brakes CHEVROLET CORVETTE C8 2021 User Guide

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14622938) - 2021 - CRC - 9/22/20
Driving and Operating 185
Caution
Do not use power tools when removing
or installing the fasteners. Damage to the
threads may occur. Use hand tools only,
and do not overtighten. Hand start the
fasteners to ensure that the threads do
not bind or cross thread.
The racing and competitive driving wheel
alignment settings should be set as
described here.
To achieve the track alignment specified
settings: 1. The upper control arm to body washers on all four corners will need to be
moved from between the body and the
control arm and relocated between the
head of the bolt and the control arm.
2. Adjust the lower control arm cam bolt position to achieve the following
specifications.
Front (per corner)
.Caster: +8.0 degrees
.Camber: -3.0 degrees
.Toe (total): 0.1 degrees toe in Rear (per corner)
.Caster: 0 degrees
.Camber: -2.5 degrees
.Toe (total): 0.1 degrees toe in
.Thrust Angle: 0 degrees
After track use, reinstall washers between
the body and the control arms. Reset to
factory alignment settings. See your dealer.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle
traction and affect your ability to stop and
accelerate. Always drive slower in these
types of driving conditions and avoid driving
through large puddles and deep-standing or
flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They
might not work as well in a quick stop
and could cause pulling to one side. You
could lose control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of
water or a car/vehicle wash, lightly apply
the brake pedal until the brakes work
normally. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. Driving through flowing water
could cause the vehicle to be carried
away. If this happens, you and other
vehicle occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very
cautious about trying to drive through
flowing water.
Caution
Driving through deep puddles or standing
water can cause water to come in
through the engine air intake and
damage the engine. If deep puddles or
standing water cannot be avoided,
proceed with caution and do not exceed
8 km/h (5 mph). Do not drive through
water that may come close to or cover
the vehicle’s underbody.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build
up under the vehicle's tires so they actually
ride on the water. This can happen if the

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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186 Driving and Operating
road is wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is hydroplaning, it
has little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about
hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow
down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather
driving tips include:
.Allow extra following distance.
.Pass with caution.
.Keep windshield wiping equipment in
good shape.
.Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir
filled.
.Have good tires with proper tread depth.
SeeTires 0261.
.Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains
is different than driving on flat or rolling
terrain. Tips include:
.When driving downhill in D (Drive), the
vehicle may automatically downshift to
assist with speed control.
.A lower gear may also be selected to
provide further speed control.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the vehicle on a
long downhill slope can cause brake
overheating, can reduce brake
performance, and could result in a loss of
braking. Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the brakes
on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with
the ignition off is dangerous. This can
cause overheating of the brakes and loss
of steering assist. Always have the engine
running and the vehicle in gear.
.Drive at speeds that keep the vehicle in
its own lane. Do not swing wide or cross
the center line.
.Be alert on top of hills; something could
be in your lane (e.g., stalled car, crash).
.Pay attention to special road signs (e.g.,
falling rocks area, winding roads, long
grades, passing or no-passing zones) and
take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires and the road
creates less traction or grip, so drive
carefully. Wet ice can occur at about 0 °C
(32 °F) when freezing rain begins to fall.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the
surface under the tires slick.
.Turn on Traction Control. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control 0205.
.The Antilock Brake System (ABS) improves
vehicle stability during hard stops, but
the brakes should be applied sooner than
when on dry pavement. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) 0203.
.Allow greater following distance and
watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can
occur on otherwise clear roads in shaded
areas. The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden
steering maneuvers and braking while
on ice.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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192 Driving and Operating
Ignition Positions
The vehicle has an electronic keyless ignition
with pushbutton start.
The remote key must be in the vehicle for
the system to operate. If the pushbutton
start is not working, the vehicle may be
near a strong radio antenna signal causing
interference to the Keyless Access system.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation 07.
To shift out of P (Park), the vehicle must be
turned on and the brake pedal must be
applied. Stopping the Engine/OFF (No Indicator
Lights) :
When the vehicle is stopped, press
ENGINE START/STOP once to turn the
engine off.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), the ignition will
turn off, and Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
will remain active. See Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) 0194.
If the vehicle is in R (Reverse), D (Drive),
or M (Manual Mode), the vehicle will shift
to P (Park), the ignition will turn off, and
RAP will remain active.
If the vehicle is in N (Neutral), the ignition
will return to ACC/ACCESSORY and display
the message SHIFT TO PARK in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). When the vehicle
is shifted into P (Park), the ignition will
turn off.
Do not turn the engine off when the vehicle
is moving. This will cause a loss of power
assist in the brake and steering systems and
disable the airbags.
If the vehicle must be turned off in an
emergency: 1. Brake using a firm and steady pressure. Do not pump the brakes repeatedly. This
may deplete power assist, requiring
increased brake pedal force. 2. Shift into N (Neutral). This can be done
while the vehicle is moving. After
shifting into N (Neutral), firmly apply the
brakes and steer the vehicle to a safe
location.
3. Come to a complete stop. Shift into P (Park).
4. Set the parking brake. See Electric
Parking Brake 0204. Press ENGINE
START/STOP to turn the vehicle off.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while moving may
cause loss of power assist in the brake
and steering systems and disable the
airbags. While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over and
must be turned off while driving, press and
hold ENGINE START/STOP for more than
two seconds, or press twice within
five seconds.
ACC/ACCESSORY (Amber Indicator Light) :
This mode allows the use of some electrical
accessories when the engine is off.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 199
6. The vehicle will now remain inN (Neutral).
Driver Leaves Vehicle : To place the vehicle
in N (Neutral) with the engine off and the
vehicle unoccupied:
1. Ensure the vehicle is on level ground, the engine is running and the vehicle is in
P (Park).
2. Apply the brake pedal.
3. Open the door.
4. Shift to N (Neutral).
5. Turn off the engine and release the brake pedal.
6. The indicator should continue to show N. If it does not, start the engine and
repeat Steps 2–5.
7. Exit the vehicle and close the door.
8. The vehicle may automatically shift to P (Park) upon re-entry.Caution
A transmission hot message may display
if the transmission fluid is too hot.
Driving under this condition can damage
the vehicle. Stop and idle the engine to
cool the transmission fluid. This message
clears when the transmission fluid has
cooled sufficiently.
D : This position is for normal driving.
If more power is needed for passing, press
the accelerator pedal.
If the vehicle is shifted into D (Drive) while
the speed is too high, the transmission will
get ready to engage D (Drive). Reduce the
vehicle speed, then the transmission will
engage D (Drive).
To shift into D (Drive):
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Pull the D (Drive) switch on the center console.
To shift out of D (Drive): 1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Shift to the desired gear. Downshifting the transmission in slippery
road conditions could result in skidding. See
“Skidding”
underLoss of Control 0179.
The transmission can be shifted like a
manual transmission using the paddle shift
controls while in D (Drive). See Manual
Mode 0200.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle
in one place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage the
transmission. The repair will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. If the
vehicle is stuck, do not spin the tires.
When stopping on a hill, use the brakes
to hold the vehicle in place.

