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Old Apr 28, 2006 | 12:51 PM
  #1  
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Default Things I should know....

So I am traveling home this weekend and it is my first opportunity to see/drive/play with my new car. Since this is my first corvette and I'm not very familiar with them, I was wondering if you experienced Vette owners could give me some tips on owning one. Just anything stupid that might take me a while to figure out myself. (its a 99 coupe)
Thanks in advance
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Old Apr 28, 2006 | 01:03 PM
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The 1-4 skip shift lockout can be a surprise if it's a 6-speed. You can buy a simple plug-in connector to eliminate this though.

Be careful when parking with the low nose. Parking stops can sneak up on you.

Don't forget to latch the targa top before you take off or you'll join the infamous frc (flying roof club). This is pretty common this time of year with the spring cleanings and all...

Oh and most importantly, wave at every passing Corvette

Best of luck.
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Old Apr 28, 2006 | 01:05 PM
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Read the stickys at the top of this and the tech forum. And take it to the track sooner than latter My preference is HPDE on a road course , autocross is next and I'm not really into drag racing but a lot of guys here think its the best.

Have a blast, and drive it like its intended to be driven
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Old Apr 28, 2006 | 01:08 PM
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1. The little yellow "helper light" on the bottom of the rear-view mirror that illuminates the shifter area.
2. That you can put your key in the driver's door and turn it twice towards the front to unlock the passenger door and a third time to pop the trunk.
3. That you can pop the trunk and also pop the gas cap cover by pulling on metal lines hidden in the back.
4. That the little slotted cover on the dash behind the steering wheel is where the inside air temperature sensor is located.
5. All of the option codes are in the glove box. And if they aren't there, look on the underside of the rear compartment lid (passenger side, I think).
6. Tire inflation recommended pressures are on the driver's door (don't laugh, this comes up a lot).
7. The thing that looks like a little LED near the DIC buttons is a light sensor.
8. The thing that looks like a little LED near the defroster vent is a UV sensor for determining A/C usage to compensate for the heating effect of the sun.
9. Your build sheet is in the front re-bar, your front bumper cover must be pulled for access!
10. When the engine is shut off, you can get the odometer reading by turning on the parking lights.
11. You can program setting #3 (both memory buttons at once) in the seat memory to run the seat back and steering wheel forward for getting in/out of the car with the engine running.
12. Reset oil life by pumping gas pedal 3 times (but not with the engine running).
13. Hold down RESET button while on one of the trip odometers and it gives you the mileage you traveled since last starting the car.
14. Hold down the Active Handling button for 5 sec. to engage "Competitive Driving" (2000 and previous years must be stopped.)
15. If you hate DRLs you can pull the e-brake ONE click and they go off....
16. Simply remove fuse #2 under the hood and your DRLs will be out permanently. Only thing affected is that when you unlock at night using the key fob your front turn signal lights and back up lights will not flash. You front turn signals will operate normally. GO STEALTH and extend the life of your front turn signal bulbs (changing them out is not picnic).
17. The side-view mirrors can twist both forward and backward, decreasing the chance of damage if struck.
18. If you pull the seatbelts all the way out while you're buckled in, they ratchet back in to hold you tighter into the seat (that's how the owner's video describes this feature)
19. The parking brake is self-adjusting... but depends on the car rolling or wanting to roll backward to work. Not mentioned in the owners manual (looked for it).
20. I didn't realize there is a red LED light on the left side of the radio so I had one installed to work when the security system is on. Someone told me to program the radio theft lock feature and that initiated the LED flashing. Now I have two of them flashing when the security system is on.
21. There is a release opening with a flap to let air out of the car when the hatch is closed.
It is located just above the driver side rear compartment, behind the panel.
22. There is a spot on the driver side just out of the middle compartment under the carpet for the lug nut key. You should have a compartment on the drivers & passenger’s side (in the trunk) and a center compartment. On the left (drivers) side of the center compartment, on the left side where the center cover fits, there is an 'indent' that holds the wheel lock key.

23. The bolts that hold the disk changer in the car, when installed from the factory cannot be removed. They have to be cut off.
24. You can ground your amp to a screw/bolt that holds the rear middle compartment to the frame.
25. If you turn on the headlights, then go to parking light position quickly, the lamps remain up but the headlights are not burning - this is for washing the lights.
26. If you have a 6-speed car you can pop the trunk when the car is running by lifting the e-brake.
27. On my Z06, the interior illumination light (the light that shines down from the rear-view mirror) is blue-ish and it will turn to a yellow color by sliding a colored lens over the lamp opening (no sheezot!) - I am not sure why this happens but the light does illuminate the console/shifter area.
28. Also not listed here, but the good CorvetteForum folks schooled me on this - if you go to comp-mode on the DIC, you can just hit reset to go back to displaying whatever mode you were in (fuel, odom etc.) and the comp-mode will still be activated.
29. If you have the passive entry feature: If you lock your keys in the car, wait a few minutes and then shake the car. That will unlock the car.
30. HUD has a shift light for manuals.
31. You can easily shift the M6 trans up or down without the clutch if you match revs. (Not great for longevity, however.)
32. You can eject the CD from the in-dash player without turning on any power. Don't even need key in the ignition.
33. The cruise will disengage if you purposely make sharp side to side turns while cruising at say 60-80 mph.
34. When the engine is shut off, you can get the odometer reading by turning on the parking lights.
35. HUD has a shift light for A4's too... it comes on during a WOT run just before it shifts!
36. With the engine off, opening the glovebox automatically turns on interior lighting.


