automatic transmission CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2010 6.G User Guide

Ignition Positions
The vehicle has an
electronic keyless ignition
with a pushbutton start.
In order to shift out of P (Park), the vehicle must be
running or in Acc. mode and the regular brake pedal
must be applied.
/(START): Press this button while your foot is on the
brake for an automatic transmission, or while pressing
in the clutch for a manual transmission, to start the
engine. If the vehicle is in OFF or Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) mode, the keyless access transmitter
must be inside the vehicle to start the engine.
9Acc. (OFF/ACCESSORY): When the engine is
on or the vehicle is in accessory power mode, it is
recommended that a manual transmission be placed
in R (Reverse). An automatic transmission must be
placed in P (Park). Then press the Acc. button to
turn the engine off and place the vehicle in RAP.
See “Retained Accessory Power (RAP)” later for more
information. If an automatic vehicle is not correctly
placed in P (Park) a SHIFT TO PARK message will
display on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
For more information, see DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑52.
When the engine is off, press this button to place the
vehicle in accessory mode. ACCESSORY MODE ON
will display on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
This mode allows you to use things like the radio
and the windshield wipers while the engine is off.
Use accessory mode if you must have the vehicle
in motion while the engine is off, for example, if the
vehicle is being pushed or towed.
After being in accessory mode for about 10 minutes, the
vehicle will automatically enter RAP or OFF, depending
on if the doors are opened or closed.
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Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories can be used for up to
10 minutes after the engine is turned off:
.Audio System
.Power Windows
These features continue to work up to 10 minutes after
the engine is turned off or until either door is opened.
If a door is opened, the power windows and audio
system will shut off.
Starting the Engine
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral) for an
automatic transmission. For a manual transmission the
vehicle can be started in Neutral or any other gear as
long as the clutch pedal is pressed. To restart a vehicle
with a manual transmission when you are already
moving, use the Neutral position only. To restart a
vehicle with an automatic transmission when you
are already moving, use N (Neutral).
Notice: Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the vehicle
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
The keyless access transmitter must be inside the
vehicle for the ignition to work. Cell phone chargers can interfere with the operation of
the Keyless Access System. Battery chargers should
not be plugged in when starting or turning off the
engine.
To start the vehicle, do the following:
1. For vehicles with an automatic transmission, with your foot on the brake pedal, press the
START button located on the instrument panel.
For vehicles with a manual transmission, you must
also press in the clutch pedal while pressing the
START button.
If there is not a keyless access transmitter in
the vehicle or if there is something causing
interference with it, the DIC will display NO FOBS
DETECTED. See DIC Warnings and Messages
on
page 4‑52for more information.
2. When the engine begins cranking, let go of the button and the engine cranks automatically until
it starts. If the battery in the keyless access
transmitter is weak, the DIC displays FOB
BATTERY LOW. You can still drive the vehicle.
See “Battery Replacement” underKeyless Access
System Operation
on page 3‑5for more
information. If the fob battery is dead, you need to
insert the fob into the fob slot to enable engine
starting. See “No Fobs Detected” underDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 4‑52.
3-24

3. Do not race the engine immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and transmission gently until
the oil warms up and lubricates all moving parts.
4. If the engine does not start and no DIC message is displayed, wait 15 seconds before trying again to
let the cranking motor cool down.
If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below −18°C
or 0°F), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing the accelerator pedal all the way
to the floor while cranking for up to 15 seconds
maximum. Wait at least 15 seconds between
each try, to allow the cranking motor to cool down.
When the engine starts, let go of the accelerator.
If the vehicle starts briefly but then stops again,
repeat these steps. This clears the extra gasoline
from the engine.
Notice: Cranking the engine for long periods of
time, by pressing the START button immediately
after cranking has ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the battery. Wait at
least 15 seconds between each try, to allow the
cranking motor to cool down. The vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in starting the engine and
protects components. Once cranking has been initiated,
the engine continues cranking for a few seconds or
until the vehicle starts. If the engine does not start,
cranking automatically stops after 15 seconds to
prevent cranking motor damage. To prevent gear
damage, this system also prevents cranking if the
engine is already running.
Notice:
The engine is designed to work with the
electronics in the vehicle. If electrical parts or
accessories are added, you could change the
way the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer/retailer. If you
do not, the engine might not perform properly. Any
resulting damage would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
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Stopping the Engine
If the vehicle has an automatic transmission, move
the shift lever to P (Park) and press and hold the
Acc. (Off/Accessory) button, located on the instrument
panel, until the engine shuts off. If the shift lever is not
in P (Park), the engine shuts off and the vehicle goes
into the Accessory Mode. The DIC displays SHIFT
TO PARK. Once the shifter is moved to P (Park),
the vehicle turns off. If the vehicle has a manual
transmission, it is recommended that you move the
shift lever to R (Reverse) and set the parking brake
after you turn off the engine by pressing and holding
the Acc. (Off/Accessory) button.
If the keyless access transmitter is not detected inside
the vehicle when it is turned to off, the DIC displays
NO FOB –OFF OR RUN?.
See DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑52for
more information.
Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several
different positions for the
shift lever.
P (Park) : This position locks the rear wheels. It is the
best position to use when starting the engine because
the vehicle cannot move easily.
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{WARNING:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift
lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly
level ground, always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park). See Shifting Into
Park (Automatic Transmission) on page 3‑35.
Be sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before starting
the engine. The vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply the brakes and
then press the shift lever button before you can shift
from P (Park) when the vehicle is running. If you cannot
shift out of P (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever
and push the shift lever all the way into P (Park) as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and move the shift lever into another gear.
See
Shifting Out of Park on page 3‑36.
R (Reverse) : Use this gear to back up.
Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice, or sand without damaging the transmission, see
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on
page 5‑27.
3-27

