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DRIVING AND OPERATING 213
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
(V-Series and V-Series
Blackwing)
Before any track event, there are three
features that should be turned off:
.Automatic Emergency Braking
(AEB). See Automatic Emergency
Braking (AEB) 0303.
.Lane Keep Assist. See Lane Keep
Assist (LKA) 0309.
.Adaptive Cruise Control. See
Adaptive Cruise Control (Advanced)
0269.
{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
(CONTINUED)
Danger (Continued)
in loss of control of the vehicle,
which could injure or kill you or
others. Always drive safely.
Track events and competitive driving
may affect the vehicle warranty. See
the warranty manual before using the
vehicle for competitive driving.
{Warning
Some of the adjustments and
procedures specified in this section
may require specialized skill,
training, and equipment. Failure to
perform these procedures properly
could cause malfunction,
potentially resulting in death,
personal injury, or damage to the
vehicle or property. Do not attempt
to perform these adjustments or
procedures unless properly
qualified.
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 215
Caution (Continued)
drive as long or as fast the first
time the vehicle is driven on the
track or raced.
.The axle lubricant should be
replaced with new lubricant.
.On vehicles without a differential
cooler, additional cooling capacity is
required for continuous competitive
driving. The V-Series Blackwing has
a differential cooler, so no
additional cooling capacity is
necessary.
Engine OilCaution
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 0331. Check the oil level often during track
events and competitive driving, and
keep the oil level at or near the upper
mark. See
“Checking the Engine Oil" in
Engine Oil 0331.
Fuel
Use premium unleaded gasoline with
a posted octane rating of 93 at a track
event. Unleaded gasoline with a
posted octane rating of 91 may be
used, but performance will be
degraded. See Prohibited Fuels 0312.
Automatic or Manual
Transmission Fluid
Have the transmission fluid set to the
track specific oil level prior to track
usage. Transmission fluid should be
changed after every 15 hours of track
usage. Any transmission level set or
change should be performed at the
dealer.
Brakes
Battery Disconnect
Disconnect the battery before
servicing the hydraulic brake system.
It is critical to disconnect the battery before bleeding the system, replacing
the pads, or any other work. The
battery must be disconnected to
prevent the brake master cylinder
from pressurizing the hydraulic
system during its automated self
diagnostic tests that may occur when
a door is opened or the remote key is
present.
{Warning
To avoid personal injury and/or
vehicle damage, always disconnect
the battery before performing
service work on the hydraulic brake
system. Bleeding the brake system
with the battery connected can lead
to excessive pressurization of the
system during automatic diagnostic
tests or diagnosis of a leak or air in
the braking system. A Diagnostic
Trouble Code (DTC) may set and
vehicle speed may be limited.
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 217
fluid is over a month old or unknown,
replace the brake fluid before track
events and competitive driving. Do
not use silicone or DOT 5 brake fluids.
Disconnect the battery before bleeding
the system, replacing the pads, or any
other work. The battery must be
disconnected to prevent the brake
master cylinder from pressurizing the
hydraulic system during its automated
self diagnostic tests that may occur
when a door is opened or the remote
key is present.
Check the fluid level before each
competitive driving event.
Brake System Flushing & Bleeding
The J55 brake system requires specific
processes for bleeding and fluid
flushing. These can be found in the
service manual.
Properly bleeding the brake system is
required for proper operation of the
hydraulic brake system.
Brake Leak Detection
The hydraulic braking system has
advanced diagnostic capability to help
detect hydraulic leaks, trapped air,and other performance issues. These
diagnostics are active when the
hydraulic system is powered. In order
to avoid inadvertently setting a leak
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC),
disconnect the battery before
servicing the brake system.
If the vehicle sets a DTC related to a
brake system leak, the Brake System
Warning Light will come on and
vehicle speed may be limited to
100 kph (62 mph). Any time a leak
DTC is set, the vehicle should be
inspected carefully for evidence of a
leak and should be repaired
immediately. See your dealer.
Brake Fade Warning Assist
The Brake Fade Warning Assist
system monitors the performance of
the brake system. If the system
detects brake fade, or if the brake
fluid is near the boiling point, the
driver will be alerted.
The Brake Fade Warning Assist
system is designed for use with the
factory-installed brake pads or GM
approved replacement pads. If the
brake pads on the vehicle need to be
replaced, use GM approved brakepads. If this is not done, the brake
fade warning system may not function
properly.
Stage 1 :
The DIC displays a “Reduce
Braking to Avoid Overheating”
message, a chime sounds and brake
pedal effort and travel is increased.
When the message displays, the driver
should back up braking points and
reduce brake usage in order to reduce
brake temperature. This will allow for
continued lapping with no speed
limitations.
Stage 2 : The DIC displays a Brakes
Overheated Service Now message, a
chime sounds, and brake pedal effort
and travel is further increased. This
code indicates that the brake fluid
temperature is excessive and is about
to boil. The system limits vehicle
speed to 100 km/h (62 mph). The
driver should immediately start a cool
down lap if on the track. If this
message displays, the vehicle needs to
be serviced. The brake system needs
to cool down, and the brake fluid
must be immediately flushed with
DOT 4 for street use, or to a qualified
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218 DRIVING AND OPERATING
DOT 4 race fluid for track use. Boiled
brake fluid is compromised and must
be replaced.
