Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - CRC - 11/8/17
22 In Brief
SeeUniversal Remote System
0 133.
Roof Panel
If equipped with a removable roof
panel, there are three release
handles. Two are at the front of the
roof panel and one is at the rear of
the roof panel. See “Removing the
Roof Panel” underRoof Panel 048.
Help may be needed to remove the
roof panel. Always store the roof
panel properly in the rear storage
compartment.
For more information:
. See “Storing the Roof Panel”
under Roof Panel 048.
. See “Installing the Roof Panel”
under Roof Panel 048.
Convertible
If equipped, the convertible top can
be automatically opened and
closed. For step-by-step
instructions, see Convertible Top
0 52.
Performance and
Maintenance
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
The Traction Control System (TCS)
limits wheel spin. The system turns
on automatically every time the
vehicle is started.
StabiliTrak 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 system turns on
automatically every time the vehicle
is started.
.
To turn off TCS, press and
release
gon the center console.
iilluminates in the instrument
cluster.
. To turn off both TCS and
StabiliTrak, press and hold
g,
until the Traction Off light
iand the StabiliTrak OFF light
g
illuminate in the instrument
cluster.
. Press and release
gagain to
turn on both systems.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0196.
The vehicle has Driver Mode
Control and may have Competitive
Driving Mode. See Driver Mode
Control 0198 andCompetitive
Driving Mode 0201.
Tire Pressure Monitor
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The low tire pressure warning light
alerts to a significant loss in
pressure of one of the vehicle's
tires. If the warning light comes on,
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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114 Instruments and Controls
Parking Brake system. A message
may also display in the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
If the light does not come on,
or remains flashing, see your dealer.
Service Electric Parking
Brake Light
The service electric parking brake
light should come on briefly when
starting the vehicle. If it does not
come on, have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer.
If this light stays on, there is a
problem with a system on the
vehicle that is causing the parking
brake system to work at a reduced
level. The vehicle can still be
driven, but should be taken to a
dealer as soon as possible. SeeElectric Parking Brake
0193.
A message may also display in the
Driver Information Center (DIC).
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have it
fixed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
If the light comes on while driving,
stop as soon as it is safely possible
and turn off the vehicle. Then start
the engine again to reset the
system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the
vehicle needs service. A chime may
also sound when the light comes on
steady. If the ABS light is the only light on,
the vehicle has regular brakes, but
the antilock brakes are not
functioning.
If both the ABS and the brake
system warning light are on, the
vehicle's antilock brakes are not
functioning and there is a problem
with the regular brakes. See your
dealer for service.
See
Brake System Warning Light
0 113.Traction Off Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer. If the system is working
normally, the indicator light then
turns off.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Instruments and Controls 125
HUD Troubleshooting
Check that:
.Nothing is covering the
HUD lens.
. HUD brightness setting is not
too dim or too bright.
. HUD is adjusted to the proper
height.
. Polarized sunglasses are
not worn.
. Windshield and HUD lens are
clean.
If the HUD image is not correct,
contact your dealer.
The windshield is part of the HUD
system. See Windshield
Replacement 0248.
Vehicle Messages
Messages displayed on the DIC
indicate the status of the vehicle or
some action that may be needed to
correct a condition. Multiple
messages may appear one after
another.
The messages that do not require
immediate action can be
acknowledged and cleared by
pressing
V. The messages that
require immediate action cannot be
cleared until that action is
performed.
All messages should be taken
seriously; clearing the message
does not correct the problem.
If a SERVICE message appears,
see your dealer.
Follow the instructions given in the
messages. The system displays
messages regarding the following
topics:
. Service Messages
. Fluid Levels
. Vehicle Security .
