CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2007 6.G Owners Manual

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.
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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.
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Adding non-dealer accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 319for more information.
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 during cold winter
weather and begin to drive away, the message
ACTIVE HANDLING WARMING UP may be
displayed in the DIC. This is normal. You can
acknowledge this message by pressing the RESET
button. The Active Handling System performance
is affected until the message, ACTIVE HANDLING
READY, is displayed in the DIC.
The ACTIVE HANDLING CALIBRATING message
may be displayed in the DIC and the instrument
panel cluster light will be on after exceeding
18 mph (30 km/h) for 10 seconds. The Active
Handling System is off until the ACTIVE
HANDLING READY message is displayed.
This could take up to 15 minutes.The ACTIVE HANDLING message will come on
when the system is operating. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 214for more information.
You may also feel or hear the system working.
This is normal.
The SERVICE ACTIVE
HANDLING 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.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 214for
more information.
When this light and the SERVICE ACTIVE
HANDLING SYSTEM message are on, the system
is not operational. Adjust your driving accordingly.
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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.
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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.
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Selective Ride Control
You may have a ride control system on your
vehicle called Magnetic Selective Ride Control.
The system provides the following performance
benets:
Reduced Impact Harshness
Improved Road Isolation
Improved High-Speed Stability
Improved Handling Response
Better Control of Body Ride Motions
This knob is located
on the center console.
Turn it to select the
suspension of your
choice.
TOUR:Use for normal city and highway driving.
This setting provides a smooth, soft ride.SPORT:Use where road conditions or personal
preference demand more control. This setting
provides more “feel”, or response to the road
conditions.
You can select a setting at any time. Based on road
conditions, steering wheel angle and your vehicle
speed, the system automatically adjusts to provide
the best ride and handling. Select a new setting
whenever driving conditions change.
There are three Driver Information Center (DIC)
messages that are displayed when a
malfunction occurs with the Selective Ride
Control system (SERVICE RIDE CONTROL,
SHOCKS INOPERATIVE, MAXIMUM SPEED
80 MPH (129 KM/H). Refer toDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 214for more information.
Steering
Power Steering
If you lose power steering assist because the
engine stops or the system is not functioning,
you can steer but it will take much more effort.
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Magnetic Speed Variable
Assist Steering
Your vehicle has a steering system that
continuously adjusts the effort you feel when
steering at all vehicle speeds. It provides ease
when parking, yet a rm, solid feel at highway
speeds.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned
on the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires against the road
surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change
its path when you turn the front wheels. If there is
no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the
same direction. If you have ever tried to steer a
vehicle on wet ice, you will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on
the condition of the tires and the road surface, the
angle at which the curve is banked, and your
speed. While you are in a curve, speed is the
one factor you can control.Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly accelerate. Both control
systems — steering and acceleration — have to
do their work where the tires meet the road.
Adding the sudden acceleration can demand too
much of those places. You can lose control.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 281.
What should you do if this ever happens? Ease
up on the accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the
way you want it to go, and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn that you
should adjust your speed. Of course, the posted
speeds are based on good weather and road
conditions. Under less favorable conditions you will
want to go slower.
If you need to reduce your speed as you approach
a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while
the front wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive”
through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady
speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of
the curve, and then accelerate gently into
the straightaway.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can
affect your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories
and Modications on page 319.
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Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more
effective than braking. For example, you come
over a hill and nd a truck stopped in your lane,
or a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or
a child darts out from between parked cars
and stops right in front of you. You can avoid
these problems by braking — if you can stop in
time. But sometimes you cannot; there is not room.
That is the time for evasive action — steering
around the problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well in emergencies
like these. First apply the brakes. SeeBraking
on page 278. It is better to remove as much speed
as you can from a possible collision. Then steer
around the problem, to the left or right depending
on the space available.An emergency like this requires close attention and
a quick decision. If you are holding the steering
wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock
positions, you can turn it a full 180 degrees very
quickly without removing either hand. But you
have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly
straighten the wheel once you have avoided
the object.
The fact that such emergency situations are always
possible is a good reason to practice defensive
driving at all times and wear safety belts properly.
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Off-Road Recovery
You may nd that your vehicle’s right wheels have
dropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder
while you are driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below
the pavement, recovery should be fairly easy.
Ease off the accelerator and then, if there
is nothing in the way, steer so that your vehicle
straddles the edge of the pavement.You can turn the steering wheel up to one-quarter
turn until the right front tire contacts the pavement
edge. Then turn the steering wheel to go
straight down the roadway.
Passing
The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a
two-lane highway waits for just the right moment,
accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then
goes back into the right lane again. A simple
maneuver?
Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a
two-lane highway is a potentially dangerous move,
since the passing vehicle occupies the same lane
as oncoming traffic for several seconds. A
miscalculation, an error in judgment, or a brief
surrender to frustration or anger can suddenly put
the passing driver face to face with the worst of all
traffic accidents — the head-on collision.
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So here are some tips for passing:
Drive ahead. Look down the road, to the
sides, and to crossroads for situations
that might affect your passing patterns. If you
have any doubt whatsoever about making
a successful pass, wait for a better time.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings,
and lines. If you can see a sign up ahead
that might indicate a turn or an intersection,
delay your pass. A broken center line
usually indicates it is all right to pass, providing
the road ahead is clear. Never cross a solid
line on your side of the lane or a double
solid line, even if the road seems empty of
approaching traffic.
Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to
pass while you are awaiting an opportunity. For
one thing, following too closely reduces your
area of vision, especially if you are following a
larger vehicle. Also, you will not have adequate
space if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or
stops. Keep back a reasonable distance.
When it looks like a chance to pass is coming
up, start to accelerate but stay in the right lane
and do not get too close. Time your move soyou will be increasing speed as the time comes
to move into the other lane. If the way is clear to
pass, you will have a running start that more
than makes up for the distance you would lose
by dropping back. And if something happens to
cause you to cancel your pass, you need only
slow down and drop back again and wait for
another opportunity.
If other vehicles are lined up to pass a slow
vehicle, wait your turn. But take care that
someone is not trying to pass you as you pull
out to pass the slow vehicle. Remember to
glance over your shoulder and check the
blind spot.
Check your vehicle’s mirrors, glance over your
shoulder, and start your left lane change signal
before moving out of the right lane to pass.
When you are far enough ahead of the passed
vehicle to see its front in your vehicle’s inside
mirror, activate the right lane change signal and
move back into the right lane. Remember that
an outside convex mirror makes the vehicle
you just passed seem farther away from you
than it really is.
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