Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Driving and Operating 9-29
N (Neutral):In this position, the
engine does not connect with the
wheels. To restart the engine when
the vehicle is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only. If the vehicle needs
towing, see Towing the Vehicle on
page 10-83.
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
{Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.
D (Drive): This position is for
normal driving. It provides the best
fuel economy. If more power is
needed for passing, push the pedal
down to achieve the desired level of
acceleration.
Downshifting the transmission in
slippery road conditions could result
in skidding. See “Skidding”under
Loss of Control on page 9-4.
The transmission can be shifted like
a manual transmission using the
paddle shift controls while in
D (Drive). See Manual Mode on
page 9-29.
M (Manual Mode): In
M (Manual Mode), the transmission
can be shifted like a manual transmission using the paddle shift
controls. See
Manual Mode on
page 9-29.
Manual Mode
Manual Paddle Shift
When the shift lever is moved to
M (Manual Mode), the transmission
enters Manual Mode. The
transmission will hold the current
gear until a change is requested.
The paddles on the steering wheel
can be used to manually upshift or
Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
9-30 Driving and Operating
downshift the transmission. The
right (+) plus paddle upshifts, and
the left (−) minus paddle downshifts
When using the Manual Paddle
Shift feature while in M (Manual
Mode), the current gear will be
displayed in the instrument cluster,
or the Head-Up Display (HUD),
if equipped. SeeHead-Up Display
(HUD) on page 5-29.
When accelerating the vehicle from
a stop in snowy and icy conditions,
shifting to 2 (Second) gear allows
the vehicle to gain more traction.
The Manual Paddle Shift system
can be deactivated by moving the
shift lever from M (Manual Mode)
back to D (Drive). When the shift lever is in D (Drive),
press either the right (+) plus paddle
or the left (−) minus paddle to place
the transmission in Temporary
Manual Paddle Shift mode. The
gear indicator by the shift lever, in
the cluster, and in the HUD will
display an M, even though the shift
lever is still in D (Drive). To exit the
system, hold the (+) plus paddle for
more than one second. The system
will return to automatic shifting after
six seconds of cruising at a steady
speed, no manual shifts, no
aggressive cornering, 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 1 (First) gear as the vehicle
stops. From a stop, the vehicle will
start from and hold 1 (First) gear
unless the manual paddle shifts are
used to shift into a different gear,
or D (Drive) is selected.If the left (−) minus paddle is held
down briefly, the transmission will
downshift to the lowest gear
possible for the vehicles speed.
If the paddle continues to be held as
the vehicle slows, downshifts will
continue to occur as vehicle speed
allows. This feature also works
while in Temporary Manual Paddle
Shift mode, but the driver must first
press and release the (−) minus
paddle to enter Temporary Manual
Paddle Shift mode, then press and
hold the (−) minus paddle briefly.
The Manual Paddle Shift system will
not allow either an upshift or a
downshift if the vehicle speed is too
fast or too slow, nor will it allow a
start from 3 (Third) or higher gear.
If upshifting does not occur when
needed, vehicle speed will be
limited to protect the engine.
When a requested shift is denied
due to the speed restrictions shown,
a DIC message will be displayed,
and the current gear remains
displayed in the cluster and HUD.
Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
9-32 Driving and Operating
.Into 5 (Fifth) gear over 214 km/h
(133 mph).
.Into 4 (Fourth) gear over
161 km/h (100 mph).
.Into 3 (Third) gear over 131 km/h
(93 mph).
.Into 2 (Second) gear over
88 km/h (62 mph).
.Into 1 (First) gear over 55 km/h
(39 mph).
If an upshift is not requested as the
engine speed approaches fuel shut
off rpm, the engine speed will be
limited to protect the engine. See
Tachometer on page 5-12.
Manual Transmission
To operate:
1 (First): Press the clutch pedal
and shift into 1 (First). Then slowly
let up on the clutch pedal as the
accelerator pedal is pressed.
This can be done if the vehicle is
going less than 64 km/h (40 mph).
