Chevrolet 2012 Corvette User manual

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Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
2012 Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual M
In Brief ........................ 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Performance and
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Keys, Doors, and
Windows .................... 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Doors.........................2-11
Vehicle Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Roof..........................2-20
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Additional Storage Features . . . 4-3
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-28
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-55
Universal Remote System . . . . 5-64
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Phone........................7-18
Trademarks and License
Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-25
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6

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Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
2012 Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual M
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-18
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-27
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-36
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-45
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-48
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-54
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-54
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-48
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-50
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-58
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-82
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
Service and Maintenance . . . 11-1
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 11-1
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 11-3
Special Application
Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Additional Maintenance
and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8
Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts . . . . . . 11-12
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . 11-15
Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Vehicle Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Customer Information . . . . . . . 13-1
Customer Information . . . . . . . . 13-1
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . 13-18
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-20
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-1
OnStar Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
OnStar Additional
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-5
Index ..................... i-1

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Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Introduction iii
The names, logos, emblems,
slogans, vehicle model names,
and vehicle body designs appearing
in this manual including, but not
limited to, GM, the GM logo,
CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET
Emblem, CORVETTE, CORVETTE
GRAND SPORT, Z06, and ZR1 are
trademarks and/or service marks
of General Motors LLC, its
subsidiaries, affiliates, or licensors.
This manual describes features that
may or may not be on your specific
vehicle either because they are
options that you did not purchase or
due to changes subsequent to the
printing of this owner manual.
Please refer to the purchase
documentation relating to your
specific vehicle to confirm each of
the features found on your vehicle.
For vehicles first sold in Canada,
substitute the name “General
Motors of Canada Limited”for
Chevrolet Motor Division
wherever it appears in this manual.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for
quick reference.
Canadian Vehicle Owners
Propriétaires Canadiens
A French language copy of this
manual can be obtained from your
dealer or from:
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de
ce guide en français auprès du
concessionnaire ou à l'adresse
suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
Numéro de poste 6438 de langue
française
www.helminc.com
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 20905002 A First Printing ©2011 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
iv Introduction
Using this Manual
To quickly locate information about
the vehicle, use the Index in the
back of the manual. It is an
alphabetical list of what is in the
manual and the page number where
it can be found.
Danger, Warnings, and
Cautions
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result in
serious injury or death.
Warning or Caution indicates a
hazard that could result in injury
or death.
{WARNING
These mean there is something
that could hurt you or other
people.
Notice: This means there is
something that could result in
property or vehicle damage. This
would not be covered by the
vehicle's warranty.
A circle with a slash through it
is a safety symbol which means
“Do Not,” “Do not do this,”or
“Do not let this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M:This symbol is shown when
you need to see your owner manual
for additional instructions or
information.
*:This symbol is shown when
you need to see a service manual
for additional instructions or
information.

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Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
Introduction v
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
%:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar
®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3:Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer
j:LATCH System Child
Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control/Stabilitrak
®
M:Windshield Washer Fluid

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Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
vi Introduction
2NOTES

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Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Trunk Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Passenger Sensing
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Steering Wheel
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-14
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Vehicle Features
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-18
Bluetooth
®
................... 1-18
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-19
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Roof Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Convertible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control
System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-22
Z06, Z16, and ZR1
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-23
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Roadside Assistance
Program .................... 1-25
OnStar
®
..................... 1-25

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Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
1-2 In Brief
Instrument Panel

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Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-3
A. Air Vents on page 8‑6.
B. Head‐Up Display Controls
(If Equipped). See Head-Up
Display (HUD) on page 5‑32.
C. Turn and Lane‐Change Lever.
See Turn and Lane-Change
Signals on page 6‑4.
Cruise Control on page 9‑45.
Fog Lamps on page 6‑5.
Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.
D. Manual Shift Paddles
(If Equipped). See Automatic
Transmission on page 9‑27.
E. Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5‑28.
F. Instrument Cluster on page 5‑9.
G. Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5‑4.
H. Driver Information Center (DIC)
Buttons. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5‑28.
I. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6‑4.
J. Infotainment on page 7‑1.
K. Dual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑1.
L. Fuel Door Release Button. See
Filling the Tank on page 9‑51.
Hatch/Trunk Release Button.
See “Hatch/Trunk Lid Release”
under Hatch on page 2‑11.
M. Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6‑5.
N. Power Folding Top Switch
(If Equipped). See Convertible
Top on page 2‑24.
O. Data Link Connector (DLC)
(Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5‑19.
P. Bluetooth Controls
(If Equipped). See Bluetooth on
page 7‑18.
Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5‑3(If Equipped).
Q. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5‑2.
R. Horn on page 5‑4.
S. Telescopic Steering Column
Control (If Equipped). See
Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5‑2.
T. Ignition Positions on page 9‑19.
U. Heated Front Seats on page 3‑8
(If Equipped).
V. Shift Lever (Automatic Shown).
See Automatic Transmission on
page 9‑27 or Manual
Transmission on page 9‑32.
W. Active Handling System on
page 9‑38.
X. Power Outlets on page 5‑6.
Y. Selective Ride Control on
page 9‑43 (If Equipped).
Z. Parking Brake on page 9‑36.

