km/h (34 mph).
.Upshifts to 7 (Seventh) gear
require approximately 64 km/h
(40 mph).
.Upshifts to 8 (Eighth) gear
require approximately 82 km/h
(51 mph).
To prevent damage to the
powertrain, Manual Paddle
downshifts to a lower gear cannot
be done above certain speeds. The
maximum speed allowed for
downshifting of gears 1 (First)
through 7 (Seventh) are:
.Into 7 (Seventh) gear over
321 km/h (199 mph).
.Into 6 (Sixth) gear over 272 km/h
(169 mph).
Black plate (38,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
9-38 Driving and Operating
brake pedal is released or brake
pedal pressure is quickly
decreased.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
If equipped, HSA may automatically
activate when the vehicle is stopped
on a grade. This feature is designed
to prevent the vehicle from rolling,
either forward or rearward, during
vehicle drive off. During the
transition from releasing the brake
pedal to accelerating to drive off on
a grade, HSA holds the braking
pressure to prevent rolling. HSA will
not activate if the vehicle is in a
drive gear and facing downhill or if
the vehicle is facing uphill and in
R (Reverse).
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and a StabiliTrak
system. These systems help limit
wheel spin and assist the driver in
maintaining control, especially on
slippery road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that the
rear wheels are spinning too much
or are beginning to lose traction.
When this happens, TCS applies
the brakes to the spinning wheel
and reduces engine power (by
closing the throttle and managing
engine spark) to limit wheel spin.StabiliTrak activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the
vehicle wheel brakes to assist the
driver in keeping the vehicle on the
intended path.
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 9-49.
Both systems come on
automatically when the vehicle is
started and begins to move. The
systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This
is normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the vehicle.
Black plate (49,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Driving and Operating 9-49
Cruise Control
With cruise control, a speed of
about 40 km/h (25 mph) or more
can be maintained without keeping
your foot on the accelerator. Cruise
control does not work at speeds
below about 40 km/h (25 mph).
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. Do not use
cruise control on winding roads or
in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
If equipped with a manual
transmission, the cruise control will
remain active when the gears are shifted. The cruise is disengaged if
the clutch is pressed for several
seconds.
If the Traction Control System (TCS)
begins to limit wheel spin while you
are using cruise control, the cruise
control automatically disengages.
See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control on page 9-38.
When road conditions allow for
using safely again, cruise control
can be turned back on.
If the brakes are applied, cruise
control disengages.
1(On/Off): Press to turn cruise
control on or off. A white indicator
comes on in the instrument cluster
when cruise is turned on.
RES/+ (Resume/Accelerate): If
there is a set speed in memory,
press briefly to resume to that
speed or press and hold to
accelerate. If cruise control is
already active, use to increase
vehicle speed.
SET/– (Set/Coast): Press briefly to
set the speed and activate cruise
control. If cruise control is already
active, use to decrease vehicle
speed.
*(Cancel): Press to disengage
cruise control without erasing the
set speed from memory.