manual transmission CHEVROLET CORVETTE 2011 6.G Owner's Guide

Black plate (44,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
5-44 Instruments and Controls
Lamp Messages
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED
This message displays if it is dark
enough outside and the headlamps
and the Twilight Sentinel
®controls
are off. This message informs the
driver that turning on the exterior
lamps is recommended. It has
become dark enough outside to
require the headlamps and/or other
exterior lamps.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays and a
sound will be heard if a turn signal
is left on for 1.2 km (three-quarters
of a mile). Move the turn signal/
multifunction lever to the off
position.
To acknowledge this message,
press the RESET button.
Ride Control System
Messages
ACTIVE HANDLING
This message displays when
the Active Handling System is
operating. The Active Handling
System is a computer controlled
system that assists 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 message stays on for a few
seconds following the active
handling event. This is normal when
the system is operating. See Active
Handling System on page 9‑37 and
Braking on page 9‑3.
ACTIVE HANDLING READY
This message displays when the
functional check of the Active
Handling System has been
completed. See Active Handling
System on page 9‑37 for more
information.
COMPETITIVE DRIVING MODE
This message displays and a
sound will be heard when the
Competitive Driving mode is
selected. The instrument panel
cluster light will be on when the
Competitive Driving mode is
selected. If your vehicle is equipped
with a manual transmission, Launch
Control is available when this
mode selected. The Traction
Control System (TCS) will not
be operating while in the
Competitive Driving mode. Adjust
your driving accordingly. This
system is available on all models
except ZR1. See Competitive
Driving Mode on page 9‑38,
including the “Launch Control”
information.

Black plate (50,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
5-50 Instruments and Controls
Anti-Theft Alarm System
Messages
INTRUSION SENSOR OFF
This message may display when the
anti-theft alarm has been disarmed.
INTRUSION SENSOR ON
This message may display when the
anti-theft alarm has been armed.
Service Vehicle Messages
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 if you
notice a drop in heating and air
conditioning efficiency.
SERVICE ELECTRICAL
SYSTEM
This message displays if an
electrical problem has occurred
within the Powertrain Control
Module (PCM). Have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message displays and a sound
will be heard when there may be an
electrical or another system problem
with the vehicle. Have your vehicle
checked by your dealer if this
message keeps appearing.
Starting the Vehicle
Messages
PRESS BRAKE TO START
ENGINE (Automatic
Transmission Only)
This message displays if you
try to start the engine by pressing
the keyless ignition start button
without having the brake pressed.
The brake needs to be pressed
when starting the engine. See
Ignition Positions on page 9‑20for
more information.

Black plate (53,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-53
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 the RESET button. 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 the Tire Loading
Information label. SeeRun-Flat
Tires on page 10‑59, Vehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑14, Tire Pressure
on page 10‑66, and Tire Pressure
Monitor System on page 10‑68.
The DIC also shows the tire
pressure values. See Driver
Information Center (DIC) on
page 5‑25.
To acknowledge the message, press
the RESET button. A message
reappears every 10 minutes until the
condition is corrected.Transmission Messages
SERVICE TRANSMISSION
This message displays when there
is a problem with the transmission.
See your dealer for service.
SHIFT TO PARK
If the vehicle has an automatic
transmission, this message displays
if the vehicle is not in P (Park)
when the engine is being turned off.
The vehicle will be in ACCESSORY
Once the shift lever is moved to
P (Park), the vehicle will turn off.
The vehicle will remain in
ACCESSORY, without the 20 minute
time-out period, until the shift lever
is moved to P (Park) or until the
driver presses the pushbutton to
restart the vehicle. See Ignition
Positions on page 9‑20 for more
information.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE
ENGINE
This message displays and four
chimes sound if the transmission
fluid temperature rises above
132°C (270°F) or rises rapidly.
The transmission may shift gears
or apply the torque converter clutch
to reduce the fluid temperature.
Driving aggressively or driving
on long hills can cause the
transmission fluid temperature
to be higher than normal. If this
message appears, you may
continue to drive at a slower speed.
Monitor the transmission fluid
temperature and allow it to cool
to at least 110°C (230°F). The
transmission fluid temperature can
be monitored with the gauges button
on the DIC. See “DIC Operation and
Displays” underDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑25 and
Automatic Transmission Fluid on
page 10‑23. Also check the engine
coolant temperature. If it is also
hot, see Engine Overheating on
page 10‑34.