Brakes
. Ride Control Systems
. Driver Assistance Systems
. Cruise Control
. Lighting and Bulb Replacement
. Wiper/Washer Systems
. Doors and Windows
. Seat Belts
. Airbag Systems
. Engine and Transmission
. Tire Pressure
. Battery
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the
vehicle's propulsion power is
reduced. Reduced propulsion power
can affect the vehicle's ability to
accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no observed reduction
in performance, proceed to your
destination. The performance may
be reduced the next time the vehicle
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 155
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Track Events and CompetitiveDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 170
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 171
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 173
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 177
Front Air Dam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Composite Materials . . . . . . . . . . 178
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Parking (Manual
Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Parking over Things
That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Active Fuel Management . . . . . 184
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 185
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Manual Transmission
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . 190
Active Rev Match . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . 193
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 195
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . 198
Competitive Driving Mode . . . . 201
Limited-Slip Differential (Stingray without
Z51 Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Limited-Slip Differential (Z06, Grand Sport, and Stingray
with Z51) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Driver Assistance Systems
Assistance Systems forParking or Backing . . . . . . . . . . 208
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . 211
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - CRC - 11/8/17
Driving and Operating 157
{Warning
Taking your eyes off the road too
long or too often could cause a
crash resulting in injury or death.
Focus your attention on driving.
Refer to the infotainment manual for
more information on using that
system and the navigation system,
if equipped, including pairing and
using a cell phone.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
the seat belt. See Seat Belts066.
. Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and
other drivers) are going to be
careless and make mistakes.
Anticipate what they might do
and be ready.
. Allow enough following distance
between you and the driver in
front of you. .
Focus on the task of driving.
Drunk Driving
Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even
a small amount of alcohol. You
can have a serious —or even
fatal —collision if you drive after
drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with
a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are
with a group, designate a driver
who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating
are important factors in helping to
control a vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding to
push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is
about three-quarters of a second. In
that time, a vehicle moving at
100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m
(66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind
include:
. Keep enough distance between
you and the vehicle in front
of you.
. Avoid needless heavy braking.
. Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the
engine stops, there will be some
power brake assist but it will be
used when the brake is applied.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - CRC - 11/8/17
Driving and Operating 159
3. Turn the steering wheel to gostraight 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.
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
{Danger
High-performance features are
intended for use only on closed
tracks by experienced and
qualified drivers and should not
be used on public roads.
High-speed driving, aggressive
cornering, hard braking, and other
high-performance driving can be
dangerous. Improper driver inputs
for the conditions may result in
loss of control of the vehicle,
which could injure or kill you or
others. Always drive safely.
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
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 163
Caution
Performing the brake burnish
procedure on a base brake
system can result in brake
damage.
Caution
The new vehicle break-in period
should be completed before
performing the brake burnish
procedure, otherwise damage
may occur to the powertrain/
engine. SeeNew Vehicle
Break-In 0177.
Caution
Brake pedal fade will occur during
any track burnish procedure and
can cause brake pedal travel and
force to increase. This could
extend stopping distance until the
brakes are fully burnished. 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 Burnishing Procedure
(Grand Sport or Z06 without J57
Ceramic Brakes or Z07
Performance Package)
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.
Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374030) - 2018 - CRC - 11/8/17
164 Driving and Operating
Street High Performance Brake
Burnishing Procedure (Grand
Sport or Z06 with J57 Ceramic
Brakes or Z07 Performance
Package)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. Racing/Track Brake Burnishing
Procedure (Grand Sport and Z06
with Z07 Performance Package or
J57 Ceramic Brakes)
This procedure should only be run
on a track and only on dry
pavement.
Caution
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, not too aggressively.
2. Laps 2 and 3 should be gradually driven faster and
more aggressively, while
allowing for reduced brake
output and increased stopping
distance due to brake fade. 3. Drive Lap 4 near 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.Front Compartment Air
Deflector Panel
Prior to the track event, when
ambient temperatures are above
27 °C (80 °F), the panel between
the front fascia extension and the
front cradle can be removed to
maximize cooling air flow to the
steering gear power assist motor.