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Driving and Operating 203
rate of launch. Tire spin may occur with the
accelerator pedal pressed and the Traction
Control System (TCS) turned off.
This launch occurs when both of these
conditions are met:
.Vehicle speed is below 10 km/h (6 mph).
.Both the + paddle and−paddle are
released at the same time.
With the accelerator fully pressed and the
engine at the rev limiter, peak performance
only occurs if the paddles are released
within a short period of time after reaching
the rev limit (i.e., a few seconds).
Standard Exit : Engine power is reapplied to
the wheels gently to support normal vehicle
operation on public roads.
This occurs when paddles are released under
any of the these conditions:
.Vehicle speed is above 10 km/h (6 mph).
.The vehicle is in R (Reverse).
.The + paddle and −paddle are not
released at the same time.
If the vehicle was in Temporary Manual
Paddle Shift mode before entering Double
Paddle Declutch, the vehicle will return to D
(Drive) with automatic shifting upon exiting
Double Paddle Declutch.
{Warning
When exiting Double Paddle Declutch, the
vehicle may move rapidly. You could lose
control and cause a crash with nearby
people or objects. Be ready to release the
accelerator pedal or apply the brakes
immediately if the vehicle moves too
quickly. Do not use the Double Paddle
Declutch when people or objects are near.
Brakes
Electric Brake Boost
Vehicles equipped with electric brake boost
have hydraulic brake circuits that are
electronically controlled when the brake
pedal is applied during normal operation.
The system performs routine tests and turns
off within a few minutes after the vehicle is
turned off. Noise may be heard during this
time. If the brake pedal is pressed during
the tests or when the electric brake boost
system is off, a noticeable change in pedal
force and travel may be felt. This is normal.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) helps
prevent a braking skid and maintain steering
while braking hard.
If there is a problem with ABS, this warning
light stays on. See Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light 088.
ABS does not change the time needed to
get a foot on the brake pedal and does not
always decrease stopping distance. If you
get too close to the vehicle ahead, there will
not be enough time to apply the brakes if
that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always
leave enough room ahead to stop, even
with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake
pedal down firmly. Hearing and feeling ABS
operate is normal.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 205
If the amber service parking brake warning
light is on, release the EPB by pressing and
holding the EPB switch. Continue to hold the
switch until the red parking brake status
light is off. If either light stays on after
release is attempted, see your dealer.
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to brake
system parts. Make sure that the parking
brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
Automatic EPB Release
The EPB will automatically release if the
vehicle is running, placed into gear, and an
attempt is made to drive away. Avoid rapid
acceleration when the EPB is applied, to
preserve parking brake lining life.
Brake Assist
Brake Assist detects rapid brake pedal
applications due to emergency braking
situations and provides additional braking to
activate the Antilock Brake System (ABS) if
the brake pedal is not pushed hard enough
to activate ABS normally. Minor noise, brakepedal pulsation, and/or pedal movement
during this time may occur. Continue to
apply the brake pedal as the driving
situation dictates. Brake Assist disengages
when the brake pedal is released.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
{Warning
Do not rely on the HSA feature. HSA does
not replace the need to pay attention
and drive safely. You may not hear or
feel alerts or warnings provided by this
system. Failure to use proper care when
driving may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. See
Defensive Driving
0 177.
When the vehicle is stopped on a grade, Hill
Start Assist (HSA) prevents the vehicle from
rolling in an unintended direction during the
transition from brake pedal release to
accelerator pedal apply. The brakes release
when the accelerator pedal is applied. If the
accelerator pedal is not applied within a few
minutes, the Electric Parking Brake will
apply. The brakes may also release under
other conditions. Do not rely on HSA to hold
the vehicle. HSA is available when the vehicle is facing
uphill in a forward gear, or when facing
downhill in R (Reverse). The vehicle must
come to a complete stop on a grade for HSA
to activate.
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and a StabiliTrak/Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system. These
systems help limit wheel spin and assist the
driver in maintaining control, especially on
slippery road conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that the rear
wheels are spinning too much or are
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to the
spinning wheel and reduces engine power
(by closing the throttle and managing
engine spark) to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak/ESC activates when the vehicle
senses a difference between the intended
path and the direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak/ESC selectively applies