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Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
1-4 In Brief
Initial Drive
Information
This section provides a brief
overview about some of the
important features that may or may
not be on your specific vehicle.
For more detailed information, refer
to each of the features which can be
found later in this owner manual.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
The RKE transmitter is used to lock
and unlock the doors from up to
30 m (100 ft) away from the vehicle.
Press the button (A) to remove the
key. The key can be used to lock
and unlock the glove box and to
open the hatch/trunk lid if power to
the vehicle is lost. See Hatch on
page 2‑11 for more information.
K:Press to unlock the driver door.
Press again within five seconds to
unlock both doors.
Q:Press to lock all doors.
}:Press and hold for
approximately one second to open
the hatch/trunk.
L:Press to sound the horn.
Press any other button on the
RKE transmitter to stop it.
See Keys on page 2‑2and Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2‑3.

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Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-5
Door Locks
From the outside, press Qor K
on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter.
A. Door Handle Sensor
B. Power Door Lock Switch
C. Door Latch Button
With the RKE transmitter within
range, grip the door handle
sensor (A). See Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation on
page 2‑3.
From the inside, use the power door
lock switch (B).
Q:Press to lock the doors.
K:Press to unlock the doors.
To open a door from the inside,
push the door latch button (C).
A tone will sound when the button
is pushed.
See Power Door Locks on
page 2‑10.
Loss of Vehicle Electrical
Power
If the vehicle has lost battery power,
the driver door can be opened
manually.
Inside the Vehicle
Pull the door release handle.

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Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
1-6 In Brief
Outside the Vehicle
Use the key to open the hatch/trunk.
See Keys on page 2‑2.
Then, pull the manual door release
handle.
Trunk Release
The vehicle must be in P (Park)
with an automatic transmission and
Neutral with a manual transmission.
For manual transmission vehicles,
the parking brake must be set
when the engine is running for the
hatch/trunk release to operate.
See Parking Brake on page 9‑36.
To release the hatch/trunk:
.Press V
.Press }on the keyless entry
transmitter. See Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on
page 2‑3.

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Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-7
.Push the hatch/trunk release
button with the keyless entry
transmitter within range. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System on page 2‑3.
.Use the vehicle key. See Keys
on page 2‑2.
For more information, see Hatch on
page 2‑11.
Windows
The power window switches are
located on each door.
Pull up or press down on the
front of the switch to raise or
lower the window.
For more information, see Power
Windows on page 2‑18.

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Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
1-8 In Brief
Seat Adjustment
Manual Seats
To adjust a manual seat:
1. Lift the bar under the front of the
seat cushion to unlock the seat.
2. Slide the seat to the desired
position and release the bar.
3. Try to move the seat back and
forth to make sure it is locked
in place.
See Seat Adjustment on page 3‑2
for more information.
Power Seats
To adjust a power seat, if equipped:
.Move the seat forward or
rearward by sliding the control
forward or rearward.
.Raise or lower the front or rear
part of the seat cushion by
moving the front or rear of the
control up or down.
See Power Seat Adjustment on
page 3‑3for more information.
Power Lumbar and Side
Bolsters
A. Lumbar Support Control
B. Side Bolster Support Control
To adjust the support, if equipped:
.Move control (A) forward or
rearward to adjust lumbar
support.
.Move control (B) up or down to
adjust the side bolsters.
See Lumbar Adjustment on
page 3‑3for more information.

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Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-9
Reclining Seatbacks
To recline a manual seatback:
1. Lift the lever on the outboard
side of the seat.
2. Move the seatback to the
desired position, and then
release the lever to lock the
seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to
make sure it is locked.
See Reclining Seatbacks on
page 3‑3for more information.
Heated Seats
If available, the buttons are on the
center console. The ignition must be
on for this feature to work.
L:Press to turn on the heated
seat at the high setting.
Press again to switch to the low
setting.
9:Press to turn the system off.
See Heated Front Seats on
page 3‑8for more information.
Memory Features
On vehicles with the memory
feature, the controls on the driver
door are used to program and recall
memory settings for the driver seat,
outside mirrors, and the telescopic
steering column.

