active handling CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2003 5.G Owners Manual

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-2
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-4
Other Warning Devices...................................3-4
Horn.............................................................3-5
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-5
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-6
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-12
Interior Lamps..............................................3-15
Head-Up Display (HUD).................................3-17
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-20
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-21
Climate Controls............................................3-22
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-22
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-28
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators.............3-29
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-30
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-31
Tachometer.................................................3-31
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-31
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-32
Air Bag Off Light..........................................3-33
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-34
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-35
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-36
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light . . .3-36Active Handling System Light.........................3-37
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-38
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-38
Engine Oil Pressure Gage.............................3-41
Security Light...............................................3-42
Check Gages Warning Light...........................3-42
Fuel Gage...................................................3-42
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-44
DIC Controls and Displays.............................3-45
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-53
Other Messages...........................................3-61
Audio System(s).............................................3-62
Setting the Time...........................................3-62
Radio with Cassette......................................3-63
Radio with CD..............................................3-67
Trunk-Mounted CD Changer...........................3-71
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-75
Understanding Radio Reception......................3-77
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player.................3-78
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-79
Care of Your CD Player................................3-79
Fixed Mast Antenna (Z06)..............................3-79
Power Antenna Mast Care (Convertible)...........3-79
Integrated Windshield and Rear Window
Antennas (Coupe).....................................3-80
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of your instrument panel are the
following:
A. Instrument Panel Brightness Control
B. Head-Up Display Controls
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 Outlets
J. Audio System
K. Climate Controls
L. Fog Lamp Button
M. Remote Hatch Release Button (Coupe) or Remote
Trunk Release Button (Convertible/Z06)N. Ignition Switch
O. Shift Lever (Automatic Shown)
P. Active Handling Button
Q. Accessory Power Outlet (Located in the Center
Console)
R. Selective Ride Control Switch
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)
3-3

Active Handling System Light
The Active Handling System light will come on brie¯y as
you start the engine. If the light does not come on
then, have it ®xed 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 the light stays on or
comes on while you are
driving, a chime sounds
and a SERVICE ACTIVE
HNDLG message appears
on the DIC, 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
DIC Warnings and Messages on
page 3-53for 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
DIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-53for more
information.
3-37

ACT HNDLG ± WARMING UP:When you ®rst 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 km/h) 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, pressing 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 brie¯y, 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
Brake System Warning Light on
page 3-35.
3-54

If the SERVICE ABS message is being displayed, your
Traction Control System and the 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 (Manual Transmission
Only):If this message comes on, the steering column
lock system has detected a problem while disengaging
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 afterremoving the key and waiting 10 seconds, have your
vehicle taken to an authorized dealer as soon as
possible for diagnosis and repair.
LOW OIL PRESSURE:You will hear four chimes and
the CHECK GAGES telltale will come on when this
message is displayed. To acknowledge the warning,
press the RESET button. After you press the RESET
button, a message will be displayed and you will hear a
chime every minute until the vehicle is serviced. If
you do not press RESET, the message will remain on
the digital display until the vehicle is serviced.
Low oil pressure may be the result of a combination of
low oil level and abrupt changes in the vehicle's
direction. When this warning is displayed, you should
not operate the engine at high rpm or make fast abrupt
moves. As soon as possible, you should check the
oil level. See
Engine Oil on page 5-13.
LOW OIL LEVEL: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. Once the
vehicle senses a temperature change in the engine oil,
the light will remain off.
You will hear two chimes when this message is
displayed. If this message appears after starting your
engine, your engine oil level may be too low. You
may need to add oil. See
Engine Overheating on
page 5-26.
3-55

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.
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.
SERVICE RIDE CONTROL:This message is used to
indicate to the driver that the Selective Ride Control
system has detected a malfunction and that the system
must be serviced. The SERVICE RIDE CONTROL
message will always come on when a failure is detected
by the Selective Ride Control system. If a fault is
present in the Selective Ride Control system whichcauses the shocks to be in their full soft condition, the
SERVICE RIDE CONTROL, SHOCKS INOPERATIVE
and MAXIMUM SPEED 80 MPH (129 km/h) will
display together. You will never get a SHOCKS
INOPERATIVE and MAXIMUM SPEED 80 MPH
(129 km/h) message without a SERVICE RIDE
CONTROL message.
SHOCKS INOPERATIVE:You will hear four chimes
when this message is displayed. To acknowledge
that you have read the message and to remove it from
the display, press RESET. The message will reappear
every 10 minutes until this condition changes.
This message indicates that a malfunction is present in
the Selective Ride Control system which is causing
the shocks to be in their full soft mode. This is a warning
to the driver that the vehicle handling may be affected.
Have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
MAXIMUM SPEED 80 MPH (129 km/h):You will hear
four chimes when this message is displayed. To
acknowledge the warning, press RESET. After you
press RESET, a message will reappear every
10 minutes until this condition changes.
This message indicates that a malfunction is present in
the selective real time damping system. The vehicle
speed will be limited to 80 mph (129 km/h) when
the shock absorber system has failed and the shocks
are in their full soft mode. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible.
3-57