Black plate (54,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
5-54 Instruments and Controls
If this message is displayed during
normal vehicle operation on flat
roads, the vehicle may need
service. See your dealer for an
inspection.
If driving in a performance or
competitive manner, the use of
(S) Sport Automatic Mode or
(S) Sport Manual Paddle Shift
gear selection is recommended.
SeeAutomatic Transmission on
page 9‑28 for more information.
To acknowledge the message, press
the RESET button. The message
reappears every 10 minutes until
this condition changes. If you do
not press the RESET button, the
message remains on the display
until the condition changes.
UPSHIFT NOW
See Manual Transmission on
page 9‑32.
Vehicle Reminder
Messages
ACCESSORY MODE ON
This message displays when the
vehicle is in accessory mode.
ICE POSSIBLE
This message displays when
the outside air temperature is
cold enough to create icy road
conditions. Adjust your driving
accordingly.
OPTIONS UNAVAILABLE
This message displays for a
few seconds if a keyless access
transmitter that is not labelled 1 or 2
is used and you try to personalize
the features on the vehicle by
pressing the OPTION button.
The personalization system will
not recognize the transmitter and
the DIC will not display the current
driver number or the menus
used to set personalizations. The personalization features will
then be set to the default states.
See
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑55 for more information.
SET PARK BRAKE FOR SEAT
RECALL
If the vehicle has a manual
transmission, this message
displays if you try to recall the
memory positions when the ignition
is on and the parking brake is not
set. If the vehicle is on, you must
set the parking brake in order for
the memory positions to recall.
See“Memory Seat, Mirrors and
Steering Wheel” underPower Seat
Adjustment on page 3‑3 for more
information.
Washer Fluid Messages
CHECK WASHER FLUID
See Washer Fluid on page 10‑37.

Black plate (56,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
5-56 Instruments and Controls
Entering the Personal
Options Menu
To enter the personal options menu,
use the following steps:
1. If you have an automatictransmission vehicle, turn the
vehicle on with the shift lever in
P (Park).
If you have a manual
transmission vehicle, turn the
vehicle on with the parking
brake set.
To avoid excessive drain on the
battery, it is recommended that
the headlamps are turned off. 2. Press the OPTION button and
you will enter the PERSONAL
OPTIONS menu.
The DIC will display the current
driver number (1 or 2) for a
few seconds and then will
display instructions on which
buttons to use for setting the
personalizations. The RESET
button is used to select a
setting for a particular feature.
The OPTION button is used to
move to the next feature.
3. Press the OPTION button while the instruction screen is
displayed to enter the first
personalization menu item.
4. Once you have cycled through all of the personal options,
pressing the OPTION button
a final time exits the personal
options menu. In addition,
if no button is pressed within
45 seconds, the DIC will exit the
personal options menu. Personal Options
The following options are available
for programming:
Display Units:
This option allows
you to choose the measurement
units.
Press the OPTION button until
DISPLAY UNITS appears on the
display, then press the RESET
button to scroll through the following
modes:
.ENGLISH (default)
.METRIC
If you choose ENGLISH, all
information will be displayed in
English units.
If you choose METRIC, all
information will be displayed in
metric units.
When the mode you want is
selected, press the OPTION button
to set your choice and advance to
the next personal option.

Black plate (57,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-57
Auto Memory Recall (Automatic
Transmission only):If your
automatic transmission vehicle
has the memory package, you may
have this option. This option allows
the driver's seat, the telescopic
steering column, if your vehicle
has this feature, and the outside
rearview mirrors to automatically
move to the current driver's set
position when the engine starts.
Press the OPTION button until
AUTO MEMORY RECALL appears
on the display, then press the
RESET button to scroll through the
following modes:
.YES
.NO (default)
If you choose YES, the driver's seat,
the outside rearview mirrors and the
telescopic steering column, if your
vehicle has this feature, positions
are recalled when you turn the
ignition on.
If you choose NO, this option will
turn off. When the mode you want is
selected, press the OPTION button
to set your choice and advance to
the next personal option.
Auto Exit Recall:
If your vehicle
has the memory package, you may
have this option. This option allows
the driver's seat and telescopic
steering column, if your vehicle has
this feature, to automatically move
to the current driver's exit position
when one of the following occurs:
.The vehicle is turned off or in
Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) or accessory mode and
the driver's door is opened.
.The vehicle is turned off or in
RAP and the unlock button on
the keyless access transmitter is
pressed.
In order for the Auto Exit Recall
feature to work on an automatic
transmission vehicle, the vehicle
must be in P (Park). On a manual
transmission vehicle, the parking
brake must be set. Press the OPTION button until
AUTO EXIT RECALL appears on
the display, then press the RESET
button to scroll through the following
modes:
.YES
.NO (default)
If you choose YES, when you turn
the ignition off and open the driver's
door or press the unlock button
on the keyless access transmitter,
the seat and the telescopic steering
wheel, if your vehicle has this
feature, will return to their stored
exit positions for an easy exit or an
easy entrance when returning to the
vehicle.
The seat and steering wheel will
only return to the stored driving
position if you press the appropriate
memory button or activate the auto
memory recall feature.
If you choose NO, this option will
turn off.

