traction control CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2001 5.G Owners Manual

2-40
Running Your Engine While You're
Parked (Automatic Transmission)
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control system
off could allow dangerous exhaust into your
vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaust.º
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
See ªBlizzardº in the Index.
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don't leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you've left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle won't move, even when you're on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
Limited-Slip Rear Axle
Your limited-slip rear axle can give you additional traction
on snow, mud, ice, sand or gravel. It works like a standard
axle most of the time, but when one of the rear wheels has
no traction and the other does, this feature will allow the
wheel with traction to move the vehicle.

2-48
When using cruise control, the accelerator pedal will
return to its fully
-released position and will not move
while cruise control is engaged.
The Driver Information Center (DIC) will display the
cruise set speed in a digital number. For example, the
DIC will say CRUISE SET 60 mph (97 km/h). The
cruise set speed and the speedometer indicated speed
may not always be exactly the same. When you
apply the brakes or push the clutch pedal, the cruise
control disengages. The DIC will show CRUISE
DISENGAGED. See ªDIC Warnings and Messagesº
in the Index.CAUTION:

Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can't drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don't use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.

Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control.
Don't use cruise control on slippery roads.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the Traction
Control System begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. See ªTraction
Control Systemº in the Index. When road conditions
allow you to safely use it again, you may turn the cruise
control back on.

2-77
The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Instrument Panel Brightness Control
B. Head
-Up Display Controls (Option)
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
D. Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Located in the Instrument Cluster)
E. Instrument Panel Cluster
F. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever
G. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons
H. Hazard Warning Flasher Button
I. Center Air Vents
J. Audio System
K. Comfort Controls
L. Fog Lamp Button (If Equipped)
M. Remote Hatch Release Button (Coupe) or
Remote Trunk Release Button (Convertible/Hardtop)
N. Ignition SwitchO. Shift Lever (Automatic Shown)
P. Traction Control System (TCS) Switch/Active
Handling Switch
Q. Accessory Power Outlet
(Located in the Center Console)
R. Selective Real Time Damping (SRTD) (Option)
S. Air Bag Off Light
T. Instrument Panel Cupholder
U. Remote Fuel Door Release Button
(Located in the Center Console)
V. Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
W. Parking Brake
X. Glove Box
Y. Instrument Panel Fuse Block
(Located behind the Toe
-Board)
Z. Air Bag Off Switch (Located in Glove Box)

2-85 Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake
system, the light will come
on when your engine is
started and may stay on
for several seconds.
That's normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on when you're driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or
comes on again while you're driving, your vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light isn't
on, you still have brakes, but you don't have anti
-lock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, you don't have anti
-lock brakes and there's a
problem with your regular brakes. See ªBrake System
Warning Lightº earlier in this section. Also see ªService
ABSº under ªDriver Information Center (DIC)
Messagesº in the Index.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Traction Control System (TCS) Light
This light should come
on briefly as you start the
engine. If the light doesn't
come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn
you if there's a problem.
If it stays on, or comes on and the DIC shows a
SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM message when you're
driving, there's a problem with your TCS system and
your vehicle needs service. When this light is on, the
system will not limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving
accordingly. If the driver turns off the Traction Control
System by pressing the button on the console, the
TCS system light will come on and the TRACTION
SYSTEM OFF message will show on the DIC.

2-86
Active Handling System Light
The Active Handling System light will come on briefly
as you start the engine. If the light does not come on
then, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if
there is a problem. The light will also come on while the
system warms up and the ACT HNDLING WARMING
UP message will be displayed in the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
If it stays on or comes
on while you are
driving, the DIC shows
a SERVICE ACTIVE
HNDLG message and a
chime sounds, there is a
problem with your
Active Handling
System and your
vehicle needs service.The driver can acknowledge this message by pressing
the RESET button. When the SERVICE ACTIVE
HNDLG message is displayed, the Active Handling
System will not assist you in controlling the vehicle.
You should have the system serviced as soon as
possible. Adjust your driving accordingly.
When the system is working, you will see the ACTIVE
HANDLING message displayed in the DIC. You may
also feel or hear the system working. This is normal.
If the driver turns off the Active Handling System by
pressing the button on the console, the Active Handling
System light will come on, a chime will sound, and the
TRAC/ACT HNDLG OFF message will be displayed in
the DIC. The Traction Control System will also be
turned off. See ªDriver Information Center Messagesº
in the Index for more information.
If the Active Handling System and the Traction Control
System are off, pressing the console button momentarily
will turn both systems on. The DIC will display the
TRAC/ACT HNDLG ON message, the instrument
cluster light will be off, and a chime will sound. See
ªDriver Information Center Messagesº in the Index for
more information.

