brake CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2002 5.G Owner's Manual

2-70
Lowering the Convertible Top
NOTICE:
Don't leave the convertible out with the top down
for any long periods of time. The sun and rain
can damage the seat material and other things
inside the vehicle.
1. Set the parking brake firmly. Shift an automatic
transmission into PARK (P). Shift a manual
transmission into REVERSE (R).
2. Turn the ignition key to OFF. Lower both sun visors
and turn them toward the door glass.
NOTICE:
Before lowering the convertible top into the
storage area, be sure there are no objects in the
way of the folded, stored top. The weight of a
stored top on items in the storage area may
cause the convertible top back glass to break.
3. Unlock the front of the convertible top by lowering
the latch handles and turning them inward. Push the
latch handles back to the up position.

2-74
Raising the Convertible Top
1. Park on a level surface, set the parking brake firmly
and shift an automatic transmission into PARK (P).
Shift a manual transmission into REVERSE (R).
Lower both windows and sun visors and turn the
ignition key to OFF.
2. Tilt the driver's seat forward and press the storage
compartment release button, or use the manual
release cable if battery power has been lost. Lift the
storage compartment lid (C). (After pressing the release button, the driver and
passenger door glass should retract to the full
-down
position, if they have not already been lowered.)
3. Pull the top up by firmly gripping the front edge (A)
of the convertible top with your hand and applying a
brisk, firm upward and forward motion to get the top
in the full
-up position.

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/Z06)
N. Ignition SwitchO. Shift Lever (Automatic Shown)
P. Traction Control System (TCS)
Button/Active Handling Button
Q. Accessory Power Outlet
(Located in the Center Console)
R. Selective Real Time Damping (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)

2-84
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle's hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn't working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though,
you need both parts working well.
This light should come on
when you turn the ignition
key to START. If it doesn't
come on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn
you if there's a problem.
If this warning light stays on after you start the engine,
the parking brake may still be set or there could be a
brake problem. Refer to ªParking Brakeº in the Index
to see if it is set. If the parking brake is not set,
have your brake system inspected right away.If the light comes on while you are driving and you have
a LOW BRAKE FLUID message showing on the DIC,
pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that
the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer
to the floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is
still on, have the vehicle towed for service. See ªTowing
Your Vehicleº in the Index.
CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake warning light is on. Driving with the
brake warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you've pulled off the
road and stopped carefully, have the vehicle
towed for service.

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.

2-104
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 the
RESET 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.

2-105
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.
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.

2-110
HIGH TRANS TEMP (Automatic Transmission
Only): You will hear four chimes when this message
is displayed. To acknowledge this warning, press the
RESET button. After you press the RESET button,
the message will be displayed every 10 minutes until
the condition changes. If you do not press RESET,
the message remains on the display until the
condition changes.
If the transmission fluid temperature rises above 270
F
(132
C) or rises rapidly, this message is displayed.
The transmission may shift gears or apply the torque
converter clutch to reduce the fluid temperature.
Driving aggressively or driving on long hills can cause
the transmission fluid temperature to be higher than
normal. If this message appears, you may continue to
drive at a slower speed. You should also monitor the
transmission fluid temperature and allow it to cool to at
least 230
F (110
C). The transmission fluid temperature
can be monitored with the GAGES button on the DIC.
See ªAutomatic Transmission Fluidº in the Index.
You should also check the engine coolant temperature.
If it is also hot, see ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.If the HIGH TRANS TEMP message is displayed during
normal vehicle operation on flat roads, your vehicle may
need service. See your dealer for an inspection.
SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING: If the SERVICE
ACTIVE HNDLG message is displayed, there is a
problem with your Active Handling System and your
vehicle needs service. The instrument cluster light will
also be on and a chime will sound. When this message
is displayed, the system is not working. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
ACTIVE HANDLING: Your vehicle is equipped with
a computer controlled system to assist the driver in
controlling the vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
You may feel or hear the system working and see the
ACTIVE HANDLING message displayed in the DIC.
This is normal when the system is operating. Also see
ªAnti
-Lock Brakesº in the Index.

2-114
Other Messages
Here are more messages that you can receive on your
Driver Information Center (DIC). To acknowledge a
message and read another message that may have
come on at the same time, press the RESET button.

BRAKE BEFORE SHIFT
(Automatic Transmissions Only)

CHANGE OIL NOW
(See ªGM Oil Life Systemº in the Index.)

CHANGE OIL SOON
(See ªGM Oil Life Systemº in the Index.)

CRUISE DISENGAGED
(See ªCruise Controlº in the Index.)

CRUISE SET __ MPH (__ km/h)
(See ªCruise Controlº in the Index.)

DOOR AJAR
ENGINE PROTECTION REDUCE ENGINE RPM

HATCH AJAR (Coupe)

HIGH VOLTAGE (See ªVoltmeterº in the Index.)

LOW BRAKE FLUID
(See ªBrake Fluidº in the Index.)

LOW FUEL (See ªFuel Gageº in the Index.)

LOW VOLTAGE (See ªVoltmeterº in the Index.)

LOW WASHER FLUID
(See ªWindshield Washer Fluidº in the Index.)

RESERVE FUEL (See ªFuel Gageº in the Index.)

TONNEAU AJAR (Convertible)

TRUNK AJAR (Convertible/Z06)

UPSHIFT NOW
(See ªManual Transmissionº in the Index.)

4-2
Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is:
Drive defensively.
Please start with a very important safety device in your
vehicle: Buckle up. See ªSafety Beltsº in the Index.Defensive driving really means ªbe ready for anything.º
On city streets, rural roads or freeways, it means
ªalways expect the unexpected.º
Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to
be careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they
might do. Be ready for their mistakes.
Rear
-end collisions are about the most preventable
of accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough
following distance. It's the best defensive driving
maneuver, in both city and rural driving. You never
know when the vehicle in front of you is going to
brake or turn suddenly.
Defensive driving requires that a driver concentrate
on the driving task. Anything that distracts from the
driving task
-- such as concentrating on a cellular
telephone call, reading, or reaching for something on
the floor
-- makes proper defensive driving more
difficult and can even cause a collision, with resulting
injury. Ask a passenger to help do things like this, or
pull off the road in a safe place to do them yourself.
These simple defensive driving techniques could save
your life.