Brake Burnishing
For vehicles equipped with front
Brembo brake systems:
Performance/racing brake pads are
required prior to racing or closed track
driving. Vehicles with option code JE2
have performance brake pads. This
procedure should not be performed on
other models as damage may result.
New brake pads must be burnished
before racing or other competitive
driving.
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(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
procedure, otherwise damage may
occur to the powertrain/engine. See
New Vehicle Break-In0231.
Caution
Brake 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.
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. Street High Performance Brake
Burnishing Procedure
This section is for the V-Series
Blackwing with J57 carbon ceramic
brake rotors only.
This procedure should only be run on
a track or other non-public area, and
only on dry pavement.
Caution
Brake 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. From a stop, accelerate as rapidly as possible without activating
traction control to a speed of
100 km/h (60 mph).
2. Using the G-Force Gauge in the HUD display, use enough pedal
force to completely stop the vehicle
in four to five seconds. (~0.7g Decel
level to stop the vehicle in a
straight line). If ABS activates,
braking is too hard.
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 219
3. Repeat the first two steps 20consecutive times, this should take
about five minutes.
4. After completing the 20 stops, cool the brakes by driving for 8 km
(5 mi) at 100 km/h (60 mph).
Alternative Closed Course Brake
Burnishing Procedure
This brake burnish procedure should
only be run on vehicles with a factory
equipped brake system.
This procedure should only be run on
a track and only on dry pavement.
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. Start track lapping at lower speeds and lower braking efforts for
three minutes of driving. Allow for
increased braking distances due to
reduced brake output.
2. After Step 1, increase speed and braking effort for the next six
minutes of lapping, gradually
ending up at 90% effort. Continue to allow for increased braking
distance due to reduced brake
output.
3. Cool the brakes by lapping with minimal light braking for six
minutes.
As with all high performance brake
systems, some amount of brake squeal
is normal.
Suspension
Track Prep —Camber Set
To achieve the maximum camber
setting for track use, follow this
procedure prior to the final track
alignment.
1. Remove the Upper Radiator Baffle and both front shock tower braces.
2. Remove the strut rebound stop.
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 223
5. Set Slip Target to custom desiredsetting.
.Manual Trans: Apply full
throttle to activate Launch
Control and quickly release the
clutch pedal to launch the
vehicle.
Automatic Transmission
.Auto Trans: Firmly press and
hold the brake pedal to activate
Launch Control.
6. Auto Trans Only - Quickly applyfull throttle. Release the brake
pedal to launch the vehicle.
Line Lock (If Equipped)
{Warning
The vehicle may move unexpectedly
when using Line Lock, which could
cause injury to persons or property
located nearby. Only use Line Lock
on a closed track where there is a
large clear area around all sides of
the vehicle. Be ready to apply the
brakes immediately if the vehicle
begins to move. Do not use Line
Lock in an area that is accessible to
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the public or where people or
property are located near the
vehicle.
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.
Line Lock allows for locking the front
brakes independently of the rear
brakes. This allows the rear tires to
spin when the throttle is applied.
To enter Line Lock, all of these
conditions must be met:
.The vehicle must be in Track Mode.
.Performance Traction Management
(PTM) Mode must be enabled.
.The steering wheel must be straight.
.The driver door must be closed.
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224 DRIVING AND OPERATING
.The vehicle must be in D (Drive) for
an automatic transmission or
1 (First) gear for a manual
transmission.
.The parking brake must not be
engaged.
.The vehicle must be stopped on
level ground. The accelerator pedal
must not be applied.
1. Using the Driver InformationCenter (DIC) buttons on the right
side of the steering wheel, navigate
to the Line Lock menu within
Launch Control. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) (Base Level)
0 109 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0112.
2. Press the brake pedal firmly to
move the bar graph to 100%.
3. Release the brake pedal.
4. There are 15 seconds to complete the burnout and exit.
5. To release the brakes and roll out,
press
*and SEL at the same time.
If the burnout is not completed in
15 seconds, torque will be reduced to
idle, the parking brake will be applied,
Line Lock releases, and Custom
Launch Control will be disabled.
Ensure the parking brake is
disengaged to re-enter Launch
Control.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle
traction and affect your ability to stop
and accelerate. Always drive slower in
these types of driving conditions and
avoid driving through large puddles
and deep-standing or flowing water.
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DRIVING AND OPERATING 225
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They
might not work as well in a quick
stop and could cause pulling to one
side. You could lose control of the
vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle
of water or a car/vehicle wash,
lightly apply the brake pedal until
the brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Caution
Driving through deep puddles or
standing water can cause water to
come in through the engine air
intake and damage the engine.(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
If deep puddles or standing water
cannot be avoided, proceed with
caution and do not exceed 8 km/h
(5 mph). Do not drive through
water that may come close to or
cover the vehicle’s underbody.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can
build up under the vehicle's tires so
they actually ride on the water. This
can happen if the road is wet enough
and you are going fast enough. When
the vehicle is hydroplaning, it has
little or no contact with the road.
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. SeeTires0363.
.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 include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in
good shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,
tires, and cooling system.
.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.