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
Braking on page 4-6.
LOW TIRE PRESSURE (Except Z06):You will hear
two chimes when this message is displayed. To
acknowledge the warning, press RESET. After you
press RESET, a message will appear every 10 minutes
until this condition changes. This message indicates
that the pressure in one of your tires is less than 25 psi
(172 kPa). Next to the LOW TIRE PRESSURE
message, you can see either LF (left front), LR (left
rear), RF (right front) or RR (right rear) to indicate to you
which tire is low on pressure. You can receive more
than one tire pressure message at a time. To read other
messages that may have been sent at the same time,
press RESET. If a tire pressure message appears on the
DIC, stop as soon as you can. Have the tire pressures
checked and set to those shown on your Tire LoadingInformation Label. See
Extended Mobility Tires (Except
Z06) on page 5-54andTire Pressure Monitor System
(Except Z06) on page 5-57.
{CAUTION:
When the LOW TIRE PRESSURE or FLAT TIRE
message is displayed on the Driver Information
Center, your vehicle's handling capabilities will
be reduced during severe maneuvers. If you
drive too fast, you could lose control of your
vehicle. You or others could be injured. Don't
drive over 55 mph (90 km/h) when the LOW
TIRE PRESSURE or FLAT TIRE message is
displayed. Drive cautiously and check your tire
pressures as soon as you can.
FLAT TIRE (Except Z06):You will hear two chimes
when this message is displayed followed by the
message MAX SPEED 55 MPH (90 km/h). If this
message appears, do not drive your vehicle above this
limit. The next message to appear is REDUCED
HANDLING. Adjust your driving accordingly. To
acknowledge these warnings, press RESET. After you
press RESET, a message will reappear every
10 minutes until this condition changes.
3-59

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunken Driving.............................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-6
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-9
Active Handling System.................................4-10
Limited-Slip Rear Axle...................................4-11
Selective Ride Control...................................4-12
Steering......................................................4-13
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-15
Passing.......................................................4-15
Loss of Control.............................................4-17
Driving at Night............................................4-18Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-19
City Driving..................................................4-22
Freeway Driving...........................................4-23
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-24
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-25
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-25
Winter Driving..............................................4-27
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow..............................................4-32
Towing..........................................................4-33
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-33
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-33
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-33
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-35
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

{CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your re¯exes, perceptions, attentiveness
and judgment can be affected by even a
small amount of alcohol. You can have a
serious Ð or even fatal Ð collision if you drive
after drinking. Please don't drink and drive or
ride with a driver who has been drinking. Ride
home in a cab; or if you're with a group,
designate a driver who will not drink.
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
Traction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-9andActive Handling System on
page 4-10.
4-5

To turn the system off,
press the button located
on the console. You
can turn the system on or
off at any time by
pressing the ACTIVE
HANDLING button. The
DIC will display the
appropriate message when
you push the button.
Active Handling System
The Active Handling System is a computer controlled
system that helps the driver maintain directional control
of the vehicle in difficult driving conditions. This is
accomplished by selectively applying any one of the
vehicle's brakes.
When you ®rst start your vehicle and begin to drive away
(6 mph (10 km/h)), the message ACT HNDLG WARMING
UP may be displayed in the DIC, the instrument 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 message, WARM UP COMPLETE, is
displayed in the DIC.The ACT HNDLG WARMING UP message may be
displayed in the DIC after exceeding 12 mph (20 km/h)
for 30 seconds. The Active Handling System is off
until the WARM UP COMPLETE message is displayed.
The ACTIVE HANDLING message will come on
when the system is operating. See
DIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-53for more information. You
may also feel or hear the system working. This
is normal.
The SERVICE ACTIVE
HNDLG message will be
displayed, the instrument
cluster light will come
on, and a chime will sound
to let you know if there
is a problem with the
system. See
DIC Warnings
and Messages on
page 3-53
for more
information.
When this light and the SERVICE ACTIVE HNDLG
message are on, the system is not operational. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
4-10