2006 CHEVROLET CORVETTE oil level

Manual Paddle Shift Gear Indicator (If Equipped)
These lights on the HUD are for use when using
the manual paddle shift controls to shift the
transmission. See “Manual Paddle Shift” in
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-26.
Shift Light
This light is used for performance driving to indicate
that the vehicle’s best performance level has been
reached to shift the transmission into the next higher
gear. An arrow pointing up will light up on the display
just prior to reaching the engine fuel cut-off mode.
This cut-off is about 6,500 RPM for the LS2 engine
and 7,000 RPM for the LS7 engine.
Check Gages Warning
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
Transmission Fluid Temperature Gage,
(Automatic Transmission Vehicles Only)
Engine Oil Temperature Gage
Engine Oil Pressure Gage
G-Force Gage
Audio Functions, Street Mode Only
Navigation, Only with Navigation Radio, Street
Mode OnlyThere are three HUD modes that you can choose to view
in the HUD display. By pressing the MODE button, you
can scroll through these modes in the following order:
Street Mode supports
audio and navigation
functions with your choice
of tachometer settings.
Track Mode 1 supports the
G-Force gage and minor
gages with a circular
tachometer.
3-21

BUCKLE SEATBELT:This message reminds you to
buckle the driver’s seat belt.
This message will display and a chime will sound when
the ignition is on, the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled,
and the vehicle is in motion. You should buckle
your seat belt.
If the driver remains unbuckled when the ignition is
on and the vehicle is in motion, the reminder will
be repeated. If the driver’s seat belt is already buckled,
this message and chime will not come on.
This message is an additional reminder to the Safety
Belt Reminder Light in the instrument panel cluster.
SeeSafety Belt Reminder Light on page 3-34for more
information.
CHANGE ENGINE OIL:This message will appear when
the life of the engine oil has expired. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4. After an oil change, the engine
oil life system must be reset. See “Engine Oil Life” under
DIC Controls and Displays on page 3-48. Also, see
Engine Oil on page 5-16andEngine Oil Life System on
page 5-23for more information.
CHECK BRAKE FLUID:This message will appear, a
chime will sound, and the brake system warning light on
the instrument panel cluster will be on if the ignition is
on to inform the driver that the brake uid level is
low. SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-38.
Have the brake system serviced by your GM dealer as
soon as possible. SeeBrakes on page 5-42.CHECK COOLANT LEVEL:This message will appear
when there is a low level of engine coolant. Have
the cooling system serviced by your GM dealer as soon
as possible. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-29.
CHECK GAS CAP:If the gas cap has not been fully
tightened, this message will appear. You should
check your gas cap to ensure that it is on properly.
Once tightened, it will take at least one overnight park
to reset or clear this message. If there is a CHECK GAS
CAP message and a malfunction indicator lamp on in
the instrument panel cluster, you may need to see your
GM dealer for service. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 3-42for more information.
CHECK OIL LEVEL:Press the RESET button to
acknowledge that you have read the message and to
remove it from the display. The message will reappear
every 10 minutes until this condition changes. Once
the vehicle senses a change in the engine oil level, the
light will remain off.
You will hear two chimes when this message is
displayed. If this message appears after starting your
engine, your engine oil level may be too low. You
may need to add oil. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-32.
3-55

ENGINE PROTECTION REDUCE ENGINE RPM:
You will hear multiple chimes when this message is
displayed. This message will remain displayed and
active until the issue is resolved.
If the engine oil temperature exceeds 320°F (160°C),
this message is displayed. You should check the engine
coolant temperature and engine oil level. If your engine is
too hot, seeEngine Overheating on page 5-32. Your
vehicle may need service, so see your GM dealer. You
can monitor the oil temperature with the gages button
on the DIC.
HEADLAMPS SUGGESTED:If it is dark enough outside
and the headlamps and Twilight Sentinel
®controls are
off, this message will display. This message informs the
driver that turning on the exterior lamps is recommended.
It has become dark enough outside to require the
headlamps and/or other exterior lamps.
HIGH TIRE PRESSURE:To acknowledge the warning,
press the RESET button. After you press the RESET
button, a message will reappear every 10 minutes
until this condition changes. This message indicates
that the pressure in one of your tires is higher than
42 psi (290 kPa). Next to the HIGH TIRE PRESSURE
message, you can see either LEFT FRONT, RIGHT
FRONT, LEFT REAR, or RIGHT REAR to indicate to
you which tire is higher than 42 psi (290 kPa).You can receive more than one tire pressure message
at a time. To read other messages that may have
been sent at the same time, press the RESET button.
If a tire pressure message appears on the DIC, stop
as soon as you can. Have the tire pressures checked
and set to those shown on your Tire Loading Information
Label. SeeExtended Mobility Tires on page 5-62and
Ination - Tire Pressure on page 5-64.
HOT ENGINE AIR CONDITIONING OFF:This message
displays when the engine coolant becomes hotter than
the normal operating temperature. To avoid added strain
on a hot engine, the air conditioning compressor is
automatically turned off. When the coolant temperature
returns to normal, the A/C operation will automatically
resume. You can continue to drive your vehicle. If this
message continues to appear, have the system repaired
by your GM dealer as soon as possible to avoid
compressor damage.
ICE POSSIBLE:This message displays when the
outside air temperature is cold enough to create icy road
conditions.
LOW FUEL:This message displays when the fuel tank
is less than 10 percent full and the display is turned
off. A multiple chime will also sound when this message
is displayed. SeeFuel Gage on page 3-47.
3-57

