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Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . 169
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Track Events and CompetitiveDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Front Air Dam (and Splitter) . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Composite Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . 192
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . 194 Active Fuel Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . 195
Dual Clutch Transmission
Dual Clutch Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . 204
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Hill Rollback Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Driver Mode Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Front Lift System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Competitive Driving Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Limited-Slip Differential (Stingray Models Without Z51 Performance
Package) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Limited-Slip Differential (Stingray With Z51 Performance Package and
Z06 model) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Assistance Systems for Parking orBacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Curb View Camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 229
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . 230
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Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage. Here
are some driving tips to get the best fuel
economy possible:
.Set the climate controls to the desired
temperature after the engine is started,
or turn them off when not required.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long periods
of time.
.When road and weather conditions are
appropriate, use cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed limits or
drive more slowly when conditions
require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly inflated.
.Combine several trips into a single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with the same
TPC Spec number molded into the tire's
sidewall near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
.Using Tour mode rather than Sport or
Track modes, will result in better Active
Fuel Management operation. SeeActive
Fuel Management 0194.
.For recommended shift speeds, see Dual
Clutch Transmission 0195.
Premium Fuel
Use the recommended fuel. See
Recommended Fuel 0227.
Distracted Driving
Distraction comes in many forms and can
take your focus from the task of driving.
Exercise good judgment and do not let other
activities divert your attention away from
the road. Many local governments have
enacted laws regarding driver distraction.
Become familiar with the local laws in
your area.
To avoid distracted driving, keep your eyes
on the road, keep your hands on the
steering wheel, and focus your attention on
driving.
.Do not use a phone in demanding driving
situations. Use a hands-free method to
place or receive necessary phone calls.
.Watch the road. Do not read, take notes,
or look up information on phones or
other electronic devices.
.Designate a front seat passenger to
handle potential distractions.
.Become familiar with vehicle features
before driving, such as programming
favorite radio stations and adjusting
climate control and seat settings. Program
all trip information into any navigation
device prior to driving.
.Wait until the vehicle is parked to
retrieve items that have fallen to the
floor.
.Stop or park the vehicle to tend to
children.
.Keep pets in an appropriate carrier or
restraint.
.Avoid stressful conversations while
driving, whether with a passenger or on a
cell phone.
{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.
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170 Driving and Operating
Refer to the infotainment section 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 Belts 044.
.Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers)
are going to be careless and make
mistakes. Anticipate what they may do
and be ready.
.Allow enough following distance between
you and the driver in front of you.
.Focus on the task of driving.
Impaired Driving
Death and injury associated with impaired
driving is a global tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking alcohol or taking drugs and then
driving is very dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and judgment
can be affected by even a small amount
of alcohol or drugs. You can have a
serious —or even fatal —collision if you
drive after drinking or taking drugs.
Do not drive while under the influence of
alcohol or drugs, or ride with a driver
who has been drinking or is impaired by
drugs. Find alternate transportation
home; or if you are with a group,
designate a driver who will remain sober.
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 or a brake fault
occurs, the brakes may lose power assist.
More effort will be required to stop the
vehicle. It may take longer to stop.
Steering
Caution
To avoid damage to the steering system,
do not drive over curbs, parking barriers,
or similar objects at speeds greater than
3 km/h (1 mph). Use care when driving
over other objects such as lane dividers
and speed bumps. Damage caused by
misuse of the vehicle is not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
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Electric Power Steering
The vehicle is equipped with an electric
power steering system, which reduces the
amount of effort needed to steer the
vehicle. It does not have power steering
fluid. Regular maintenance is not required.
If the vehicle experiences a system
malfunction and loses power steering,
greater steering effort may be required.
Power steering assist also may be reduced if
you turn the steering wheel as far as it can
turn and hold it there with force for an
extended period of time.
See your dealer if there is a problem.
Dynamic Rack Travel
Dynamic Rack Travel (DRT) is a steering
system feature of Magnetic Ride Control.
If equipped, this feature provides additional
maximum steering wheel rotation to allow
for tighter turns when driving a low speeds.
As the vehicle speed increases or if the
suspension encounters significant wheel
travel, such as a driveway, while at
maximum steering rotation, DRT may gently
push the steering back a small amount to
prevent the front tires from contacting the
vehicle. This is normal operation. There is no
customer interface or display for this
feature. DRT is not available when in
Track Mode.
Curve Tips
.Take curves at a reasonable speed.
.Reduce speed before entering a curve.
.Maintain a reasonable and 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 an obstacle 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:
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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. 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
All Z06 models or Stingray models equipped
with Z51 performance package can be used
for track events and competitive driving. For
additional details on vehicle track
preparation, see Chevrolet.com > Corvette
Experience > Guides > Track Prep Guide.
{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
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using the vehicle for racing or other
competitive driving. SeeCompetitive Driving
Mode 0215.
{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.
Be sure to follow all service procedures
before driving the vehicle at track events or
competitively. See New Vehicle Break-In
0 189.
{Warning
Prior to each track event and again
before returning to public roads, tighten
the wheel nuts with a torque wrench to
the proper torque specification. Wheel
nuts that are improperly or incorrectly
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
tightened can cause the wheels to
become loose or come off, resulting in a
crash. SeeCapacities and Specifications
0 315 for wheel nut torque specifications.
For Z06 vehicles only, remove the front
license plate and bracket (if installed) and
remove the front aero covers before track
use. See your dealer for complete procedure.
Engine Sound Management Setting
Caution
Do not place the 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 (5.5L LT6
Engine) 0242 or
Engine Oil (6.2L LT2 Engine) 0245.
Check the oil level often during track events
and competitive driving. See “Checking the
Engine Oil" in Engine Oil (5.5L LT6 Engine)
0 242 or
Engine Oil (6.2L LT2 Engine) 0245.
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Engine Cooling
If reduced performance is experienced during
track events or competitive driving, turning
off the A/C will help to improve engine
performance.
Maintain a mixture of 40% DEX-COOL
coolant and 60% clean, drinkable water to
optimize engine performance.
Fuel
Unleaded gasoline, rated at 93 octane or
higher, is required.
Caution
Some high octane fuels contain additives
and compounds that may damage the
vehicle and void the vehicle warranty. See
Prohibited Fuels0227.
Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) Fluid
The transmission fluid and external canister
filter should be changed after every 24 hours
of track use. Change the fluid and external
canister filter as soon as possible if
prompted by the transmission fluid life
monitor that remaining fluid life is low. Stingray
Add an additional 2 L (2 qt) of DCT
transmission fluid before track use. It is not
required to remove the additional 2 L (2 qt)
of DCT fluid after the track event.
Any transmission level set or change should
be performed at your dealer.
Z06
Additional transmission fluid is not required
for the Z06. The Z06 comes track ready
from the factory.
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 can
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 the system diagnosing a leak
or air in the braking system. A Diagnostic
Trouble Code (DTC) may set and vehicle
speed may be limited.
Brake Fluid
Replace existing brake fluid with a qualified
high performance DOT 4 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.
Check the fluid level before each competitive
driving event.
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Brake System Flushing and Bleeding
The J55, J56, and J57 brake systems require
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. To avoid
inadvertently setting a leak 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 brake system performance. 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 Driver Information Center (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 Driver Information Center
(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
100KPH/62MPH. 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 DOT4 for
street use, or to a qualified DOT4 race fluid
for track use. Boiled brake fluid is
compromised and must be replaced.
Brake Burnishing
Caution
Performing the brake burnish procedure
on a base brake system can result in
brake damage.