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206 Driving and Operating
braking pressure to any one of the vehicle
wheel brakes to assist the driver in keeping
the vehicle on the intended path.
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. SeeCruise Control 0218.
If the driver disables TCS, cruise control will
disengage. Cruise control will also be
disabled if Performance Traction
Management (PTM) is selected, or if
StabiliTrak is turned off.
Both systems come on automatically when
the vehicle is started and begins to move.
The systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while performing
diagnostic checks. This is normal and does
not mean there is a problem with the
vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both systems on
for normal driving conditions, but it may be
necessary to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow. See If the
Vehicle Is Stuck 0187 and “Turning the
Systems Off and On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems is in the
instrument cluster. This light will:
.Flash when TCS is limiting wheel spin
.Flash when StabiliTrak/ESC is activated
.Flash when ABS is active
.Turn on and stay on when either system
is not working
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), and
=comes on
and stays on to indicate that the system is
inactive and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is safe to
drive, but driving should be adjusted
accordingly.
If
=comes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine. Drive the vehicle. If
=comes on and stays
on, the vehicle may need more time to
diagnose the problem. If the condition
persists, see your dealer.
Turning the Systems Off and On
The TCS/StabiliTrak/ESC button is on the
center console.
Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or accelerate
heavily when TCS is off. The vehicle
driveline could be damaged.

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212 Driving and Operating
Cluster Display
Configures the gauge cluster display for
each mode when linked (default).
The Layout Display (Theme) is a preset of
Cluster Display and cannot be modified or
changed independently.
Throttle Progression
Adjusts throttle sensitivity by selecting how
quickly or slowly the throttle reacts to
input.
Throttle Progression is a preset of
Powertrain and cannot be modified or
changed independently.
Transmission Shift Operation
Basic:
.Transmission upshifts and downshifts are
selected based on vehicle speed and
accelerator position to optimize comfort
and fuel economy during mild driving
conditions.
Driver Influenced Gear Selection:
.Aggressive driving will influence both the
upshift and downshift points in all modes.
.Criteria which have influence are: driving
mode, accelerator, brakes, lateral and
longitudinal loading.
.Changes in gear selection behavior due to
aggressive driving can include:
‐ Downshifting early with higher rpm’s
during aggressive braking (i.e. entering
a corner)
‐ Altering upshifts while experiencing
lateral acceleration
‐ Not upshifting when the accelerator is
released to avoid unnecessary shifts if
the accelerator is re-applied
‐ Recognizing sporty driving and
anticipate upcoming corners with the
appropriate gear selection entering and
exiting
.Driver Modes
‐Driver influenced changes are effective
in all driving modes, however the
aggressiveness of the transmission
response will increase between Tour,
Sport, and Track Modes respectively.
Active Fuel Management (engine cylinder
shuts off)
.Normal with Dual Clutch Transmission:
The engine uses 8-cylinder mode when
accelerating, but changes to 4-cylinder
mode when coasting. Active Fuel Management is a preset of
Powertrain and cannot be modified or
changed independently.
Engine Sound
Caution
Using a stealth engine sound setting
during spirited driving will cause the
exhaust system to overheat and damage
the variable exhaust valves. Do not use
this setting when auto-crossing or driving
on high speed tracks.
If available, engine sound settings change
when the variable exhaust valves open.
Steering (Assist Effort)
Adjusts from a lighter steering feel to
reduced assist for more steering feel.
Magnetic Ride Control (if equipped)
Adjusts the shock dampening firmness based
on driving conditions to improve comfort
and performance.
Drive Mode Customization
The vehicle is equipped to modify the
following vehicle settings base on vehicle
content. Through the center stack, under

