Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9085364) - 2016 - crc - 9/15/15
Climate Controls 155
If equipped with heated outside
rearview mirrors, they turn on with
the rear window defogger and help
to clear fog or frost from the surface
of the mirror. SeeHeated
Mirrors 042.
If equipped with a power convertible
top, the rear window defogger and
heated mirrors are automatically
disabled when the power convertible
top is moving or down.
Caution
Using a razor blade or sharp
object on the inside rear window
can damage the antenna or
defogger. Repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Do not stick anything to the rear
window.
z/{(Driver and Passenger
Heated and Ventilated Seats, If
Equipped) : Press to heat or
ventilate the seat. See Heated and
Ventilated Front Seats 059. Remote Start Climate Control
Operation (If Equipped) :
If remote
start is used to start the vehicle, the
climate control system will come on.
The system uses the driver ’s
previous settings to heat or cool the
inside of the vehicle. The rear
window defogger or heated outside
rearview mirrors, if equipped, may
come on based on cold ambient
conditions. The rear defog indicator
light may not come on during a
remote start. The heated or
ventilated seats may turn on if it is
cold or hot outside. See Remote
Vehicle Start 031 and Heated and
Ventilated Front Seats 059,
if equipped.
Sensors
The interior cabin air temperature
and solar sensor on top of the
instrument panel near the
windshield monitors the solar heat
and measures the initial interior
cabin temperature. The climate control system uses the
sensor information to adjust the
temperature, fan speed,
recirculation, and air delivery mode
for best comfort.
The humidity and windshield
temperature sensor is on the
windshield glass inside surface near
the rearview mirror. The automatic
climate control system uses this
sensor to receive information to
determine the need for defogging.
If any of these sensors are blocked
or covered, the automatic climate
control system may not work
properly.
There is also a sensor behind the
front bumper. This sensor reads the
outside air temperature and helps to
maintain the temperature inside the
vehicle. Any cover on the front of
the vehicle could give a false
reading in the temperature.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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156 Climate Controls
Air Vents
Use the tab on the air outlets to
change the direction of the airflow.
Operation Tips
.Clear away any ice, snow,
or leaves from the air inlets at
the base of the windshield that
may block the flow of air into the
vehicle.
. Use of non-GM approved hood
deflectors may adversely affect
the performance of the system.
. Keep the area around the base
of the instrument panel console
and air path under the seats
clear of objects to help circulate
the air inside of the vehicle more
effectively.
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter
The passenger compartment air
filter reduces dust, pollen, and other
airborne irritants from outside air
that is pulled into the vehicle.
Reductions in airflow, which may
occur more often in dusty areas,
indicate that the filter may need to
be replaced. See Maintenance
Schedule 0298.
Caution
Driving without a passenger
compartment air filter in place can
cause water and small particles,
like paper and leaves, to be
pulled into your climate control
system which may cause damage
to it. Make sure you always
replace the old filter with a
new one. The passenger compartment air
filter is on the passenger side of the
engine compartment near the
coolant surge tank. See
Engine
Compartment Overview 0218.
To check or replace the air filter:
1. Release the retainer clips from the passenger compartment air
filter cover. The PVC hoses
may need to be held out of the
way briefly to access the air
filter cover.
2. Remove the cover.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9085364) - 2016 - crc - 9/15/15
158 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Track Events and CompetitiveDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 168
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 168
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 170
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 174
Front Air Dam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Carbon Fiber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Parking (Manual
Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Active Fuel Management
®. . . . 181
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 182
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Manual Transmission
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . 187
Active Rev Match . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 190
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 192
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . 194
Competitive Driving Mode . . . . 198 Limited-Slip Differential
(Except Z51 and Z06) . . . . . . . 201
Limited-Slip Differential (Z51 and Z06 Only) . . . . . . . . . 202
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Driver Assistance Systems
Assistance Systems forParking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 205
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 208
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On ElectricalEquipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 161
Curve Tips
.Take curves at a reasonable
speed.
. Reduce speed before entering a
curve.
. Maintain a reasonable steady
speed through the curve.
. Wait until the vehicle is out of
the curve before accelerating
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when
steering around a problem may
be more effective than braking.
. Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) allows steering while
braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving. Follow
these tips:
1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the
way, steer the vehicle so that it
straddles the edge of the
pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the
right front tire contacts the
pavement edge. 3. Turn the steering wheel to go
straight down the roadway.
Loss of Control
Skidding
There are three types of skids that
correspond to the vehicle's three
control systems:
.Braking Skid —wheels are not
rolling.
. Steering or Cornering Skid —
too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and
lose cornering force.
. Acceleration Skid —too much
throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
. Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and steer the
way you want the vehicle to go.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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162 Driving and Operating
The vehicle may straighten out.