Radio Reception
You may experience frequency interference and static
during normal radio reception if items such as cellphone
chargers, vehicle convenience accessories, and
external electronic devices are plugged into the
accessory power outlet. If there is interference or static,
unplug the item from the accessory power outlet.
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range can cause
station frequencies to interfere with each other. For
better radio reception, most AM radio stations will boost
the power levels during the day, and then reduce
these levels during the night. Static can also occur when
things like storms and power lines interfere with radio
reception. When this happens, try reducing the treble on
your radio.
FM Stereo
FM stereo will give the best sound, but FM signals will
reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall
buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing
the sound to fade in and out.
XM™ Satellite Radio Service
XM™ Satellite Radio Service gives digital radio
reception from coast-to-coast in the 48 contiguous
United States, and in Canada (if available). Just as with
FM, tall buildings or hills can interfere with satellite
radio signals, causing the sound to fade in and out.
In addition, traveling or standing under heavy foliage,
bridges, garages, or tunnels may cause loss of the XM™
signal for a period of time. The radio may display NO
SIGNAL to indicate interference.
Care of Your CDs
Handle CDs carefully. Store them in their original
cases or other protective cases and away from direct
sunlight and dust. The CD player scans the bottom
surface of the disc. If the surface of a CD is damaged,
such as cracked, broken, or scratched, the CD will
not play properly or not at all. If the surface of a CD is
soiled, take a soft, lint free cloth or dampen a clean, soft
cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution mixed with
water, and clean it. Make sure the wiping process starts
from the center to the edge.
Do not touch the bottom side of a CD while handling
it; this could damage the surface. Pick up CDs by
grasping the outer edges or the edge of the hole and
the outer edge.
3-100

Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you
will want to slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and
vehicle control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or
braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to
a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires
to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until
your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow on
the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
Racing or Other Competitive Driving
See your warranty book before using your vehicle for
racing or other competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for racing or other
competitive driving, the engine may use more oil than
it would with normal use. Low oil levels can damage
the engine. For information on how to add oil, see
Engine Oil on page 5-16.Z06 Only: Be sure to check the oil level often during
racing or other competitive driving and keep the
level at or near the upper mark that shows the
proper operating range on the engine oil dipstick.
Except Z06: Be sure to check the oil level often
during racing or other competitive driving and keep
the level at or near 1 quart (1 L) above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range on the
engine oil dipstick. After the competitive driving,
remove excess oil so that the level on the dipstick is
not above the upper mark that shows the proper
operating range.
Vehicles with the Z51 performance package have
greaseable outer ends on both of the rear toe-links.
Under normal use, lubrication should be performed as
described in the maintenance schedule. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4andRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-12. If you use the vehicle for
racing, lubrication should be performed at the end of
each racing day. See your dealer for lubrication
and make sure any needed repairs are made at once.
Proper procedures for performing these services can be
found in the service manual. SeeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-14.
4-18

Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as highway hypnosis?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on
the road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of
the wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy.
Do not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle
can leave the road in less than a second, and you could
crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service, or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
4-25

Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil (Except Z06)
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL message on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) comes on, it means you need
to check your engine oil level right away. For more
information, seeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-48. You should check your engine oil level
regularly; this is an added reminder.
It is a good idea to check your engine oil level every
time you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be on
level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a lint-free
paper towel or a cloth, then push it back in all
the way. Remove it again, keeping the tip down.
Checking Engine Oil (Z06 Only)
A. Engine Oil Dipstick
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap
It is a good idea to check your engine oil level every
time you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be on
level ground.
5-16

The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
The dipstick is located on the dry sump engine oil tank.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for the location of the dry sump engine oil tank.
Z06 models have a racetrack-ready dry sump engine
lubrication system. This high-performance system
operates differently than a standard engine lubrication
system and requires a special procedure when checking
the engine oil level. Follow this procedure closely when
checking the engine oil level.
The engine oil level must be checked when the engine is
warm. Cold oil level in the dry sump tank may not indicate
the actual amount of oil in the system. With this system,
engine oil is contained in an external tank, separate from
the engine. Under normal operating conditions, the oil
pan under the engine does not store any oil. If the vehicle
has been parked for an extended period without the
engine being started, some oil will seep back into the oil
pan, reducing the amount of oil held in the dry sump tank
and there could be no engine oil at all showing on the
dipstick. This is normal since the dipstick is designed to
read engine oil level only after the engine has run long
enough to reach normal operating temperature.Do not add engine oil based on cold engine dipstick
readings. The engine oil level on the dipstick will also be
inaccurate if checked while the engine is running.
1. To obtain an accurate engine oil level reading,
warm up the engine to at least 175°F (80°C).
Cold oil will not give a correct oil level reading.
2. Once the engine is warm, turn off the engine.
Checking the oil while the engine is running
will result in an incorrect oil level reading.
3. Wait at least ve minutes (but not more than
20 minutes) to allow oil to drain and settle in
the engine.
4. Remove the dipstick from the external engine oil
tank and clean it with a lint-free paper towel or a
cloth. Re-insert the dipstick into the external oil tank,
pushing it all the way in until it stops.
5. Remove the dipstick from the oil tank and read the
level on the cross-hatched area. Oil levels that fall
in the cross-hatched area are normal.
5-17