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Old Oct 12, 2023 | 06:03 AM
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Default Mode Selector

Is it just me or am I the only one that finds the C8 Mode Selector odd and difficult to use. I see a lot of complaints about the “row of button” but haven’t seen anything about this strange mode selector. The so-called palm rest is weird and gets in the way of gripping the whole ****, and there is no way to know what mode you are in without looking at the main screen. Wouldn’t things have worked better if the palm rest was gone and there was a **** that moved to each select and stayed there with an indicator light for each mode?? You wouldn’t have to turn the **** right or left any more searching on the main screen for the correct mode. I’ll take function over a fancy palm rest that hides the **** and mimics a computer mouse.
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Oct 12, 2023, 06:20 AM
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Could be harsh but you asked. I believe it’s you.

When you first get your car it takes about five minutes of driving to figure out and remember the sequence of modes from left to right. Considering that in default you are in the middle position having to use your fingertips to select the preferred mode takes at most two twitches to the right or left. No need to look away from the road to see an indicator light below your instrument cluster. OR in the newest models you can configure “Z” mode to your liking and not have to touch the mode selector at all. Just push “Z”.

The shroud (palm rest) that protects the mode selector **** from damage is just a shroud. It isn’t a hand rest. Especially with both hands on the steering* wheel.
Old Oct 12, 2023 | 06:20 AM
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Could be harsh but you asked. I believe it’s you.

When you first get your car it takes about five minutes of driving to figure out and remember the sequence of modes from left to right. Considering that in default you are in the middle position having to use your fingertips to select the preferred mode takes at most two twitches to the right or left. No need to look away from the road to see an indicator light below your instrument cluster. OR in the newest models you can configure “Z” mode to your liking and not have to touch the mode selector at all. Just push “Z”.

The shroud (palm rest) that protects the mode selector **** from damage is just a shroud. It isn’t a hand rest. Especially with both hands on the steering* wheel.
Old Oct 12, 2023 | 07:13 AM
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Originally Posted by BADBIRDCAGE
Could be harsh but you asked. I believe it’s you.

When you first get your car it takes about five minutes of driving to figure out and remember the sequence of modes from left to right. Considering that in default you are in the middle position having to use your fingertips to select the preferred mode takes at most two twitches to the right or left. No need to look away from the road to see an indicator light below your instrument cluster. OR in the newest models you can configure “Z” mode to your liking and not have to touch the mode selector at all. Just push “Z”.

The shroud (palm rest) that protects the mode selector **** from damage is just a shroud. It isn’t a hand rest. Especially with both hands on the steering* wheel.
I guess my memory may not be as good as yours and I don’t use the different modes until i want to do some spirited driving so I do wind up turning it the wrong way most of the time. I also may have fatter fingers than you since it is awkward for me to feel underneath and pinch the controller with my fingertips to move the **** back and forth. Just my thoughts.
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Old Oct 12, 2023 | 07:19 AM
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Originally Posted by AMXJim
Is it just me or am I the only one that finds the C8 Mode Selector odd and difficult to use...
YES. The **** insanely stupid. There is nothing intuitive or usefully functional about it. It is as if no one in development ever considered needing to change modes while driving!
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Old Oct 12, 2023 | 07:58 AM
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In the service manual, it is called "Front Floor Console Auxiliary Armrest". Its is held in by only 4 bolts. But getting to them to remove/install it a very length task. See post 3 at that thread:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1607103822




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Old Oct 12, 2023 | 08:00 AM
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Originally Posted by AMXJim
I guess my memory may not be as good as yours and I don’t use the different modes until i want to do some spirited driving so I do wind up turning it the wrong way most of the time. I also may have fatter fingers than you since it is awkward for me to feel underneath and pinch the controller with my fingertips to move the **** back and forth. Just my thoughts.
Your point taken, configure “Z” mode to your liking. Make it easier on yourself.

OR. remember that from default “performance/spirited” driving is clockwise on the mode selector. Once for Sport, twice for Track.

Enjoy driving your car.
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Old Oct 12, 2023 | 08:54 AM
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If I could have it my way, there would be a row of buttons on the bottom of the infotainment screen. A separate physical button for each and every drive mode. Look, tap, done.
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Old Oct 12, 2023 | 09:02 AM
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It is you and your way would require looking down at a critical moment
I use Z mode for critical moments and have plenty of time for anything else !
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Old Oct 12, 2023 | 10:49 AM
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Configure Z Mode as your spirited driving mode and My Mode as your touring mode. One thumb push on the steering wheel button gets you into your spirited driving mode without looking. One CCW twist on the mode button gets you back into your touring mode without looking.
I wish they would have made the Z Mode button a toggle so it toggled between Z mode and the previous mode. They still could make it revert back to Tour on a start cycle if they had to. An option to revert back to My Mode on a start cycle would be even better since it can restart in My Mode.
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Old Oct 12, 2023 | 10:53 AM
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Everyone has mental limitations, self recognition is step one. I would suggest setting up your Z mode button to reduce your burden moving forward.
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Old Oct 12, 2023 | 11:01 AM
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I have no issues whatsoever with the mode selector so I can only conclude that it's you...