Be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.
. Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues —such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt.
. Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed
by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.Track Events and
Competitive Driving
Participating in track events or other
competitive driving without following
the instructions provided may affect
the vehicle warranty. See the
warranty manual before using the
vehicle for racing or other
competitive driving.
Refer to Competitive Driving
Mode 0198.
Be sure to follow all service
procedures before driving the
vehicle at track events or
competitively.
Engine Sound Management
Setting
Caution
Do not place vehicle in Engine
Sound Management –Stealth
mode. Damage could result to
exhaust valve actuators. Engine Oil
Caution
If the vehicle is used for track
events and competitive driving,
the engine may use more oil than
it would with normal use. Low oil
levels can damage the engine.
Check the oil level often and
maintain the proper level. See
Engine Oil
0223.
Caution
Not changing the engine oil to
15W-50 may cause engine
damage. Engine oil must be
changed to 15W-50 synthetic.
See Capacities and
Specifications 0312.
Z51 Performance Package and Z06
Only: Check the oil level often
during track events and competitive
driving and keep the level at or near
0.5 L (0.5 qt) above the upper mark
that shows the proper operating
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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166 Driving and Operating
When this procedure is performed
as instructed, it will not damage the
brakes. The brake pads will smoke
and produce an odor. The braking
force and pedal travel may increase.
After the procedure, the brake pads
may appear white at the rotor
contact.
Perform this procedure only on dry
pavement, in a safe manner, and in
compliance with all local and state
ordinances/laws regarding motor
vehicle operation.
Brake Burnish Procedure (Z51
Performance Package and Z06
without Z07 Performance Package
or Z06 without J57 Ceramic
Brakes)1. Apply the brakes 25 times starting at 100 km/h (60 mph) to
50 km/h (30 mph) while
decelerating at 0.4 g. This is a
medium brake application.
Drive for at least 1 km (0.6 mi)
between applying the brakes.
This first step may be skipped
if there are more than 320 km
(200 mi) on the brake pads. 2. Repeatedly apply the brakes
from 100 km/h (60 mph) to
25 km/h (15 mph) while
decelerating at 0.8 g. This is a
hard brake application, without
activating the Antilock Brake
System (ABS). Drive for at
least 1 km (0.6 mi) between
stops. Repeat until the brake
pedal travel starts to increase.
Depending on conditions, this
should take no longer than 25
brake applications.
3. Cool down: Drive at 100 km/h (60 mph) for approximately
15 km (10 mi) without using the
brakes.
4. Apply the brakes 25 times from 100 km/h (60 mph) to 50 km/h
(30 mph) while decelerating at
0.4 g. This is a medium brake
application. Drive for at least
1 km (0.6 mi) between
applications. Street High Performance Brake
Burnishing Procedure (Z06 with
Z07 Performance Package or Z06
with J57 Ceramic Brakes)
1. From a stop, accelerate as rapidly as possible without
activating traction control to a
speed of 100 km/h (60 mph).
2. Use enough pedal force to completely stop the vehicle in
four to five seconds. If ABS
activates, braking is too hard.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 –50
times. This should take about
10 minutes.
4. After completing the 50 stops, cool the brakes by driving for
8 km (5 mi) at 100 km/h
(60 mph).
As with all high performance brake
systems, some amount of brake
squeal is normal.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 169
{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
loss of steering. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle
in gear.
. Drive at speeds that keep the
vehicle in its own lane. Do not
swing wide or cross the
center line. .
Be alert on top of hills;
something could be in your lane
(e.g., stalled car, accident).
. Pay attention to special road
signs (e.g., falling rocks area,
winding roads, long grades,
passing or no-passing zones)
and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and
the road creates less traction or
grip, so drive carefully. Wet ice can
occur at about 0 °C (32 °F) when
freezing rain begins to fall. Avoid
driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels to
spin and makes the surface
under the tires slick.
. Turn on Traction Control. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0192. .
The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) improves vehicle stability
during hard stops, but the
brakes should be applied sooner
than when on dry pavement.
See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 0189.
. Allow greater following distance
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.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
signal for help. Stay with the vehicle
unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside
Assistance Program 0319. To get
help and keep everyone in the
vehicle safe:
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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170 Driving and Operating
.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 snow:
. Clear snow from the base of
the vehicle, especially any
blocking the exhaust pipe.
. Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the vehicle side
that is away from the wind,
to bring in fresh air.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Adjust the climate control
system to circulate the air
inside the vehicle and set
the fan speed to the highest
setting. See “Climate
Control Systems.”
For more information about CO,
see Engine Exhaust 0181.
To save fuel, run the engine for
short periods to warm the vehicle
and then shut the engine off and
partially close the window. Moving
about to keep warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running 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 0192.
{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).