There are probably a few more - but these will get you started......

Enjoy the ride!
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2006 | 01:19 PM
  #5  
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Originally Posted by blacksedan87
1. The little yellow "helper light" on the bottom of the rear-view mirror that illuminates the shifter area.
2. That you can put your key in the driver's door and turn it twice towards the front to unlock the passenger door and a third time to pop the trunk.
3. That you can pop the trunk and also pop the gas cap cover by pulling on metal lines hidden in the back.
4. That the little slotted cover on the dash behind the steering wheel is where the inside air temperature sensor is located.
5. All of the option codes are in the glove box. And if they aren't there, look on the underside of the rear compartment lid (passenger side, I think).
6. Tire inflation recommended pressures are on the driver's door (don't laugh, this comes up a lot).
7. The thing that looks like a little LED near the DIC buttons is a light sensor.
8. The thing that looks like a little LED near the defroster vent is a UV sensor for determining A/C usage to compensate for the heating effect of the sun.
9. Your build sheet is in the front re-bar, your front bumper cover must be pulled for access!
10. When the engine is shut off, you can get the odometer reading by turning on the parking lights.
11. You can program setting #3 (both memory buttons at once) in the seat memory to run the seat back and steering wheel forward for getting in/out of the car with the engine running.
12. Reset oil life by pumping gas pedal 3 times (but not with the engine running).
13. Hold down RESET button while on one of the trip odometers and it gives you the mileage you traveled since last starting the car.
14. Hold down the Active Handling button for 5 sec. to engage "Competitive Driving" (2000 and previous years must be stopped.)
15. If you hate DRLs you can pull the e-brake ONE click and they go off....
16. Simply remove fuse #2 under the hood and your DRLs will be out permanently. Only thing affected is that when you unlock at night using the key fob your front turn signal lights and back up lights will not flash. You front turn signals will operate normally. GO STEALTH and extend the life of your front turn signal bulbs (changing them out is not picnic).
17. The side-view mirrors can twist both forward and backward, decreasing the chance of damage if struck.
18. If you pull the seatbelts all the way out while you're buckled in, they ratchet back in to hold you tighter into the seat (that's how the owner's video describes this feature)
19. The parking brake is self-adjusting... but depends on the car rolling or wanting to roll backward to work. Not mentioned in the owners manual (looked for it).
20. I didn't realize there is a red LED light on the left side of the radio so I had one installed to work when the security system is on. Someone told me to program the radio theft lock feature and that initiated the LED flashing. Now I have two of them flashing when the security system is on.
21. There is a release opening with a flap to let air out of the car when the hatch is closed.
It is located just above the driver side rear compartment, behind the panel.
22. There is a spot on the driver side just out of the middle compartment under the carpet for the lug nut key. You should have a compartment on the drivers & passenger’s side (in the trunk) and a center compartment. On the left (drivers) side of the center compartment, on the left side where the center cover fits, there is an 'indent' that holds the wheel lock key.

23. The bolts that hold the disk changer in the car, when installed from the factory cannot be removed. They have to be cut off.
24. You can ground your amp to a screw/bolt that holds the rear middle compartment to the frame.
25. If you turn on the headlights, then go to parking light position quickly, the lamps remain up but the headlights are not burning - this is for washing the lights.
26. If you have a 6-speed car you can pop the trunk when the car is running by lifting the e-brake.
27. On my Z06, the interior illumination light (the light that shines down from the rear-view mirror) is blue-ish and it will turn to a yellow color by sliding a colored lens over the lamp opening (no sheezot!) - I am not sure why this happens but the light does illuminate the console/shifter area.
28. Also not listed here, but the good CorvetteForum folks schooled me on this - if you go to comp-mode on the DIC, you can just hit reset to go back to displaying whatever mode you were in (fuel, odom etc.) and the comp-mode will still be activated.
29. If you have the passive entry feature: If you lock your keys in the car, wait a few minutes and then shake the car. That will unlock the car.
30. HUD has a shift light for manuals.
31. You can easily shift the M6 trans up or down without the clutch if you match revs. (Not great for longevity, however.)
32. You can eject the CD from the in-dash player without turning on any power. Don't even need key in the ignition.
33. The cruise will disengage if you purposely make sharp side to side turns while cruising at say 60-80 mph.
34. When the engine is shut off, you can get the odometer reading by turning on the parking lights.
35. HUD has a shift light for A4's too... it comes on during a WOT run just before it shifts!
36. With the engine off, opening the glovebox automatically turns on interior lighting.


