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 (14,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
9-14 Driving and Operating
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 Systems.”
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9-27.
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. See
Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control
on page 9-38.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. The
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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
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 (40,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
9-40 Driving and Operating
To turn off only TCS, press and
release the
gbutton. The Traction
Off light
iilluminates in the
instrument cluster. To turn TCS on
again, press and release the
g
button. The Traction Off lighti
displayed in the instrument cluster
will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
the
gbutton is pressed, the system
will not turn off until the wheels stop
spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold the
gbutton until
the Traction Off light
iand
StabiliTrak OFF light
gilluminate
and stay on in the instrument
cluster. To turn TCS and StabiliTrak on
again, press and release the
g
button. The Traction Off lightiand
StabiliTrak OFF light
gin the
instrument cluster turn off.
If the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)
system is malfunctioning and the
DIC displays SERVICE TIRE
MONITOR SYSTEM, StabiliTrak will
be affected as follows:
.StabiliTrak cannot be turned off
by the driver.
.If StabiliTrak is off, it will be
turned on automatically.
.Competitive Driving Mode or
Performance Traction
Management is unavailable.
.StabiliTrak will feel different in
aiding and maintaining
directional control.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications on
page 10-2.
Driver Mode Control
The Driver Mode Selector knob is
on the console behind the shift
lever.
There are five modes for different
driving conditions: Weather, Eco,
Tour, Sport, and Track.
Black plate (41,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Driving and Operating 9-41
The outer ring turns to change the
modes, which display in the
instrument cluster.
Press the button in the center of the
knob for Stability Control and
Traction Control, or if the vehicle is
in Track mode with Performance
Traction Management (PTM). See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control on page 9-38or the
information on PTM in Competitive
Driving Mode on page 9-44.
When PTM is active, the outer ring
will change the PTM mode and the
Driver mode will display in the
instrument cluster. Each mode is configured for use in
different driving conditions. Use:
.Weather mode for rain
and snow.
.Eco mode to improve fuel
economy.
.Tour mode for comfortable
normal driving.
.Sport mode for spirited on road
driving.
.Track mode for track use.
There are 12 attributes that vary by
mode shown below. Not all vehicles
have all features, depending on the
vehicle options.
Black plate (42,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
9-42 Driving and Operating
Modes:WEATHER ECO TOUR
DefaultSPORT TRACK
Cluster Display Tour Tour Tour Sport Track
Throttle Progression Weather Normal Normal Sport Sport
Trans Shift Mode (if equipped) Normal Normal Normal Sport Track
Active Fuel Management Normal Eco Normal Normal Normal
Exhaust Mode Eco Eco Tour Sport Track
Steering Comfort Comfort Comfort Sport Track
StabiliTrak Normal Normal Normal Normal Comp Mode
Avail
Electronic Limited Slip (if equipped) Mode 1 Mode 1 Mode 1 Modes 2
& 3Modes 2
& 3
Magnetic Ride (if equipped) Tour Tour Tour Sport Track
Launch Control NA NA NA NA Available
Traction Control Weather Normal Normal Normal Track
Performance Traction or Competitive Driving
Mode (if equipped) Off Off Off Off Available
Black plate (44,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
9-44 Driving and Operating
Stability Control
.Competitive Driving Mode allows
less computer control to permit
some slide and drift and is
selected with the
gbutton–only
available in Track mode.
.StabiliTrak can be turned off by
pressing and holding the
g
button for 10 seconds.
PTM (Performance Traction
Management) (if equipped)
.Available in Track mode.
.There are five selectable
settings if Competitive Driving
Mode is activated.
Competitive Driving Mode
If equipped, 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 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
StabiliTrak systems on.
{Caution
Attempting to shift when the drive
wheels are spinning and do not
have traction may cause damage
to the transmission. Damage
caused by misuse of the vehicle
is not covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not attempt to shift
when the drive wheels do not
have traction.
Competitive Driving Mode
(Except Z51 and Z06 with
Magnetic Ride Control)
Competitive Driving Mode allows full
engine power while StabiliTrak
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.
Black plate (45,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Driving and Operating 9-45
These lights are on when the
vehicle is in the Competitive
Driving Mode.
In order to select this optional
handling mode, the vehicle mode
must be Track. Then quickly press
the TCS/StabiliTrak
gbutton on the
center console two times.
STABILITRAK COMPETITIVE
MODE displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See Ride
Control System Messages on
page 5-39. When the
gbutton is pressed
again, the traction off light
iand
StabiliTrak OFF light
gwill go out.
Performance Traction
Management (Z51 and Z06 with
Magnetic Ride Control)
Performance Traction Management
(PTM) integrates the Traction
Control, StabiliTrak, and Magnetic
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 PTM mode. To select this optional handling
mode, the vehicle mode must be
Track. Then quickly press the TCS/
StabiliTrak
gbutton on the center
console two times.
PERFORMANCE TRACTION 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
normal acceleration occurs, fully
push the accelerator pedal. The
PTM system will modify the level of
engine power for a smooth and
consistent corner exit.