If the vehicle is at a complete stop
and it is hard to shift into 1 (First),
put the shift lever in Neutral and let
up on the clutch. Then press the
clutch pedal back down and shift
into 1 (First). 2 (Second):
Press the clutch pedal
while letting up on the accelerator
pedal and shift into 2 (Second).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as the accelerator pedal is
pressed.
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth),
6 (Sixth), and 7 (Seventh): Shift
into 3 (Third), 4 (Fourth), 5 (Fifth),
6 (Sixth), and 7 (Seventh) the same
way as for 2 (Second).
To stop, let up on the accelerator
pedal and press the brake pedal.
Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake
pedal, and shift to Neutral.
Neutral: Use to start or idle the
engine. Neutral is the center
position of the shift pattern.
R (Reverse): To back up, push the
clutch pedal and shift into
R (Reverse). Additional pressure
may be needed to move the lever
past 5 (Fifth) and 6 (Sixth) into
R (Reverse). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the
accelerator pedal.
Black plate (33,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Driving and Operating 9-33
The vehicle can be safely shifted
into R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving less than 5 km/h (3 mph).
If the vehicle is going faster than
that, R (Reverse) is locked out.
Shift Speeds
Use the following shift speeds,
shown in km/h (mph), for the best
fuel economy.1 to 4 27 (17)
4 to 5 40 (25)
5 to 6 64 (40)
6 to 7 72 (45)
{Caution
When shifting gears, do not move
the shift lever around
unnecessarily. This may damage
the transmission. Shift directly
into the next gear.
1–4 Shift Message
When the DIC displays this
message, the vehicle can only be
shifted from 1 (First) to 4 (Fourth).
SeeTransmission Messages on
page 5-44.
Downshifting
Do not downshift into the gear at a
speed greater than shown:
1 (First) 72 km/h (45 mph)
2 (Second) 107 km/h (67 mph) 3 (Third) 160 km/h (100 mph)
4 (Fourth) 233 km/h (145 mph)
{Caution
When downshifting, if more than
one gear is skipped, or the engine
is racing when the clutch pedal is
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
released, the engine, clutch,
driveshaft or transmission could
be damaged.
If the engine speed drops below
900 rpm, or if the engine is not
running smoothly, downshift to the
next lower gear. It may be
necessary to downshift two or more
gears.
The transmission has a spring that
centers the shift lever near 3 (Third)
and 4 (Fourth). This spring helps to
know what gear the shift lever is in
when shifting. Be careful when
shifting from 1 (First) to 2 (Second)
or downshifting from 7 (Seventh) to
6 (Sixth). The spring will try to pull
the shift lever toward 4 (Fourth) and
3 (Third). Move the lever into
2 (Second) or 6 (Sixth) and do not
let the shift lever move in the
direction of the pulling, or it could
shift from 1 (First) to 4 (Fourth) or
from 7 (Seventh) to 4 (Fourth).
Black plate (34,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
9-34 Driving and Operating
If the vehicle is not upshifted as the
engine speed approaches fuel shut
off rpm, the engine speed will be
limited to protect the engine. See
Tachometer on page 5-12.
Active Rev Match
Vehicles equipped with a manual
transmission have Active Rev Match
(ARM). ARM aids in smoother
shifting by matching the engine
speed to the next selected gear. By
monitoring shift lever and clutch
operation, ARM adjusts engine
speed to match a calibrated value
based on gear selection. On
upshifts and downshifts, engine
speed will be increased and
decreased to match vehicle road
speed and transmission gear
position. ARM is maintained for a
few seconds between shifts, then
deactivates if the shift is not
completed.
The system is activated and
deactivated by pressing either of the
paddles marked REV MATCH on
the steering wheel. The system
must be activated with each new
ignition cycle.
A gear indicator in the instrument
cluster displays the current gear
selected:
.When ARM is activated, the
gear number is amber.
.When ARM is deactivated, the
gear number is white.