2-103 DIC Warnings and Messages
The following messages and warnings may appear in the
DIC display. The DIC display area is located in the
instrument panel cluster below the speedometer and
tachometer, directly above the steering column. You may
receive more than one message at a time. Messages will
appear one behind the other. To acknowledge a message
and remove it from the display, press RESET. You may
scroll through the messages that may have been sent at the
same time. The message center is continuously updated
with the vehicle performance status.
ABS ACTIVE (Anti
-Lock Brake System Active):
When your anti
-lock system is adjusting brake pressure
to help avoid a braking skid, the ABS ACTIVE message
will be displayed.
Slippery road conditions may exist if this message is
displayed, so adjust your driving accordingly. The
message will stay on for a few seconds after the system
stops adjusting brake pressure.
ACT HNDLG
- WARMING UP: When you first start
your vehicle (especially during cold winter weather),
and begin to drive away (up to 6 mph (10 km/h)), the
message ACT HNDLG
- WARMING UP may be
displayed in the DIC, the instrument panel cluster light
will be on, and a chime will sound. This is normal.
You can acknowledge this message by pressing theRESET button. The Active Handling System
performance is affected until the next message WARM
UP COMPLETE is displayed in the DIC.
During hot or cold temperature conditions, this message
may be displayed in the DIC after exceeding 12 mph
(20 kph) for 30 seconds. The Active Handling System is off
until the WARM UP COMPLETE message is displayed.
WARM UP COMPLETE: If you receive this message
and hear a chime, the system has completed the
functional check of the Active Handling System.
TRAC/ACT HNDLG
- ON: If the Traction Control and
Active Handling Systems are off, depressing the Active
Handling System console button momentarily will turn
both systems on. The message TRAC/ACT HNDLG
- ON
will be displayed temporarily in the DIC, the instrument
panel cluster light will be off and a chime will sound.
TRAC/ACT HNDLG
- OFF: By pressing the Active
Handling System console button briefly, the driver can
turn the Traction Control and Active Handling Systems
off. The message TRAC/ACT HNDLG
- OFF will be
displayed in the DIC, the instrument panel cluster light
will be on and a chime will sound. You can acknowledge
this message by pressing the RESET button. The anti
-lock
brake systems remains on with the Traction Control and
Active Handling Systems off. You should adjust your
driving accordingly.

2-104
COMPETITIVE DRIVING: When the Competitive
Driving mode is selected, this message will be displayed
in the DIC. The instrument panel cluster light will not be
on when the Competitive Driving mode is selected. The
Traction Control System will not be operating while in
the Competitive Driving mode. You should adjust your
driving accordingly.
SERVICE ABS (Anti
-Lock Brake System): If the
SERVICE ABS message is displayed when you are driving,
stop as soon as possible and turn the ignition off. Then start
the engine again to reset the system. If the message stays
on, or comes back on again while you are driving, your
vehicle is in need of service. If the regular brake system
warning light isn't on, you still have brakes, but don't have
anti
-lock brakes. If the regular brake system light is also on,
you don't have anti
-lock brakes and there is a problem with
your brakes. See ªBrake System Warning Lightº earlier in
this section.
If the SERVICE ABS message is being displayed, your
traction control system and the optional active handling
system will also be disabled. The driver information
center will scroll three messages: SERVICE ABS,
SERVICE TRACTION SYS and SERVICE ACTIVE
HNDLG, and the instrument cluster car icon will be
illuminated. The driver can acknowledge these messages
by pressing the reset button three times. When the service message is displayed the computer
controlled systems will not assist the driver and you
should have the system repaired as soon as possible.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
SERVICE COLUMN LOCK
(Manual Transmission Only): If the system that
controls the locking and unlocking of the steering
column does not work properly, have the vehicle towed
to a dealer for service.
PULL KEY
- WAIT 10 SEC: If this message comes on,
the steering column lock system has detected a problem
while engaging the steering column lock. This message may
occur when the ignition key is removed and reinserted
before the steering column lock system fully locks or
unlocks the steering column. To acknowledge that you have
read this message, and to clear it from the display, remove
the ignition key and wait 10 seconds before reinserting the
key into the ignition. If you attempt to operate your vehicle
without removing the key for 10 seconds, the vehicle's fuel
system will shut off when you reach 1.5 mph (2.4 km/h).
If the message stays on after removing the key and waiting
10 seconds, have your vehicle taken to an authorized dealer
as soon as possible for diagnosis and repair.

