C7 Tips and Tricks

Sharing some things I've learned driving this awesome car the last few months, both from reading the manual and discovery. Here's what is covered in this one:
- A nice screen wallpaper display
- Full diagnostic mode which allows all of your electronics to be on and functional without having to actually start your car
- Quickly resetting your trip information
- Valet mode
Screen Display
With the car and radio powered on press and hold the radio power button for a couple of seconds and the display will appear. Just press the radio power button again and it will resume to the page you had before and turn the power back on.
Diagnostic Mode
With the car powered off and the keys nearby press and hold the start button WITHOUT YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE for about 8-10 seconds. This mode is used by the service technicians when trouble-shooting electronic issues. This will activate all of the electronics that typically do not come on in accessory mode, such as the heads up display and all of the driver selection screens.
Quickly Resetting your trip odometers
I had someone ask a question about this recently. There are two ways to reset your trip odometers as well as the other information. The first way is to use the right thumb pad and press the right arrow which brings up another submenu with a "reset all" option. The easier way is to just press and hold the "SEL" button on the right thumb pad when on the screen you want to reset and it will reset in 3-4 seconds. It takes that long to ensure you don't accidentally reset.
Valet Mode
Here's another one I get a lot of questions about. Valet mode is a great feature if you are parking somewhere and want to keep small valuables in the car. You can activate valet mode straight from the main menu and it will ask you to enter a 4-digit pin twice. As soon as you enter it the second time it is active. There is a lot of confusion about valet mode, but here's the actual run down. As soon as it is activated your radio will shut off. Your drop down screen, glove box and trunk will all lock and cannot be opened manually or with the key FOB. This is important to note if you want to get into your trunk after you engage valet mode….you can't, so get in there before you activate it! Lastly, valet mode does not in any way reduce the performance of your car. It does NOT keep it in V4 mode and it does NOT govern the torque or horsepower. That would have been a great feature, but our current models do not have this.
Thanks guys! Hope this helps!

[@vetten76]

Outstanding video. I’ve had my 2019 for 4 months and still have no idea how everything works. Good job on this.

[@thatcuteginger3017]

vetten76 congrats on your new ride! I hope it brings you years of happiness as mine has. Let me know if you have any questions and I will be more than happy to help!

[@james-ww3ot]

I've had mine about the same time and have learned a lot from these videos that the subject isn't covered in the manual or doesn't tell you everything about that feature.

[@jefffields7582]

Thank you....... I learned something I never knew...... just purchased my first corvette....

[@kuyamike1]

Helpful tips for the new C7 owner. Thank you.

[@custommodelcars1722]

Thanks I just bought a 2014 stingray and love it. Can’t wait till summer to cruise St. Louis

[@heesgr]

Nice job! Very helpful tips!

[@Gonothing50]

Thanks I learned a lot about valet mode

[@Kazmonator]

Wow , ive had my Z06 since June 2015 and didn't know some of the stuff you put on there . Thanks .

[@frank23103]

I love that clock feature, thanks :)

[@Mark-xe1ty]

Excellent tips!!

[@mrfox2230]

Nice tips got same car u has and didn't knew these things

[@refsa01]

thx Ginger you're the best, hey the guy that sold me the corvette at the dealership just give me another one and I followed your instructions,it's fixed and looks great,thx again Ginger you're awesome #AFanAlways

[@Bad95killer]

Very helpful :) Thanks!

[@pappynesler1603]

Great tips!

[@jamesh.3528]

Nice video. Thank You!

[@refsa01]

thanks again Ginger, I am still working on the best looking way for the front install on the license plate.I broke the plastic dealer holder so tomorrow I gonna buy another set.but I have learned so much about the locking devices on my corvette,you're awesome #AFanAlways

[@thatcuteginger3017]

Fred Ayala sorry to hear about breaking the plastic piece. I would also try corvetteforum.com to see if anyone is selling their front plate holder. You can find them there cheaper. eBay is also an option.

[@davidhoward919]

Very helpful tips. Thanks for doing this, I appreciate it.

[@thatcuteginger3017]

Thank you, David! I appreciate the feedback.

[@Prahatech]

Thanks for sharing. Useful tips.

[@thatcuteginger3017]

Thank you! Glad to help!

[@corvetteman0714]

Awesome tips, had no idea...thanx.

[@thatcuteginger3017]

Vetteman Vettious no problem! Glad to help!

[@AmirA-bk2vh]

Thanks. I had no idea about the clock display. Very helpful.

[@bassb450]

Thats because that feature is no more. They did away with it sometime during the C7 run.

[@james-ww3ot]

Ginger, you forgot to mention that in valet mode if you want to make sure you see that the valet didn't take your car for a joy ride you need a sim card which is installed in the slot in the glove box.