N (Neutral) :In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart the engine when
the vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only.
If the vehicle needs towing, see Towing Your Vehicle
on
page 5‑33.
{WARNING:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear
while the engine is running at high speed.
Notice: Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage the
transmission. The repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speed when shifting the vehicle. D (Drive) :
This position is for normal driving. It provides
the best fuel economy. If you need more power for
passing, push the pedal down to achieve the desired
level of acceleration.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding”
under Loss of Control on page 5‑18.
S (Sport Mode) : When in S (Sport Mode), the
transmission will work as an automatic until you use
the Manual Paddle Shift Controls, which activates driver
manual gear selection. See Manual Paddle Shift later in
this section. While in S (Sport Mode), the transmission
will have more noticeable upshifts for sportier vehicle
performance.
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Manual Paddle Shift
While in S (Sport Mode), the paddles located on the
steering wheel can be used to manually up-shift or
down-shift the transmission.
The Manual Paddle Shift system is activated from
S (Sport Mode) by pushing the paddle, above the
steering wheel spokes, to up-shift to the next gear,
or pulling on the paddle, behind the steering wheel
spokes, to down-shift to the next gear. When accelerating the vehicle from a stop in snowy
and icy conditions, you may want to shift to 2 (Second)
or 3 (Third) gear. A higher gear allows you to gain more
traction on slippery surfaces. If traction control is active,
upshifts are delayed to increase your control of the
vehicle. See
Traction Control System (TCS)
on
page 5‑6.
The Manual Paddle Shift system can be deactivated
by moving the shifter from S (Sport Mode) back
to D (Drive), or by holding the up‐shift button for
more than one second.
While the Manual Paddle Shift gear selection
system is active, the transmission will automatically
downshift through the gears as the vehicle slows.
The transmission will select 2 (Second) gear as the
vehicle stops. From a stop, the vehicle will start from
and hold 2 (Second) gear unless the driver manually
paddle shifts into a different gear or selects D (Drive).
The driver can select 1 (First) gear for maximum
acceleration from a stop.
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Shifting Into Park
(Automatic Transmission)
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. The vehicle can roll. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be
sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are
on fairly level ground, use the steps that follow.
1. Hold the brake pedal set the parking brake. See Parking Brake
on page 3‑34for more
information.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by holding in the button on the lever and pushing the lever all the
way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Press the Acc. button (ignition switch) to turn the engine off.
Leaving the Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission)
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the
engine running. The vehicle could move suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the
parking brake firmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it could overheat
and even catch fire. You or others could be
injured. Do not leave the vehicle with the engine
running.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running,
be sure the vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking brake
is firmly set before you leave it. After you have moved
the shift lever into P (Park), hold down the regular brake
pedal. See if you can move the shift lever away from
P (Park) without first pushing the button on the lever.
If you can, it means that the shift lever was not fully
locked into P (Park).
3-35

Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift the
transmission into P (Park) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of P (Park). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into P (Park) properly before you leave the driver
seat. To find out how, see “Shifting Into P (Park)”listed
previously in this section.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out
of P (Park) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some
of the pressure from the transmission parking pawl, so
you can pull the shift lever out of P (Park).
Shifting Out of Park
Shift lock release prevents shifting out of P (Park)
unless the vehicle is running or in Accessory mode and
the brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9‐volt)
battery. See Jump Starting
on page 6‑50for more
information. To shift out of P (Park) use the following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of P (Park): 1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from P (Park),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
Parking the Vehicle
(Manual Transmission)
Before you get out of the vehicle, move the shift lever
into R (Reverse) and firmly apply the parking brake.
Once the shift lever has been placed into R (Reverse)
with the clutch pedal pressed in, you can turn the
ignition off and release the clutch.
3-36

Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{WARNING:
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains
Carbon Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen
or smelled. It can cause unconsciousness and
even death. Never run the engine in an enclosed
area that has no fresh air ventilation. For more
information, see Engine Exhaust on page 3‑37.
{WARNING:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
automatic transmission shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. The
vehicle can roll. Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be
sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are
on fairly level ground, always set the parking
brake and move the shift lever to P (Park).
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. See Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission)
on page 3‑35.
3-38