Black plate (61,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Instruments and Controls 5-61
If you choose SILENT, the doors
will automatically lock a short time
after you remove a keyless access
transmitter from the interior of the
vehicle and close both doors.
If you choose HORN, the doors will
automatically lock and the horn will
sound a short time after you remove
a keyless access transmitter from
the interior of the vehicle and close
both doors.
If you are parking in a quiet area
and do not want the horn to sound
when the doors lock, press the
lock button on the keyless access
transmitter immediately after
removing it from the interior and
closing the doors. This will lock
the doors and cancel the passive
locking for this ignition cycle.
When the mode you want is
selected, press the OPTION button
to set your choice and advance to
the next personal option.Passive Door Unlock:
This option
allows you to select which doors
will automatically unlock when you
approach and open the driver's door
with the keyless access transmitter.
See Door Locks on page 2‑8 for
more information.
Press the OPTION button until
PASSIVE DOOR UNLOCK appears
on the display, then press the
RESET button to scroll through
the following modes:
.DRIVER
.BOTH (default)
If you choose DRIVER, only the
driver's door will automatically
unlock when you approach and
open the driver's door with the
keyless access transmitter.
If you choose BOTH, both doors
will automatically unlock when you
approach and open the driver's door
with the keyless access transmitter. Auto Unlock:
This option allows
you to select whether the driver's
door, both doors or neither door
automatically unlocks when the
shift lever is moved into P (Park) for
automatic transmission vehicles or
when the ignition is turned off or is
in RAP for manual transmission
vehicles.
Press the OPTION button until
AUTO UNLOCK appears on the
display, then press the RESET
button to scroll through the following
modes:.OFF
.DRIVER
.BOTH (default)
If you choose OFF, this option will
turn off.

Black plate (62,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
5-62 Instruments and Controls
If you choose DRIVER, on
automatic transmission vehicles,
the driver's door will automatically
unlock when the shift lever is
moved into P (Park). On manual
transmission vehicles, the driver's
door will automatically unlock when
the ignition is turned off or is in RAP.
If you choose BOTH, on automatic
transmission vehicles, both doors
will automatically unlock when the
shift lever is moved into P (Park).
On manual transmission vehicles,
both doors will automatically unlock
when the ignition is turned off or is
in RAP.
When the mode you want is
selected, press the OPTION button
to set your choice and advance to
the next personal option.
Language:This option allows you
to select the language the DIC, the
Head-Up Display (HUD), if your
vehicle has this feature, and the
radio uses to display messages.
Each language mode will be
displayed in its own language. For example, English will be
displayed as ENGLISH, Spanish as
ESPANOL, etc. If your vehicle has
the navigation system, you will not
have the Japanese language mode.
Press the OPTION button until
LANGUAGE appears on the display,
then press the RESET button to
scroll through the following modes:
.ENGLISH (default)
.DEUTSCH (German)
.FRANCAIS (French)
.ITALIANO (Italian)
.ESPANOL (Spanish)
If you choose a language that you
do not understand, press the
OPTION and RESET buttons
for five seconds. The DIC will
begin displaying all of the various
languages one by one for as long
as the buttons are pressed. When
the desired language is displayed,
release the buttons and the DIC
will set to this language. When the mode you want is
selected, press the OPTION button
to set your choice and advance to
the next personal option.
Personalize Name:
This option
allows you to type in a name or
greeting that will appear on the DIC
display whenever the corresponding
keyless access transmitter (1 or 2)
is used or one of the memory
buttons (1 or 2) located on the
driver's door is pressed.
Press the OPTION button until
PERSONALIZE NAME appears on
the display, then press the RESET
button to scroll through the following
modes:
.YES
.NO (default)
If you choose YES, you can type in
a name that will appear on the DIC
display.

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
6-2 Lighting
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder
A warning chime will sound if the
exterior lamp control is left on in
either the headlamp or parking lamp
position and the driver's door is
opened with the ignition off.
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low
beam to high, push the turn signal
lever all the way forward. To change
from high to low beam, pull the lever
rearward.
While the high beams are on, this
light on the instrument panel cluster
will also be lit.
Flash-to-Pass
To use the flash-to-pass feature,
briefly pull the turn signal lever
toward you. The high-beam
indicator flashes to indicate to
the other driver that you intend to
pass. If the low-beam headlamps
are off and the fog lamps are on,
the fog lamps flash.
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can
make it easier for others to see the
front of your vehicle during the day.
Fully functional daytime running
lamps are required on all vehicles
first sold in Canada.The DRL system makes the front
turn signal lamps come on when the
following conditions are met:
.It is still daylight and the ignition
is on.
.The exterior lamp control is in
the AUTO position.
.The transmission is not in
P (Park) or the parking brake
is off.
.The parking brake is off or the
vehicle speed is greater than
13 km/h (8 mph).
When DRL are on, only the front
turn signal lamps will be on.
The parking lamps, taillamps,
instrument panel lights, or other
exterior lamps will not be on
when the DRL are being used.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2011
Driving and Operating 9-1
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Racing or Other CompetitiveDriving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . 9-9
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 9-10
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-11
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . 9-13
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . 9-14
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . 9-18
Front Air Dam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20 Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Shifting Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Parking (Manual Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Parking Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . 9-28
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-29
Manual Transmission
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . 9-32
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Active Handling System . . . . . 9-37
Competitive Driving Mode . . . 9-38
Limited-Slip Rear Axle . . . . . . . 9-42
Selective Ride Control . . . . . . . 9-42
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-44
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . 9-49
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-49
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 9-49
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-50
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-51
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-53
Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On ElectricalEquipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54