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A message will display in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) when the
brake pads show excessive wear.
Brake Fluid
Replace existing brake fluid with a
qualified DOT 4 high performance
brake fluid from a sealed container.
Brake fluid with a dry boiling point
>310 °C (590 °F) is qualified. If high
performance brake fluid is used,
replace it with GM approved brake
fluid before driving on public roads.
If high performance brake fluid is in
the vehicle and the age of the brake
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.
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 can possibly
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 J56 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 inspectedcarefully 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 brake
pads. 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.
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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
DOT 4 race fluid for track use. Boiled
brake fluid is compromised and must
be replaced.
Brake Burnishing
New brake pads must be burnished
before racing or other competitive
driving.Caution
These procedures are specific to the
V-Series with performance brake
linings package. This procedure
should not be run on other models
as damage may result.
Caution
The new vehicle break-in period
should be completed before
performing the brake burnishing
procedure or damage may occur to
the powertrain/engine. See New
Vehicle Break-In 0236.
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 performed as instructed, these
procedures will not damage the
brakes. During the burnishing procedure, the brake pads will smoke
and produce an odor. The braking
force and pedal travel may increase.
After the procedure is complete, the
brake pads may appear white at the
rotor contact.
Perform these procedures in a safe
manner and in compliance with all
local and state ordinances/laws
regarding motor vehicle operation.
Perform the procedures only on dry
pavement.
As with all high performance brake
systems, some amount of brake squeal
is normal.
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.
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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.
3. Repeat the first two steps 20 consecutive 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.
Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignment suggested specs for
track use:
Road Course (V-Series)
.Front: -2.0 deg camber, 0.2 deg
total toe
.Rear: -1.7 deg camber, 0.2 deg
total toe
Road Course (V-Series Blackwing)
.Front: -2.5 deg camber, 0.1 deg
total toe
.Rear: -1.5 deg camber, 0.1 deg
total toe
Tire Inflation Pressure
Guidelines
Tire inflation pressures affect vehicle
handling and tire life, and should be
adjusted for various types of tracks/
courses.
Inspect the tires prior to every track/
course session. Track/course driving
will reduce the tire tread life.
To maximize tire life, drive 800 km
(500 mi) prior to racetrack driving or
complete the minimum track running
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that will increase the tire pressures by
35 kPa (5 psi). After this, immediately
let the tires cool to cold pressures.
Tire Inflation Pressure High Speed
SeeTire Pressure for High-Speed
Operation 0375.
Tire Inflation Pressure for Track
Driving
For driving on a race course, if the
vehicle is equipped with 275/35ZR19
(100Y) and 305/30ZR19 (102Y) tires,
set the cold (stationary) tire pressures
to 28 psi. During track sessions, set
the tire pressures at 35 to 38 psi for
hot tires. If pressures exceed 38 psi,
adjust the pressures down to 35 to
38 psi. Return the tires to the
recommended cold tire inflation
pressure when track driving has
ended.
Driving and Operating
{Warning
Operating the vehicle at high speeds
can be dangerous. Improper tire
inflation pressure can put (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
additional strain on the tires and
can cause a sudden failure. Make
sure the tires are in excellent
condition, and use the correct cold
tire inflation pressure for the
vehicle load and track/course.
{Warning
Tracks/courses put high loads on
tires operating at high speed, which
can lead to tire failure if not
inflated properly. Always limit
vehicle cargo to the driver plus one
passenger with no additional cargo.
{Warning
Track/course loads wear tires both
on the tread and internal to the
tire. When driven in track/course
conditions, even if tread is not worn
down to the treadwear indicator,
tires must be replaced after the
equivalent of two tanks of fuel or
approximately 160 km (100 mi).
Custom Launch Control (If
Equipped)
Custom Launch Control allows the
following parameters for Launch
Control to be modified:
.Launch RPM
.Slip Target (5%–15%)
.Surface Type
To adjust the Launch RPM, all of
these conditions must be met:
.The vehicle must be in Track Mode.
See “Track Mode ”under Driver Mode
Control 0259.
.Performance Traction Management
(PTM) Mode must be enabled. See
Driver Mode Control 0259.
.The steering wheel must be straight.
.The driver door must be closed.
.The transmission must be in D
(Drive) or forward gear.
.The parking brake must not be
engaged.
For more information on Competitive
Driving Mode, see Competitive Driving
Mode 0265.
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228 DRIVING AND OPERATING
1. Using the DIC buttons on the rightside of the steering wheel, navigate
to the Launch Control menu. See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level) 0116 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0119.
2. Press SEL to select Custom.
3. Scroll down to Launch RPM.
4. Adjust the desired RPM: 2000–4000 RPM for manual
transmissions and 1000–2400 for
automatic.
Manual Transmission
5. Set Slip Target to custom desired setting.
.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.
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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
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.
.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 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)
0 116 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0119.
2. Press the brake pedal firmly to
move the bar graph to 100%.
3. Release the brake pedal.
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230 DRIVING AND OPERATING
4. There are 15 seconds to completethe 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.
{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
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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.
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.
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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. SeeTires0367.
.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, cooling system, and
transmission.
.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.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or
with the ignition off is dangerous.
This can cause overheating of the
brakes and loss of steering assist.
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, crash).
.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
Caution
To avoid damage to the wheels and
brake components, always clear
snow and ice from inside the
wheels and underneath the vehicle
before driving.
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.