.A white dash indicates that
service is required. ARM will be
disabled, and the malfunction
indicator lamp will be on. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 5-18. The clutch and
manual transmission will
continue to operate normally.
ARM will also:
.Be active above 32 km/h
(20 mph).
.Match engine speed up to
5400 rpm.
.Not operate when the
accelerator pedal is applied.
.Be disabled when the coolant
temperature is below 0°C (32°F).
Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Driving and Operating 9-37
normal, and is done to periodically
check the correct operation of the
EPB system.
If the EPB fails to apply, the rear
wheels should be blocked to
prevent vehicle movement.
EPB Release
To release the EPB:
1. Place the ignition in the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN
position.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Push down momentarily on the EPB switch.
The EPB is released when the red
parking brake status light is off.
If the amber parking brake warning
light is on, release the EPB by
pushing down on the EPB switch
and holding it down. Continue to
hold the switch until the red parking
brake status light is off. If either light
stays on after release is attempted,
see your dealer.
{Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system
and cause premature wear or
damage to brake system parts.
Make sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if
the vehicle is running, placed into
gear, and an attempt is made to
drive away. Avoid rapid acceleration
when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake lining life.
The EPB can also be used to
prevent roll back for vehicles with a
manual transmission taking off on a
hill. When no roll back is desired, an
applied EPB will allow both feet to
be used for the clutch and
accelerator pedals in preparation for
starting the vehicle moving in the intended direction. In this case,
there is no need to push the switch
to release the EPB.
Brake Assist
The Brake Assist feature is
designed to assist the driver in
stopping or decreasing vehicle
speed in emergency driving
conditions. This feature uses the
stability system hydraulic brake
control module to supplement the
power brake system under
conditions where the driver has
quickly and forcefully applied the
brake pedal in an attempt to quickly
stop or slow down the vehicle. The
stability system hydraulic brake
control module increases brake
pressure at each corner of the
vehicle until the ABS activates.
Minor brake pedal pulsation or
pedal movement during this time is
normal and the driver should
continue to apply the brake pedal as
the driving situation dictates. The
Brake Assist feature will
automatically disengage when the
Black plate (43,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7576293) - 2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Driving and Operating 9-43
Driver Mode Selector Attributes
Affected
The Gauge Cluster Display is
configured for each mode when
linked (default):
.Tour: Modern theme which
features displays for audio and
navigation.
.Sport: Classic easy to read
Sports Car gauges.
.Track: Gauges design based on
Corvette Racing display with lap
timer.
Throttle Progression
Adjusts throttle sensitivity by
selecting how quick or slow the
throttle reacts to input.
Transmission Shift Mode −Paddle
Shift Automatic
.Adjusts to either a smoother or
firmer shift.
.Sport –Performance Algorithm
Liftfoot (PAL) recognizes
aggressive throttle maneuvers and holds lower gears for
greater engine braking and
enhanced vehicle control when
not using paddles. (Available in
Sport or Track mode.)
.Track
–Performance Algorithm
Shift (PAS) recognizes
aggressive cornering, heavy
braking, and high acceleration to
select and hold lower gears
when not using paddles.
Active Fuel Management (engine
cylinder shuts off)
4-Cylinder Mode
.Normal with automatic
transmission: The engine uses
8-cylinder mode when
accelerating, but changes to
4-cylinder mode when coasting.
.With manual transmission:
Active Fuel Management only
active in Eco mode.
.Off in Manual mode with
automatic transmission unless in
Eco mode.
.Eco keeps the engine in
4-cylinder mode unless heavy
acceleration is needed.
Exhaust (variable mode exhaust
system)
Changes when the variable exhaust
valves open.
Steering (Assist Effort)
Adjusts from a lighter steering feel
to reduced assist for more
steering feel.
Magnetic Ride Control (if
equipped)
Adjusts the shock dampening
firmness based on driving
conditions to improve comfort and
performance.
Launch Control
Available only in Track mode for
maximum “off–the–line” acceleration
when in Competitive or PTM modes.
Black plate (44,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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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.