[@nafiztube]

I don't have even have a corvette but only watching cuz of you lol

[@thatcuteginger3017]

Nafiz C ha ha, thanks!

[@JKerr-iy2jr]

Several new tips!

[@studio-flash]

Great tips n yes you are a cute ginger!...love the shorts..

[@allwheeler]

Just got mine!

[@rrisky18]

FYI when you take it out of valet mode, and the screen comes down that means that someone tried to open it when it was locked FYI

[@kubanskiloewe]

wow thx a lot...greetings from germany !

[@thatcuteginger3017]

Guten Tag!

[@kubanskiloewe]

hi, you do not really speak german, do you ?

[@thatcuteginger3017]

I never learned, no, but my dad is German. His dad immigrated to America in the 50s and my dad spent the first 7 or 8 years of his life in Germany. We have a lot of relatives still in Germany but I have not been over yet, though I would love to some day.

[@kubanskiloewe]

nice, i did´nt cross the ocean yet, too. Someday perhaps i will visit some of the northern states which are more like german countryside i think. Seems your location is pretty dry or desert like ? When i drove the C7 (only for 3 days) it was a wonderful time on the Autobahn; fast if you like to and depressing cruiser in 7th gear and 1700rpm. But with my 2m it was hard to get in and out ;-) My wife called me idiot until we changed seats ;-) Unfortunately chevy left europe and only a few OPEL dealers sell C7/Camaro/ATS/CTS only. C7 is expensive here! The EU version is Z51 only and cost min. 80000€ !! New camaro 2ss with most goodies about 50000€ which is a far better bargain, but man the C7 is a looker; especially here in germany were people are prude or snobish; i dont know how to explain that in the right form. Let´s say if you drive a C7 many people think you are a pimp or some blowhard (LEO transl. safes me ,haha)

[@thatcuteginger3017]

Yes, the Camaro is a far better bargain in that case! I did not know the Corvette was so much there, and now that the Camaro has the same engine, it makes sense to buy that. Yes, we have pretty dry weather in Colorado but we are also near the mountains, so it is very nice. Over 300 days a year of sun!

[@raydelfa1125]

thank you good looking!!!!

[@Malficion]

I've seen over 4 hours of reviews on the C7, no one ever mentioned the radio clock thing.

[@james-ww3ot]

That's true, this is the first time i've seen it.

[@bassb450]

I don't know what year they did away with that but my 2019 does not do it. When you push the button the flags come on the screen, not the clock.

[@AmirA-bk2vh]

@@bassb450 That is my experience with my 2019 as well. When I saw this video, I thought it was great, but mine didn't do it.

[@mcalisterhayes]

That clock thingy doesn’t work on my ‘17

[@calicars5227]

Nice, didn't know about the clock setting. I also heard while in valet mode it is suppose to automatically record if you have the PDR. When I took it to the dealer for an oil change and set the valet mode it didn't record anything. Maybe that got removed because of privacy issues? All they have to do is have the voice command say that this session is being recorded like when you call a telephone customer service department for "quality assurance".

[@thatcuteginger3017]

I agree, Cali. I think it should automatically record in valet mode as a default, and then if you don't want to you should have the option to turn it off. Not the other way around.

[@cmd_76]

Nice video Ginger. Will try it out on my new Z06 in a month's time :)

[@jessemondy9263]

Purchased a 2018 C7 Corvette Stingray with under 14,000 miles, for 54,000 in cash. The g force gauge is pretty fuckin sweet.

[@mjdart54]

If you use the diagnostic trick will it stay on if the key fob is not in the car, would be neat for car shows or after dark?

[@thatcuteginger3017]

mjdart54 i haven't tried that but it absolutely should! Great idea!

[@user-tg4se6op8n]

I love the attention to detail you put in your tutorials and general Corvette videos... but an automatic???? Nooooooooo!!!

[@thatcuteginger3017]

lol

[@user-tg4se6op8n]

Ok, so I have to ask, why no 7 speed? You clearly have an interest if not passion for cars, and it's rare to find someone with that trait who opts to not have more selective control over their gearing. What was it about the automatic that sold you over the manual?

[@thatcuteginger3017]

It's a common question. I was looking for a 7-speed but happened upon this 3LT optioned out 2014 that was less than a year old and was a substantial amount less than new. Substantial enough that a manual didn't even factor into the final equation and I would have been a fool not to scoop it up. While I can drive manual, it really doesn't matter that much to me. It's about the overall driving experience: acceleration, cornering, etc. Having a ton of car friends, manuals are also quickly turning into a thing of the past. You are hard pressed to find any of the exotics that are manual these days. I've never heard a single one of them complain about it! It's not as rare as you think, as there are more automatic C7s sold than manuals, and it is actually harder to find a used one with the options you want that is also manual. Most of the ones I found were 1LT with no options; bare bones Bottom line is that while manual is fun to drive, especially in smaller, agile cars (like MX5s), there isn't anything about the A6 in the C7 that makes me regret not having a manual.