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Driving and Operating 215
accomplished by regulating and optimizing
the engine, brakes, and suspension
performance. These modes are for use at a
closed course race track and are not
intended for use on public roads. They will
not compensate for driver inexperience or
lack of familiarity with the race track.
Drivers who prefer to allow the system to
have more control of the engine, brakes,
and suspension are advised to turn the
normal traction control and StabiliTrak/ESC
systems on.
Competitive Driving Mode
Competitive Driving Mode allows full engine
power while StabiliTrak/ESC helps maintain
directional control of the vehicle by selective
brake application. In this mode, the TCS is
off and Launch Control is available.
Adjust your driving style to account for the
available engine power. See“Launch
Control” later in this section.
These lights are on when the vehicle is in
the Competitive Driving Mode.
In order to select this optional handling
mode, the vehicle mode must be Sport or
Track (if equipped with Performance Traction
Management (PTM), then Competitive
Driving Mode is only available in Sport).
Then quickly press
@on the center console
two times. ESC COMPETITIVE MODE displays
in the Driver Information Center (DIC).
When
@is pressed again, the traction off
light
iand StabiliTrak/ESC OFF light@will
go out.
Performance Traction Management
(PTM) (if equipped)
PTM integrates the TCS, StabiliTrak/ESC, and
Magnetic Ride Control systems to provide
improved and consistent performance when
cornering. The amount of available engine power is based on the mode selected, track
conditions, driver skill, and the radius of
each corner.
This light is on when the vehicle is in the
PTM Mode. To select this optional handling
mode, the vehicle mode must be in Track.
Then quickly press
@on the center console
two times. Performance Traction Wet —ESC
On displays in the DIC.
To experience the performance benefit of
this system, after entering a curve and at
the point where normal acceleration occurs,
fully press the accelerator pedal. The PTM
system will modify the level of engine
power for a smooth and consistent
corner exit.
The PTM system contains five modes. These
modes are selected by turning the MODE
switch on the center console. Scroll through
modes 1–5 by turning the mode control dial.

Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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218 Driving and Operating
Cruise Control
With cruise control, a speed of about
40 km/h (25 mph) or more can be
maintained without keeping your foot on
the accelerator. Cruise control does not work
at speeds below about 40 km/h (25 mph).
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous where
you cannot drive safely at a steady
speed. Do not use cruise control on
winding roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast
changes in tire traction can cause
excessive wheel slip, and you could lose
control. Do not use cruise control on
slippery roads.
If the Traction Control System (TCS) begins
to limit wheel spin while you are using
cruise control, the cruise control
automatically disengages. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control 0205.
When road conditions allow for using safely
again, cruise control can be turned back on. If the brakes are applied, cruise control
disengages.
Cruise control will disengage if either TCS or
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
is turned off.
1:
Press to turn cruise control on or off.
A white indicator comes on in the
instrument cluster when cruise is turned on.
+RES : If there is a set speed in memory,
press briefly to resume to that speed or
press and hold to accelerate. If cruise control
is already engaged, use to increase vehicle
speed. SET–
:Press briefly to set the speed and
activate cruise control. If cruise control is
already engaged, use to decrease vehicle
speed.
*: Press to disengage cruise control
without erasing the set speed from memory.
The speedometer reading can be displayed
in either English or metric units. See
Instrument Cluster 079. The increment
value used depends on the units displayed.
Setting Cruise Control
If
1is on when not in use, SET– or +RES
could get pressed and go into cruise when
not desired. Keep
1off when cruise is not
being used.
1. Press
1to turn the cruise system on.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press and release SET– on the steering
wheel.
4. Remove foot from the accelerator.
The cruise control indicator on the
instrument cluster turns green after cruise
control has been set to the desired speed.
See Instrument Cluster 079.