After the first few days of ownership and driving and getting used to all the settings and how they function things like this become fairly rote and intuitive...
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Old Oct 12, 2023 | 11:02 AM
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Originally Posted by sanddigger
Everyone has mental limitations, self recognition is step one. I would suggest setting up your Z mode button to reduce your burden moving forward.
That's just funny.
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Old Oct 12, 2023 | 11:17 AM
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Originally Posted by sprtplt
YES. The **** insanely stupid. There is nothing intuitive or usefully functional about it. It is as if no one in development ever considered needing to change modes while driving!
Agreed. Someone on here mentioned the Pad is there to protect the ****. Why would that **** need protection? I think the new gear selector is actually more prone to damage from a falling object. Anyway, I think some engineer in their attempt to make the C8 look more futuristic added a mouse pad over the selector. If it is a hand rest for when you have to reach under/around and pinch the **** to turn it, I think it is counterintuitive and puts your wrist at an awkward position, but I will agree it looks nice. Can’t tell you how many people think its a mouse pad for the GPS screen.
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Old Oct 12, 2023 | 11:26 AM
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In the Mid-Engine Revolution book, GM describes it as an "ergonomically designed **** prominently located on the center console next to the gear selector."
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Old Oct 12, 2023 | 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by RKCRLR
Configure Z Mode as your spirited driving mode and My Mode as your touring mode. One thumb push on the steering wheel button gets you into your spirited driving mode without looking. One CCW twist on the mode button gets you back into your touring mode without looking.
I wish they would have made the Z Mode button a toggle so it toggled between Z mode and the previous mode. They still could make it revert back to Tour on a start cycle if they had to. An option to revert back to My Mode on a start cycle would be even better since it can restart in My Mode.
That's a good method, except for one thing. Once in Z-Mode, and if you shutdown in that mode, it will revert to Tour on the next restart. If you shutdown in MyMode on our car, it restarts in MyMode, but that's no big deal.

On the larger issue, I find the way the **** was designed to be excellent, and I'm very used to it since it is basically the same as in our two C7s. I'd rather keep my eyes up, not looking down, which is my gripe with the wall of buttons. Even worse are the pathetically weak LEDs that can't be seen in most daylight conditions without cupping a hand over the buttons to darken them enough to see what is on and what is off.
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Old Oct 12, 2023 | 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Foosh
That's a good method, except for one thing. Once in Z-Mode, and if you shutdown in that mode, it will revert to Tour on the next restart. If you shutdown in MyMode on our car, it restarts in MyMode, but that's no big deal.

On the larger issue, I find the way the **** was designed to be excellent, and I'm very used to it since it is basically the same as in our two C7s. I'd rather keep my eyes up, not looking down, which is my gripe with the wall of buttons. Even worse are the pathetically weak LEDs that can't be seen in most daylight conditions without cupping a hand over the buttons to darken them enough to see what is on and what is off.
That is one of my very few complaints about this car.
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Old Oct 12, 2023 | 12:20 PM
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Originally Posted by AMXJim
Agreed. Someone on here mentioned the Pad is there to protect the ****. Why would that **** need protection? I think the new gear selector is actually more prone to damage from a falling object. Anyway, I think some engineer in their attempt to make the C8 look more futuristic added a mouse pad over the selector. If it is a hand rest for when you have to reach under/around and pinch the **** to turn it, I think it is counterintuitive and puts your wrist at an awkward position, but I will agree it looks nice. Can’t tell you how many people think its a mouse pad for the GPS screen.

The **** needs protection from the heavy handed individual that could attempt to pound it into downward with great force and damage the contact mechanism it is connected to. The shroud guards against that.

What object in the car is going to fall down onto it from above?


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Old Oct 12, 2023 | 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by BADBIRDCAGE
The **** needs protection from the heavy handed individual that could attempt to pound it into downward with great force and damage the contact mechanism it is connected to. The shroud guards against that.

What object in the car is going to fall down onto it from above?
You mentioned protecting it- I never thought a C8 owner would pound anything inside his $100k car. I thought you were thinking about a falling radar detector or an ez pass transmitter on a hot day.
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Old Oct 12, 2023 | 02:14 PM
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Originally Posted by AMXJim
Is it just me or am I the only one that finds the C8 Mode Selector odd and difficult to use. I see a lot of complaints about the “row of button” but haven’t seen anything about this strange mode selector. The so-called palm rest is weird and gets in the way of gripping the whole ****, and there is no way to know what mode you are in without looking at the main screen. Wouldn’t things have worked better if the palm rest was gone and there was a **** that moved to each select and stayed there with an indicator light for each mode?? You wouldn’t have to turn the **** right or left any more searching on the main screen for the correct mode. I’ll take function over a fancy palm rest that hides the **** and mimics a computer mouse.
Heck no! Thought the Wrist Rest was a great addition compared to my two C7's. Less Russian Roulet as well than the C7s!

Now in fairness I mostly use it to get out of Z-Mode. If I use the steering wheel button it goes into Touring I never use! I use Z-Mode and MY Mode. Most items set the same. So to get out of Z-Mode I reach down without looking. Rest my hand on the Wrist Rest and make one quick CCW Turn. It's in My Mode. Been doing that for 3 years! Can see on the dash but hardly ever look. Great addition!

I only use those two Modes so I think it's great addition compared to my C7s!!
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Old Oct 12, 2023 | 03:11 PM
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Originally Posted by AMXJim
You mentioned protecting it- I never thought a C8 owner would pound anything inside his $100k car. I thought you were thinking about a falling radar detector or an ez pass transmitter on a hot day.
By protecting the **** as they did the driver can’t twist the selector at an angle, can’t drop the hand onto it with force, etc.

Hadn’t given thought to a falling EZ Pass unit as mine is attached to the forward side of the screen. And it weighs about an ounce and a half. No radar detector for me but I know others use them and do mirror attachments. Guess a fall is possible.
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