There are probably a few more - but these will get you started......

Enjoy the ride!
Holy Hell Blacksedan87. You went above and beyond the call of duty!! Thanks for all your help, I really do appreciate it!!!
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2006 | 01:35 PM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by MattB
Read the stickys at the top of this and the tech forum. And take it to the track sooner than latter My preference is HPDE on a road course , autocross is next and I'm not really into drag racing but a lot of guys here think its the best.

Have a blast, and drive it like its intended to be driven


And before you floor it -- work up to it and get used to it, the power is unbelievable

And thanks to blacksedan87 for the helpful tips. There was stuff in there I did not know.

Reply
Old Apr 28, 2006 | 01:41 PM
  #7  
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This is one of the most informative posts I have seen. Awesome info! I will add this...RADAR DETECTOR!!!...a GOOD ONE!
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2006 | 01:48 PM
  #8  
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Originally Posted by marcous416
Holy Hell Blacksedan87. You went above and beyond the call of duty!! Thanks for all your help, I really do appreciate it!!!
Randy's just that kinda guy!

Good luck and be safe on your trip!
Reply
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Old Apr 28, 2006 | 01:55 PM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by corvette Mark
This is one of the most informative posts I have seen. Awesome info! I will add this...RADAR DETECTOR!!!...a GOOD ONE!


Just don't ask if you should get a Passport 8500 X50 or a Valentine 1...you'll spark a religious war

btw - get the Passport
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Old Apr 28, 2006 | 02:05 PM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by dukekid68


Just don't ask if you should get a Passport 8500 X50 or a Valentine 1...you'll spark a religious war

btw - get the Passport
Also, which exhaust is best, rotors and pads, ....
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Old Apr 28, 2006 | 02:09 PM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by blacksedan87
30. HUD has a shift light for manuals.
SAY WHAT ???
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Old Apr 28, 2006 | 02:28 PM
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35. HUD has a shift light for A4's too... it comes on during a WOT run just before it shifts!

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Old Apr 28, 2006 | 04:00 PM
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Originally Posted by corvette Mark
This is one of the most informative posts I have seen. Awesome info! I will add this...RADAR DETECTOR!!!...a GOOD ONE!
It better be a damn good one becase I live in Virgina.
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Old Apr 28, 2006 | 04:30 PM
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if you are gonna try and do a burn-out, make sure you turn off traction control and active handeling
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Old Apr 28, 2006 | 05:19 PM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by FrankTank
if you are gonna try and do a burn-out, make sure you turn off traction control and active handeling
Are the traction control and active handling two different features, and if so, where are they each located?
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Old Apr 28, 2006 | 05:24 PM
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My good buddy, Rands, has posted a nice lengthy list of very helpful insider Corvette info. Enjoy!
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Old Apr 28, 2006 | 05:28 PM
  #17  
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Congrats on your first Vette. Just go out and enjoy, but take it easy until you get used to the handling and power that this car offers.
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Old Apr 28, 2006 | 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by marcous416
Are the traction control and active handling two different features, and if so, where are they each located?

TC and AH are two separate systems, but are both controlled by the same button on the console. First of all - are you sure that you have AH? What does it say next to the button? Another way to tell is if you have RPO JL4 on the RPO sticker - JL4 is Active Handling. This was an option on '99 cars and only became available in mid/late '98.

Traction control is exactly as the name implies - it controls rear wheel spin. It reduces throttle if it detects the rear wheels are spinning significantly faster than the front wheels. It is standard on all Vettes.

Active Handling employs yaw sensors. If present and turned on - it will keep the front and back ends from swapping ends, by applying front brake opposite of the direction of the spin.

If you want to disable both (and have both), with the engine running and the car stopped - press the button once. You will get a message on the DIC stating ACTIVE HANDLING/TRAC CNTRL OFF.

If you have AH - you can put the car into COMPETITION MODE which is T/C off - AH on by holding down the button for 5 seconds again with the engine on, but the vehicle stopped. You will see the COMPETITION MODE message on the DIC.

Enjoy - but be careful - these cars can be a handful without the systems. I'm sure you're a good driver, but you will be very surprised if you have everything off. 300hp rear wheel drive can be a handful if you're not ready for it.
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Old Apr 28, 2006 | 05:34 PM
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Originally Posted by marcous416
Holy Hell Blacksedan87. You went above and beyond the call of duty!! Thanks for all your help, I really do appreciate it!!!

GREAT INFO!!!
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2006 | 05:37 PM
  #20  
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Can't believe nobody's brought this up yet...

Remove the side spears/side bumpers/door-guards/rub-strips/body side molding or whatever they're called.

That should be your first (it's free) mod.

Good luck with your new ride and enjoy the heck out of it!
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