2009 CHEVROLET CORVETTE oil dipstick

Racing or Other Competitive Driving
Racing or competitive driving may affect the vehicle
warranty. See the warranty book before using the
vehicle for racing or other competitive driving.
Notice:If you use the 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 5-20.
Z06 and ZR1 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 and ZR1: 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.Z06 and ZR1 Only: For racing or competitive driving,
it is recommended that the brake uid be replaced with a
high performance brake uid that has a dry boiling point
greater than 534°F (279°C). After conversion to the high
performance brake uid, follow the brake uid service
recommendations outlined by the uid manufacturer.
Do not use silicone or DOT-5 brake uids.
If the vehicle is a ZO6 or ZR1 model or has the Z51
performance package, it has 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 6-4and
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
If using 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 7-15.
If the vehicle is used for racing or other competitive
driving, the rear axle uid temperatures may be higher
than would occur in normal driving. We recommend
that the rear axle uid be drained and relled with new
uid after every 24 hours of racing or competitive
driving. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12for what uid to use.
4-15

A. Clutch Master Cylinder Reservoir (If Equipped).
SeeHydraulic Clutch on page 5-31.
B. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-43.
C. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-44.
D. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-34.
E.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-28.F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-42.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-20.
H. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-20.
I.Engine Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-106.
J. Passenger Compartment Air Filter (Out of View).
SeePassenger Compartment Air Filter on page 3-30.
K.Battery on page 5-50.
5-15

A. Intercooler. SeeCooling System (Engine) on
page 5-32orCooling System (Intercooler) on
page 5-33.
B.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-28.
C. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir and Cap.
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 5-42.
D. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-34.
E. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-43.
F. Clutch Master Cylinder Reservoir (If Equipped).
SeeHydraulic Clutch on page 5-31.G. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-44.
H. Passenger Compartment Air Filter (Out of View).
SeePassenger Compartment Air Filter on page 3-30.
I. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-20.
J. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-20.
K. Remote Positive (+) Terminal (Out of View).
SeeJump Starting on page 5-51.
L.Engine Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-106.
5-17

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-28.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-42.
C.Engine Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-106.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal (Out of View).
SeeJump Starting on page 5-51.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-20.
F. Dry Sump Engine Oil Tank. See “Changing Engine
Oil and Filter (Z06 Only)”Engine Oil on page 5-20.G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-20.
H. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-34.
I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-43.
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-44.
K. Clutch Master Cylinder Reservoir. SeeHydraulic
Clutch on page 5-31.
5-19

Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
(Except ZO6 and ZR1)
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL message displays on the
Driver Information Center (DIC), check the engine oil
level right away. For more information, seeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-49. 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.
When to Add Engine Oil
(Except ZO6 and ZR1)
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, seeCapacities and
Specifications on page 5-110.
SeeRacing or Other Competitive Driving on page 4-15
for additional information on engine oil.
5-20

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 5-14
for the location of the
engine oil ll cap.
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.Checking Engine Oil (ZO6 and ZR1)
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.
5-21

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 5-14
for the location of the dry sump engine oil tank.
These vehicles 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.
5-22

When to Add Engine Oil (ZO6 and ZR1)
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 5-110.
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.
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.
Changing Engine Oil and Filter
(ZO6 and ZR1)
These vehicles 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.
5-23