traction control CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2007 6.G User Guide

TOO COLD TO MOVE TOP
This message displays and a chime sounds when
the power convertible top button is pressed and
the power convertible top pump motor temperature
is below -4°F (-20°C). Wait for the power
convertible top pump motor to warm up before
using the power convertible top.
TOP MOTOR OVER TEMPERATURE
This message displays and a chime sounds when
the power convertible top button is pressed and
the power convertible top pump motor temperature
is over 221°F (105°C). Wait for the power
convertible top pump motor to cool down before
using the power convertible top.
TOP NOT SECURE
This message displays and a chime sounds when
the power convertible top button is released
before the top open or close operation is complete
or if the top is closed without the header latch
engaged. Press and hold the convertible top button
to fully open or close the top, and make sure
that the header latch is engaged after the top is
closed.
TRACTION SYSTEM ACTIVE
This message displays when the Traction Control
System (TCS) is limiting wheel spin. Slippery
road conditions may exist if this message
is displayed, so adjust your driving accordingly.
The message stays on for a few seconds after the
TCS stops limiting wheel spin. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 281for more
information.
TRACTION SYSTEM AND ACTIVE
HANDLING – OFF
This message displays, the instrument panel
cluster light turns on, and a chime sounds when
the Traction Control System (TCS) and Active
Handling System are turned off by pressing
the Active Handling System button on the console
for ve seconds. The Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) remains on with the TCS and Active
Handling System off. Adjust your driving
accordingly. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 281andActive Handling System on
page 283for more information.
To acknowledge this message, press the RESET
button.
230

TRACTION SYSTEM AND ACTIVE
HANDLING – ON
If the Traction Control System (TCS) and Active
Handling System are off, this message displays
briey, the instrument panel cluster light turns off,
and a chime sounds when the TCS and Active
Handling System are turned on by briey pressing
the Active Handling System button on the
console. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 281andActive Handling System on
page 283for more information.
TRACTION SYSTEM – OFF
This message displays and stays on, a single,
quick tone sounds, and the traction control system
(TCS) warning light on the instrument panel
cluster turns on when the TCS is turned off by
pressing the Active Handling System button on the
console. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light on page 197. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 281for more information.
To acknowledge the message, press the
RESET button.
TRACTION SYSTEM – ON
This message displays and a single, quick tone
sounds when the Traction Control System (TCS) is
turned on by pressing the Active Handling System
button on the console. This message automatically
clears from the DIC display on its own. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 281for more
information.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE ENGINE
This message displays and four chimes sound
if the transmission uid temperature rises above
270°F (132°C) or rises rapidly. The transmission
may shift gears or apply the torque converter
clutch to reduce the uid temperature. Driving
aggressively or driving on long hills can cause the
transmission uid temperature to be higher than
normal. If this message appears, you may continue
to drive at a slower speed. Monitor the transmission
uid temperature and allow it to cool to at least
230°F (110°C). The transmission uid temperature
can be monitored with the gages button on the DIC.
SeeDIC Controls and Displays on page 208and
Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 345. Also
check the engine coolant temperature. If it is also
hot, seeEngine Overheating on page 350.
231

Audio System(s)
Determine which radio your vehicle has and then
read the pages following to familiarize yourself
with its features.
Driving without distraction is a necessity for a
safer driving experience. SeeDefensive Driving on
page 274. By taking a few moments to read this
manual and get familiar with your vehicle’s
audio system, you can use it with less effort, as
well as take advantage of its features. While your
vehicle is parked, set up your audio system by
presetting your favorite radio stations, setting the
tone and adjusting the speakers. Then, when
driving conditions permit, you can tune to
your favorite stations using the presets and
steering wheel controls if the vehicle has them.{CAUTION:
This system provides you with a far greater
access to audio stations and song listings.
Giving extended attention to entertainment
tasks while driving can cause a crash and
you or others can be injured or killed.
Always keep your eyes on the road and
your mind on the drive — avoid engaging
in extended searching while driving.
Keeping your mind on the drive is important for
safe driving. Here are some ways in which you can
help avoid distraction while driving.
244

Navigation/Radio System
Your vehicle may have a navigation radio system.
The navigation system has built-in features
intended to minimize driver distraction. Technology
alone, no matter how advanced, can never
replace your own judgment. See the Navigation
System manual for some tips to help you
reduce distractions while driving.
Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK®is designed to discourage theft
of your vehicle’s radio. The feature works
automatically by learning a portion of the
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN). If the radio
is moved to a different vehicle, it will not operate
and LOCKED will appear on the display.
With THEFTLOCK
®activated, the radio will not
operate if stolen.
Your radio has a blinking indicator light located
on the upper left side of the radio. The indicator
light is used to show that the theft-deterrent feature
mode is set. The blinking indicator light will only
ash when the ignition is in the off position.
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
If your vehicle has this
feature, some audio
controls can be adjusted
at the steering wheel.
They include the
following:
xw:Press the downxor upwarrow to go to
the previous or to the next radio station and stay
there. The radio only seeks stations with a strong
signal that are in the selected band.
To scan stations, press and hold either the down
x
or upwarrow for two seconds until SCAN displays
and a beep sounds. The radio goes to a station,
plays for a few seconds, then goes to the next
station. Press either the down
xor upwarrow
again to stop scanning.
269

