2007 CHEVROLET CORVETTE check oil

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.
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A. Engine Oil Drain Plug
B. Seal
1. Remove the two engine oil drain plugs
from the bottom of the engine oil pan.
One drain plug drains the external oil tank
via the oil transfer supply line. The other
drain plug drains residual oil from the
crankcase sump. Allow the oil to drain.2. Once the oil has been drained from the
engine, remove the engine oil lter and
allow the oil to drain.
3. Re-install both drain plugs and tighten them
to 18 lb ft (25
Y).
4. Replace the oil lter and tighten it to
18 lb ft (25
Y). SeeNormal Maintenance
Replacement Parts on page 445for the
correct lter.
5. Oil is lled through the opening in the top
of the external engine oil tank. Remove the
oil ll cap.
6. Add eight quarts (7.6 L) of oil to the oil tank.
SeeCapacities and Specications on
page 426.
7. Install the oil ll cap and insert the dipstick,
if removed.
8. Start the engine and let it run at idle for at
least 15 seconds. This will circulate the
fresh engine oil through the lubrication system.
9. Shut off the engine and check the oil level
as described under “Checking Engine Oil
(Z06 Only).”
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When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change
is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL message
will come on. Change your oil as soon as possible
within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is
possible that, if you are driving under the best
conditions, the oil life system may not indicate
that an oil change is necessary for over a
year. However, your engine oil and lter must
be changed at least once a year and at this
time the system must be reset. Your dealer
has GM-trained service people who will perform
this work using genuine GM parts and reset
the system. It is also important to check your
oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you
must change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
since your last oil change. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is changed.How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to
change your engine oil and lter based on vehicle
use. Anytime your oil is changed, reset the
system so it can calculate when the next oil
change is required. If a situation occurs where
you change your oil prior to a CHANGE ENGINE
OIL message being turned on, reset the system.
To reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message
after an oil change, do the following:
1. Press the TRIP button so the OIL LIFE
percentage is displayed.
2. Press RESET and hold for two seconds.
OIL LIFE REMAINING 100% will appear.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message comes
back on when you start your vehicle, the engine
oil life system has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
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What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water
and one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will
not damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant
mixture, you do not need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water,
or some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system
is set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Notice:If you use an improper coolant
mixture, your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost would not be
covered by your warranty. Too much water
in the mixture can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times
a year, have your dealer check your cooling
system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or
additives in your vehicle’s cooling system,
you could damage your vehicle. Use only
the proper mixture of the engine coolant
listed in this manual for the cooling system.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 443for more information.
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If you no longer have the overheat warning,
you can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for
about 10 minutes. If the warning does not
come back on, you can drive normally.
If the warning continues and you are not
stopped, pull over, stop, and park your vehicle
right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, you can idle the
engine for three minutes while you are parked.
If you still have the warning, turn off the engine
and get everyone out of the vehicle until it
cools down. Also, see “Overheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode” later in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get
service help right away.Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
If an overheated engine condition exists and the
messages COOLANT OVER TEMPERATURE
and REDUCED ENGINE POWER are displayed,
along with the Check Engine light, an overheat
protection mode which alternates ring groups of
cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In
this mode, you will notice a loss in power and
engine performance. This operating mode allows
your vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an
emergency; you may drive up to 50 miles (80 km).
Notice:After driving in the overheated
engine protection operating mode, to avoid
engine damage, allow the engine to cool before
attempting any repair. The engine oil will be
severely degraded. Repair the cause of coolant
loss, change the oil and reset the oil life
system. SeeEngine Oil on page 333.
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Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake uid without taking
off the cap. Look at the brake uid reservoir.
The uid level should be above the MIN mark on
the reservoir. If it is not, have the brake system
checked to see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the level is between the MIN and
MAX marks.
What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3
brake uid. Refer toRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 443. Use new brake
uid from a sealed container only.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and
the area around the cap before removing it. This
will help keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in the brake
system, the brakes may not work well.
This could cause a crash. Always use the
proper brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a
few drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine oil, in the brake system can
damage brake system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint nish can
be damaged. Be careful not to spill brake
uid on your vehicle. If you do, wash it
off immediately. SeeWashing Your Vehicle
on page 411.
362

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level
and change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The
Plan supplements your new vehicle warranties.
See your Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet
or your dealer for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals, checks,
inspections, replacement parts, and
recommended uids and lubricants as
prescribed in this manual are necessary to
keep your vehicle in good working condition.
Any damage caused by failure to follow
scheduled maintenance might not be covered
by warranty.
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If you want to purchase service information, see
Service Publications Ordering Information on
page 468.
Owner Checks and Services on page 438tells you
what should be checked, when to check it, and
what you can easily do to help keep your vehicle in
good condition.
The proper replacement parts, uids, and
lubricants to use are listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 443andNormal
Maintenance Replacement Parts on page 445.
When your vehicle is serviced, make sure these
are used. All parts should be replaced and all
necessary repairs done before you or anyone else
drives the vehicle. We recommend the use of
genuine GM parts.Scheduled Maintenance
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message comes
on, it means that service is required for your
vehicle. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as
possible within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is
possible that, if you are driving under the best
conditions, the engine oil life system may
not indicate that vehicle service is necessary for
over a year. However, your engine oil and
lter must be changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be reset. Your
dealer/retailer has trained service technicians who
will perform this work using genuine parts and
reset the system.
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