2008 CHEVROLET CORVETTE check engine

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle......................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-8
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-11
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-13
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-17
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-23
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-25
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-27
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-27
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-27
Engine Coolant.............................................5-28
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-31Engine Overheating.......................................5-31
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-33
Cooling System............................................5-34
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-39
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-41
Brakes........................................................5-42
Battery........................................................5-45
Jump Starting...............................................5-46
Rear Axle.......................................................5-51
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-51
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-52
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting............5-52
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-52
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps..........................................5-53
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-54
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-55
Windshield Replacement.................................5-55
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-55
Tires..............................................................5-58
Winter Tires.................................................5-59
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-60
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-62
Run-Flat Tires..............................................5-64
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting
to do your own service work, seeServicing Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-56.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service work you
perform. SeeMaintenance Record on page 6-16.
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
the Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airow around it. This can cause wind noise
and can affect fuel economy and windshield washer
performance. Check with your dealer/retailer before
adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part of
the proper maintenance of your vehicle. To help
keep the engine clean and maintain optimum vehicle
performance, we recommend the use of gasoline
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.The 8th digit of the Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
shows the code letter or number that identies your
vehicle’s engine. The VIN is at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle Identification Number
(VIN) on page 5-98.
Gasoline Octane
If your vehicle has the 6.2L V8 engine (VIN Code W),
use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 91 or higher. You can also use regular
unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but
your vehicle’s acceleration could be slightly reduced,
and you might notice a slight audible knocking
noise, commonly referred to as spark knock. If the
octane is less than 87, you might notice a heavy
knocking noise when you drive. If this occurs, use a
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as
possible. Otherwise, you could damage the engine.
If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher
and you hear heavy knocking, the engine needs service.
5-5

If your vehicle has the 7.0L V8 engine (VIN Code E),
use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 91 or higher. For best performance, use
premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 93. In an emergency, you can use regular
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 or higher.
If 87 octane fuel is used, do not perform any aggressive
driving maneuvers such as wide open throttle
applications. You might also hear audible spark knock
during acceleration. Rell the tank with premium fuel
as soon as possible to avoid damaging the engine.
If you are using gasoline rated at 91 octane or higher
and you hear heavy knocking, the engine needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specication
D 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 or
3.511 in Canada. Some gasolines contain an
octane-enhancing additive called methylcyclopentadienyl
manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend
against the use of gasolines containing MMT.
SeeAdditives on page 5-7for additional information.
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specications. See the underhood
emission control label. If this fuel is not available
in states adopting California emissions standards, your
vehicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting
federal specications, but emission control system
performance might be affected. The malfunction
indicator lamp could turn on and your vehicle might fail
a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 3-45. If this occurs, return to your authorized
dealer/retailer for diagnosis. If it is determined that
the condition is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs
might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
5-6

Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel might be hard
to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
Filling the Tank
{CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel re can
cause bad injuries. To help avoid injuries to
you and others, read and follow all the
instructions on the pump island. Turn off your
engine when you are refueling. Do not smoke
if you are near fuel or refueling your vehicle.
Do not use cellular phones. Keep sparks,
ames, and smoking materials away from fuel.
Do not leave the fuel pump unattended when
refueling your vehicle. This is against the law
in some places. Do not re-enter the vehicle
while pumping fuel. Keep children away from
the fuel pump; never let children pump fuel.
5-8

Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts
and start a re. These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brake uid, windshield washer and
other uids, and plastic or rubber. You or
others could be burned. Be careful not to drop
or spill things that will burn onto a hot engine.
5-12

A. Clutch Master Cylinder Reservoir (If Equipped).
SeeHydraulic Clutch on page 5-27.
B. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-41.
C. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-42.
D. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-28.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filters. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-39.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
I. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-104.
J. Passenger Compartment Air Filter (Out of View).
SeePassenger Compartment Air Filter on page 3-32.
K. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-45.
5-15

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-39.
C. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-104.
D. Remote Positive Terminal (Out of View). SeeBattery
on page 5-45.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
F. Dry Sump Engine Oil Tank. See “Changing Engine
Oil and Filter (Z06 Only)”Engine Oil on page 5-17.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
H. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-28.
I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-41.
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-42.
K. Clutch Master Cylinder Reservoir. SeeHydraulic
Clutch on page 5-27.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil (Except Z06)
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL message on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) comes on, check the engine
oil level right away. For more information, seeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-51. You should
check the engine oil level regularly; this is an added
reminder.
It is a good idea to check the 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 5-14
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.
3. Remove the dipstick again, keeping the tip down
and read the level on the cross-hatched area. Oil
levels that fall in the cross-hatched area are normal.
4. Push the dipstick back in all the way.
5-17

Checking Engine Oil (Z06 Only)
A. Engine Oil Dipstick
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap
It is a good idea to check the 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. The
dipstick is located on the dry sump engine oil tank. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for 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.
5-19