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle.... 274
Defensive Driving...................................... 274
Drunken Driving........................................ 275
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 278
Braking...................................................... 278
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 279
Braking in Emergencies............................. 281
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 281
Active Handling System............................. 283
Limited-Slip Rear Axle............................... 285
Selective Ride Control............................... 286
Steering.................................................... 286
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 289
Passing..................................................... 289
Loss of Control.......................................... 291
Racing or Other Competitive Driving.......... 292Driving at Night......................................... 293
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 295
City Driving............................................... 297
Freeway Driving........................................ 298
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 300
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 301
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 302
Winter Driving........................................... 304
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow................................. 308
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 309
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 309
Towing........................................................ 315
Towing Your Vehicle................................. 315
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 315
Towing a Trailer........................................ 315
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
273

Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control your
vehicle while driving — brakes, steering, and
accelerator. At times, as when driving on snow
or ice, it is easy to ask more of those control
systems than the tires and road can provide.
Meaning, you can lose control of your vehicle.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 281
andActive Handling System on page 283.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories
can affect your vehicle’s performance. See
Accessories and Modications on page 319.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 196.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time. First, you have to decide to push
on the brake pedal. That is perception time.
Then you have to bring up your foot and do it.
That is reaction time.Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is 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 three-fourths 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 is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. The brakes might not have time
to cool between hard stops. The brakes will wear
out much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking.
278

Remember: ABS does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal
or always decrease stopping distance. If you get
too close to the vehicle in front of you, you will
not have time to apply the brakes if that vehicle
suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down rmly and let anti-lock work for you.
You might hear a motor or clicking noise and
feel the brake pedal move a little during a stop,
but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle has a traction control system called
TCS that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful
in slippery road conditions. The system operates
only if it senses that the rear wheels are spinning
too much or are beginning to lose traction.
When this happens, the system works the rear
brakes and reduces engine power (by closing the
throttle and managing engine spark) to limit
wheel spin.
The TRACTION SYSTEM ACTIVE message
displays on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
when the TCS system is limiting wheel spin.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 214.
You may feel or hear the system working,
but this is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the
TCS system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When
road conditions allow you to safely use it again,
you may re-engage the cruise control. See
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 160.
281

The SERVICE
TRACTION SYSTEM
message and the
TCS warning light will
come on to let you know
if there is a problem
with your TCS system.
SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages
on page 214.
When this light and the SERVICE TRACTION
SYSTEM message are on, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The TCS system automatically comes on
whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel
spin, especially in slippery road conditions,
you should always leave the system on. But you
can turn the TCS system off if you ever need to.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.
Notice:When traction control is turned off,
or Competitive Driving Mode is active, it is
possible to lose traction. If you attempt to shift
with the rear wheels spinning with a loss of
traction, it is possible to cause damage to the
transmission. Do not attempt to shift when
the rear wheels do not have traction. Damage
caused by misuse of the vehicle is not covered.
See your warranty book for additional
information.
282

The Active Handling System comes on
automatically whenever you start your vehicle.
To help maintain directional control of the vehicle,
you should always leave the system on. You
can turn the system off if you ever need to.
If you turn the Active Handling System off, the
Traction Control System will also be turned off.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
To turn the system off,
press the ACTIVE
HANDLING button
on the console for
ve seconds. You can
turn the system on at
any time by pressing the
button. The DIC will
display the appropriate
message when you
push the button.If the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system detects a
at tire and the Driver Information Center (DIC)
displays TIRE FLAT, or if the TPM system is
malfunctioning and the DIC displays SERVICE
TIRE MONITOR, the Active Handling System will
be affected as follows:
The Active Handling System cannot be turned
off by the driver.
If the Active Handling System is off, it will be
turned on automatically.
Competitive Driving Mode is unavailable.
The Active Handling System will feel different in
aiding and maintaining directional control.
284

Competitive Driving Mode
The driver can select this optional handling mode
by pressing the ACTIVE HANDLING button on
the console two times within a ve second
time period. COMPETITIVE DRIVING MODE will
be displayed in the DIC. Competitive Driving
Mode allows the driver to have full control of the
rear wheels while the Active Handling System
helps maintain directional control of the vehicle by
selective brake application. This involves less
intervention than with both the Active Handling
System and Traction Control Systems on.
The instrument cluster light will not be on. The
Traction Control System will not be operating.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
When you press the ACTIVE HANDLING button
again, or turn the ignition to Acc., the Active
Handling and Traction Control Systems will
be on. The TRACTION SYSTEM AND ACTIVE
HANDLING-ON message will be displayed
temporarily in the DIC and a chime will be heard.Notice:When traction control is turned off,
or Competitive Driving Mode is active, it
is possible to lose traction. If you attempt to
shift with the rear wheels spinning with a loss
of traction, it is possible to cause damage
to the transmission. Do not attempt to shift
when the rear wheels do not have traction.
Damage caused by misuse of the vehicle
is not covered. See your warranty book for
additional information.
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.
285