2-106
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON: If this message appears
on the DIC, there may be an electrical or another system
problem with your vehicle. Have your vehicle checked
by your dealer if this message keeps appearing.
CHARGE SYSTEM FAULT: Press RESET to
acknowledge that you have read the message and to
remove it from the display. The message will reappear
every 10 minutes until this condition changes. You will
hear two chimes when this message is displayed.
If this message comes on while you are driving, you may
have a problem with the electrical charging system. It
could indicate that you have a loose or broken drive belt or
another electrical problem. Have it checked right away.
Driving while this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the message on,
be certain to turn off your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
TRACTION SYS ACTIVE: When your Traction
Control System is limiting wheel spin, the TRACTION
SYS ACTIVE message will be displayed. Slippery road
conditions may exist if this message is displayed, so
adjust your driving accordingly. The message will stay
on for a few seconds after the traction control system
stops limiting wheel spin.TRACTION SYSTEM - ON: This message is
displayed when you decide to turn on the Traction
Control System by pressing the switch on the console.
This message will shut off automatically on its own.
TRACTION SYSTEM
- OFF: You will hear a single
quick tone when this message is displayed. This message
comes on and stays on when the Traction Control System
button on the console is pressed to turn the system off.
To acknowledge this message, press RESET.
SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM: If the SERVICE
TRACTION SYS message is displayed when you are
driving, there is a problem with your Traction Control
System and your vehicle is in need of service. When this
message is displayed, the system will not limit wheel
spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
If you have the optional Active Handling System, the
SERVICE ACTIVE HNDLG message will also be
displayed and the instrument cluster car icon will also be
illuminated. The driver can acknowledge both messages
by pressing the reset button two times which will also
turn off the instrument cluster icon. When the service
messages are displayed, the computer controlled
systems will not assist the driver in controlling the
vehicle. Have the system repaired as soon as possible.
Adjust your driving accordingly.

4-
4-1
Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Here you'll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We've also
included many other useful tips on driving.
4
-2 Defensive Driving
4
-3 Drunken Driving
4
-6 Control of a Vehicle
4
-6 Braking
4
-9 Traction Control System (TCS)
4
-11 Active Handling System
4
-12 Steering
4
-14 Off-Road Recovery
4
-15 Passing
4
-16 Loss of Control
4
-17 Driving at Night4
-19 Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
4
-22 City Driving
4
-23 Freeway Driving
4
-24 Before Leaving on a Long Trip
4
-25 Highway Hypnosis
4
-25 Hill and Mountain Roads
4
-27 Winter Driving
4
-31 Recreational Vehicle Towing
4
-32 Loading Your Vehicle
4
-33 Towing A Trailer

4-6
Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your vehicle go where
you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and
the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work
at the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you're driving on snow or ice, it's
easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires
and road can provide. That means you can lose control
of your vehicle. Also see ªTraction Control System
(TCS)º and ªActive Handling Systemº in the Index.
Braking
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal.
That's perception time. Then you have to bring up your
foot and do it. That's reaction time.
Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second. But
that's only an average. It might be less with one driver
and as long as two or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination
and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and
frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second, a vehicle
moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m).
That could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and others
is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road (whether it's pavement or
gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire
tread; the condition of your brakes; the weight of the
vehicle and the amount of brake force applied.