2008 CHEVROLET CORVETTE oil dipstick

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, seeEngine Oil on page 5-17.
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/retailer 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 7-17.
4-15

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

When to Add Engine Oil (Except Z06)
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip of
the dipstick, add at least one quart/liter of the
recommended oil. This section explains what kind
of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications on page 5-107.
SeeRacing or Other Competitive Driving on page 4-15
for additional information on engine oil.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating
range, the engine could be damaged.SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the
engine oil ll cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the
way back in when you are through.
5-18

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.
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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.
When to Add Engine Oil (Z06 Only)
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the tip
of the dipstick, add at least one quart/liter of the
recommended oil through the oil ll cap opening in the
oil tank. This section explains what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase capacity, seeCapacities
and Specifications on page 5-107.SeeRacing or Other Competitive Driving on page 4-15
for additional information on engine oil.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper operating
range, the engine could be damaged.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the
external engine oil tank
and ll cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the
way back into the oil tank when you are through.
5-20

Changing Engine Oil and Filter
(Z06 Only)
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 changing
the engine oil and lter. Follow this procedure closely
when changing the engine oil and lter.
A. Engine Oil Drain Plugs
B. Seals1. 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 (25Y).
4. Replace the oil lter and tighten it to 18 lb ft
(25Y). SeeMaintenance Replacement Parts on
page 6-14for 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. See
Capacities and Specifications on page 5-107.
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).”
5-21