[@user-tg4se6op8n]

I respect that. Call me old fashioned, but I'm holding out for a 7spd later this year (hopefully Z51 '14 or '15 w/ low miles). I know a computer will always be able to determine the best time to shift gears for the most torque/HP under load, or that I'll never be able to clutch in, shift, and let out as fast as an auto, but there's just something I love about down shifting and power sliding around a corner of my own accord. Glad you're enjoying your Vette so much, hopefully I'll find a good one in Colorado and join the club soon!

[@thatcuteginger3017]

You should be able to find what you're looking for pretty easily when the time comes. There are a lot of good, low mileage ones on the market. Good luck!

[@rwilliams101]

So, in valet mode I’ve read that the PDR is suppose to activate? Last time I used the valet mode, no video? Do you have any idea. ?

[@srskypuppy]

In case you don't have one: the PDR needs a sim card (in the glove box)

[@pc9706]

You can open the trunk with the key ,turn it three times and it will open

[@thatcuteginger3017]

P C yes! Also a good one. That's how you get in if the battery dies and the doors are locked.

[@pc9706]

What happened when u opened the trunk in Valet mode all power on dash would not start or power up for 25 min on a 2016 corvette

[@thatcuteginger3017]

P C I tried this in my 2014 and everything powered up fine immediately after. Opening the trunk in valet mode is really a moot point when you think about it. You can access anything you want in the back from the front anyway. There isn't a partition to prevent you from doing so. Anything of great value that I would be trying to keep safe would not be in the trunk.

[@pc9706]

what happens when you open the trunk in the valet mode with the key?

[@thatcuteginger3017]

P C great question. I just tried it out and you CAN open the trunk with the key in valet mode. Sounds like GM needs to fix that!

[@refsa01]

Ginger the corvette is a 2017 c7 stingray and it won't set the remote auto lock at all, I want the horn and light function when you walk away, please give me your advice thx #AFanAlways

[@thatcuteginger3017]

Fred Ayala I will take a quick video showing how to do that today and I will send you the link.

[@joerizoz1125]

I tried getting the clock on my 2016 c7 and it doesn't work when I hold in the radio button. What year is your car?

[@thatcuteginger3017]

2014. Strange that it wouldn't carry forward to future models.

[@tomjones4093]

Th'e screen dropped after you turned off Valet Mode because you pressed the screen button. If you had not pressed the screen button, the screen would not have dropped. Its just one way to tell if the valet tried to look in your hidden space.

[@thatcuteginger3017]

Tom Jones that's a good point. Thanks.

[@shahulhusman]

how do you get that RPM display in the center screen?

[@thatcuteginger3017]

Shahul, if it doesn't change with the selector knob, then you have to go into settings using the steering wheel controls and select track mode. It is the track mode display.

[@shahulhusman]

thanks, guess I'll try that.. I wasn't sure how to get into the ptm either..think it has to be in track and double tap the traction button? I have a 17 GS 1lt 7mt with z07.. should be there right? the z07 package has magnetic ride select. I have my 1st track day in this car in 2 weeks.. just got alignment done and oil and brake fluid upgraded..just broke 800 miles..need 1500! thanks

[@thatcuteginger3017]

How did your track day go? Yes, you press the traction control button twice within 2-3 seconds.

[@shahulhusman]

ThatCuteGinger kinda sucked.. 1st time I've ever seen one rained out.. after an hour they decided it was unsafe (pools of water). guess was for the best, have sport cup 2 tires. I did find the ptm finally. thanks for the tip!

[@thatcuteginger3017]

Shahul Usman hopefully you will get another chance soon! Sorry to hear it!

[@MEXCAL4MENU]

So my valet could get in it and rip my Vette a new ass in valet ode, correct?

[@heesgr]

+MEXCAL4MENU Yes he/she could! Only other tool available is the PDR that would record it all, but there is nothing in the valet mode setting that would prevent clownery.

[@james-ww3ot]

They could but if you have a sim card installed in the slot in the glove box then he will be recorded and can be fired for such an act.

[@Basketballerphx]

You can just click the time and that screen will show up instantly lol

[@thatcuteginger3017]

carstuff two completely different functions.... "lol." If you press the time the functionality of the screen stays and will return if you click anywhere. If you did it by pressing the power button it locks the screen so you can, for instance, clean the screen without hitting a bunch of other icons. Thanks though. Lol.

[@Basketballerphx]

y u mad tho

[@thatcuteginger3017]

carstuff not mad. Get a lot of trouble shooters. All good.

[@TheReapr]

Marry me lol We have the same car in same color lol

[@sockdolager3884]

Nice vid but put your pants on.

[@bnk747]

Looks good to me