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Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
1-10 In Brief
Storing Memory Positions
To save into memory:
1. Adjust the driver seat, both
outside mirrors, and the
telescopic steering column.
2. Press and hold “1”until
two beeps sound.
3. Repeat for a second driver
position using “2.”
To recall:
.On vehicles with an automatic
transmission, press and
release “1”or “2.”
If the vehicle is in P (Park), a
single beep sounds and the
memory position is recalled after
a brief delay.
If the vehicle is not in P (Park),
three beeps sound and the
memory position is not recalled.
.On vehicles with a manual
transmission, when the vehicle
is on, the parking brake must be
set to recall a memory position.
Press and release “1”or “2.”
A single beep sounds and the
memory position is recalled after
a brief delay.
If the vehicle is on and the
parking brake is not set,
three beeps sound and the
memory position is not recalled.
See Memory Seats on page 3‑5for
more information.
Easy Exit Driver Seat
This feature can move the seat
rearward and the telescopic steering
column out of the way to allow extra
room to exit the vehicle.
B:Press to save and recall the
easy exit seat position.
To save into memory:
1. Recall the desired driving
position by pressing “1.”
2. Adjust the seat and the
telescopic steering column to
the desired exit position.
3. Press and hold Buntil
two beeps sound.
4. Repeat for a second driver
position using “2.”
To recall, press and release B.
The vehicle must be in P (Park) for
an automatic transmission or the
parking brake must be set for a
manual transmission. A single beep
sounds. The seat and telescopic
steering column will move to the
position previously stored for the
identified driver.
See Memory Seats on page 3‑5for
more information.

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Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-11
Safety Belts
Refer to the following sections for
important information on how to use
safety belts properly.
.Safety Belts on page 3‑8.
.How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly on page 3‑10.
.Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 3‑11.
.Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)
(Coupe and Convertible Models
Only) on page 3‑35 or Lower
Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)
(Z06 and ZR1 Models Only) on
page 3‑35.
Passenger Sensing
System
The passenger sensing system
will turn off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag and
seat‐mounted side impact airbag
under certain conditions. No other
airbag is affected by the passenger
sensing system.
The passenger airbag status
indicator will be visible in the
rearview mirror when the vehicle
is started.
United States
Canada and Mexico
See Passenger Sensing System on
page 3‑21 for important information.

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Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
1-12 In Brief
Mirror Adjustment
Exterior Mirrors
To adjust mirrors:
1. Press }or |to select a mirror.
2. Press the control pad to adjust
the mirror.
3. Return the switch to the center
to deselect the mirror.
See Power Mirrors on page 2‑16.
If the vehicle has the memory
feature, a preferred mirror position
can be stored. See Power Seat
Adjustment on page 3‑3.
To fold, pull the mirror toward the
vehicle. Push the mirror outward, to
return it to the original position.
Interior Mirror
An automatic dimming rearview
mirror will automatically reduce
headlamp glare coming from
vehicles that are traveling
behind you.
See Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror on page 2‑17.
Steering Wheel
Adjustment
The lever is located on the left side
of the steering column.
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull the lever toward you.
2. Move the steering wheel up
or down.
3. Release the lever to lock the
steering wheel in place.

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Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-13
Telescopic Steering Column
For vehicles with this feature, the
telescopic steering column control is
located on the right side of the
steering column.
To adjust the telescopic steering
column:
1. Push the switch forward to move
the wheel away from you.
2. Pull the switch toward you to
move the wheel closer to you.
The telescopic steering column
position can be stored with your
memory settings. See “Memory
Seat, Mirrors, and Steering Wheel”
under Power Seat Adjustment on
page 3‑3for more information.
Interior Lighting
Courtesy Lamps
When any door or the hatch/trunk lid
is opened, the interior lamps will go
on, unless it is bright outside.
The courtesy lamps can also be
turned on and off by pressing the
instrument panel brightness knob.
Reading Lamps
The inside rearview mirror includes
two reading lamps. The lamps go on
when a door is opened. When the
doors are closed, press the lamp
buttons to turn on each lamp.
Interior Light Control
To adjust the brightness of the
interior lights, turn and hold the
instrument panel brightness control
knob located on the left side of the
instrument panel. Push the knob in
to turn the lights on or off.
For more information on interior
lighting, see:
.Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6‑5.
.Entry/Exit Lighting on page 6‑6.

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Chevrolet Corvette Owner Manual - 2012
1-14 In Brief
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamps
The exterior lamp control is located
to the left of the steering wheel, on
the multifunction lever.
O:Turn the band with this
symbol on it to operate the
exterior lamps.
O:Turns off all lamps.
AUTO: Sets the exterior lamps to
automatic mode. AUTO mode turns
the exterior lamps on and off
depending on how much light is
available outside the vehicle.
;:Turns on the parking lamps
together with the sidemarker lamps,
taillamps, license plate lamps, and
instrument panel lights.
5:Turns on the headlamps
together with the parking lamps,
sidemarker lamps, taillamps,
license plate lamps, and instrument
panel lights.
For more information, see:
.Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6‑1.
.Turn and Lane-Change Signals
on page 6‑4.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
The windshield wiper/washer lever
is located on the right side of the
steering column.
1:Use for fast wipes.
6:Use for slow wipes.
3:Use to set a delay between
wipes.
x:Use for a delayed wiping
cycle. Turn the intermittent adjust
band down for a longer delay or
up for a shorter delay.