brakes CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2010 6.G Owners Manual

{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

Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a desired speed and then
the brakes are applied, the cruise control is disengaged.
But it does not need to be reset.
Once the vehicle is going about 40 km/h (25 mph) or
more, you can move the cruise control switch briefly
from
RtoS.
The vehicles goes back up to your chosen speed and
stays there.
If the switch is held at resume/accelerate the vehicle
keeps going faster until the switch is released or the
brake is applied. Do not hold the switch at resume/
accelerate, unless you want the vehicle to go faster.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
.Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher
speed. Press
Jat the end of the lever, then
release the button and the accelerator pedal.
The vehicle now cruises at the higher speed. If the
accelerator pedal is held longer than 60 seconds,
cruise control will turn off.
.Move the cruise switch fromRtoS. Hold it there
until desired speed is reached, and then release
the switch. To increase the vehicle speed in small
amounts, move the switch briefly to
S. Each time
this is done, the vehicle goes about 1.6 km/h
(1 mph) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
.Press and hold the set button until the lower speed
desired is reached, then release it.
.To slow down in small amounts, briefly pressJ.
Each time this is done, the vehicle goes about
1.6 km/h (1 mph) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle's
speed. When you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle slows down to the cruise control speed set
earlier.
4-9

Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works on hills depends upon
the vehicle's speed, load, and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you might want to step on
the accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle's speed.
When going downhill, you might have to brake or shift
to a lower gear to keep the vehicle's speed down. When
the brakes are applied the cruise control turns off.
Cruise Control in Sport and Manual Paddle
Shift Gear Selection
When the vehicle is in S (Sport) and the manual paddle
shift controls are not being used, cruise control
operates in the same manner as D (Drive).
When the vehicle is in S (Sport) and the manual paddle
shift controls are being used, cruise control operates as
follows:
.If cruise control is active and a gear is selected
with the manual paddle shift controls, the vehicle
speed is maintained in the driver selected gear
and will not automatically up-shift or down-shift
the transmission while the driver ’s gear selection
is active.
.If driving in hilly terrain, cruise control may not be
able to maintain vehicle speed if an up-shift or
down-shift is not selected by the driver. While
driving on hilly terrain and cruise control is active
with a manual paddle shift gear selection, the
driver must select the proper gear for the terrain or
select D (Drive) on the gear range selector for full
automatic transmission operation.
Ending Cruise Control
To end a cruise control session, step lightly on the
brake pedal. If the vehicle has a manual transmission,
lightly tapping the clutch will also end a cruise control
session.
Move the cruise control switch to
9to turn the system
completely off.
When cruise control is disengaged, the CRUISE
DISENGAGED message displays on the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See DIC Warnings and
Messages on page 4‑52.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased when
the cruise control or the ignition is turned off.
4-10

This light comes on briefly while starting the engine. If it
does not come on, have it fixed so it is ready to warn if
there is a problem.
{WARNING:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service.
If this warning light stays on after the engine is started,
the parking brake may still be set or there could be a
brake problem. Refer to Parking Brake
on page 3‑34to
see if it is set. If the parking brake is not set, have the
brake system inspected right away.
If the light comes on while driving and a CHECK
BRAKE FLUID message shows on the DIC, pull off the
road and stop carefully. The pedal may be 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 Towing Your Vehicle
on
page 5‑33and DIC Warnings and Messageson
page 4‑52for more information.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with the
Antilock Brake System
(ABS), this light comes on
briefly when the engine is
started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer/
retailer. If the system is working normally the indicator
light then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the light
comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light is not
on, the vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock brakes.
If the regular brake system warning light is also on, the
vehicle does not have antilock brakes and there is a
problem with the regular brakes. See Brake System
Warning Light on page 4‑36.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC), see
DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑52for all
brake related DIC messages.
4-37

BUCKLE PASSENGER
This message reminds you to buckle the passenger's
safety belt.
This message displays and a sound will be heard when
the ignition is on, the driver's safety belt is buckled, the
passenger's safety belt is unbuckled with the passenger
airbag enabled, and the vehicle is in motion. You should
have the passenger buckle their safety belt.
The reminder will be repeated if the ignition is on, the
vehicle is in motion, the driver is buckled and the
passenger is still unbuckled, and the passenger airbag
is enabled. If the passenger's safety belt is already
buckled, this message will not come on.
BUCKLE SEATBELT
This message reminds you to buckle the driver's
safety belt.
This message displays and a sound will be heard when
the ignition is on, the driver's safety belt is unbuckled,
and the vehicle is in motion. You should buckle your
safety belt.
If the driver remains unbuckled when the ignition is
on and the vehicle is in motion, the reminder will be
repeated. If the driver's safety belt is already buckled,
this message will not come on. This message is an additional reminder to the safety
belt reminder light in the instrument panel cluster.
See
Safety Belt Reminders
on page 4‑32for more
information.
CHANGE BRAKE PADS
On vehicles with electronic brake pad wear sensors,
this message will be displayed when the pads are worn.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL
This message displays when the life of the engine
oil has expired. See Scheduled Maintenanceon
page 7‑3. After an oil change, the engine oil life
system must be reset. See “Engine Oil Life”under
DIC Operation and Displays
on page 4‑47. Also, see
Engine Oilon page 6‑19and Engine Oil Life Systemon page 6‑25for more information.
CHECK BRAKE FLUID
This message displays, a sound will be heard, and the
brake system warning light on the instrument panel
cluster turns on if the ignition is on to inform the driver
that the brake fluid level is low. See Brake System
Warning Light
on page 4‑36. Have the brake system
serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
See Brakes on page 6‑43.
4-54

SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM
This message displays if there is a problem with the
Active Handling System and the vehicle needs service.
The active handling system light on the instrument
panel cluster also turns on and a sound will be heard.
See your dealer/retailer. When this message is
displayed, the system is not working. Adjust your driving
accordingly. See Active Handling System
on page 5‑8for more information.
SERVICE AIR CONDITIONING
This message displays when the electronic sensors
that control the air conditioning and heating systems
are no longer working. Have the climate control system
serviced by your dealer/retailer if you notice a drop in
heating and air conditioning efficiency.
SERVICE ANTILOCK BRAKES
If this message displays while 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, the
vehicle is in need of service. See your dealer/retailer. If the antilock brake system (ABS) warning light is on
and the regular brake system warning light is not on,
you still have brakes, but do not have ABS. If the
regular brake system warning light is also on, you do
not have ABS and there is a problem with the brakes.
See
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on
page 4‑37and Brake System Warning Lighton
page 4‑36.
If this message is displayed, the Traction Control
System (TCS) and the Active Handling System will
also be disabled. The DIC will scroll three messages:
SERVICE ANTILOCK BRAKES, SERVICE TRACTION
SYSTEM, and SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING, and the
instrument panel cluster lights will come on along with a
sound. When the service message is displayed, the
computer controlled systems will not assist the driver.
Have the system repaired by your dealer/retailer as
soon as possible. Adjust your driving accordingly.
To acknowledge these messages, press the RESET
button.
4-63

For persons under 21, it is against the law in every
U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical,
psychological, and developmental reasons for
these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway
safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and
then drive.
Medical research shows that alcohol in a person's
system can make crash injuries worse, especially
injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or heart. This means
that when anyone who has been drinking —driver or
passenger —is in a crash, that person's chance of
being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if
the person had not been drinking.Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control the 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 the
vehicle. See Traction Control System (TCS)
on
page 5‑6and Active Handling System on page 5‑8.
Adding non‐dealer/non‐retailer accessories can affect
vehicle performance. See Accessories and
Modifications on page 6‑3.
5-3

Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 4‑36.
Braking action involves perception time and reaction
time. Deciding to push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it 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 100 km/h (60 mph) travels
20 m (66 feet). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between the
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 with a lot of
heavy braking. Keeping pace with the traffic and
allowing realistic following distances eliminates a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means better braking and
longer brake life.
If the engine ever stops while the vehicle is being
driven, brake normally but do not pump the brakes.
If the brakes are pumped, the pedal could get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, there will still be some
power brake assist but it will be used when the brake is
applied. Once the power assist is used up, it can take
longer to stop and the brake pedal will be harder
to push.
Under certain weather or operating conditions,
occasional brake squeak, squeal, or other noise might
be heard with the vehicle's performance braking
system. This brake system is designed for superior fade
resistance and consistent operation using high
performance brake pads. Brake noise and brake dust
are normal and do not affect system performance.
Adding non‐dealer/non‐retailer accessories can affect
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and
Modifications on page 6‑3.
5-4

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS), an
advanced electronic braking system that helps prevent
a braking skid.
When the engine is started and the vehicle begins to
drive away, ABS checks itself. A momentary motor or
clicking noise might be heard while this test is going on,
and it might even be noticed that the brake pedal
moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with
ABS, this warning light
stays on. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
on
page 4‑37.
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at each wheel. ABS can change the brake pressure to each wheel, as
required, faster than any driver could. This can help the
driver steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time needed to
get a foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, there will not be enough time to apply the
brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room up ahead to stop, even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down firmly and let antilock work. A motor or clicking
noise might be heard and the brake pedal might be felt
to move a little during a stop, but this is normal.
5-5

Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help more
than even the very best braking.
Brake Assist
This vehicle has a brake assist feature that responds to
emergency braking by generating additional pressure
and engaging the ABS. When this happens, the brake
pedal will feel easier to push. Just hold the brake pedal
down firmly and let the system work for you. You might
feel the brakes vibrate or notice some noise, but this is
normal. The brakes will return to normal operation after
the brake pedal is released.
Brake assist cannot compensate for unsafe driving
practices and braking effectiveness, itself, depends on
the condition of the road, tires, and brakes and
vehicle mass.
Traction Control System (TCS)
The vehicle has a Traction Control System (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 TCS is
limiting wheel spin. See DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑52. The system may be heard or felt while it
is working, but this is normal.
If cruise control is being used when TCS begins to limit
wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. Cruise control may be reengaged when
road conditions allow. See Cruise Control on page 4‑7.
5-6