2009 CHEVROLET CORVETTE brakes

TheAntilock Brake System (ABS) on page 4-5improves
vehicle stability during hard stops on a slippery roads, but
apply the brakes sooner than when on dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance on any slippery road
and watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can occur on
otherwise clear roads in shaded areas. The surface
of a curve or an overpass can remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped, on slippery surfaces.
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a serious situation. Stay
with the vehicle unless there is help nearby. If possible,
use theRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-7.
To get help and keep everyone in the vehicle safe:
Turn on theHazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the vehicle.
This may cause exhaust gases to get inside.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
Clear away snow from around the base of
your vehicle, especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe.
Check again from time to time to be sure
snow does not collect there.
Open a window about two inches (5 cm) on
the side of the vehicle that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air.
Fully open the air outlets on or under the
instrument panel.
Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting
that circulates the air inside the vehicle and
set the fan speed to the highest setting.
See Climate Control System in the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued)
4-20

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.........................5-5
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle......................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-6
Gasoline Octane............................................5-6
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-7
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-8
Filling the Tank..............................................5-9
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-12
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-13
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-20
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-26
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-28
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-30
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-31
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-31
Cooling System (Engine)................................5-32
Cooling System (Intercooler)...........................5-33Engine Coolant.............................................5-34
Engine Overheating.......................................5-39
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-41
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-42
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-43
Brakes........................................................5-44
Battery........................................................5-50
Jump Starting...............................................5-51
Rear Axle.......................................................5-55
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-56
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-56
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting............5-56
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-57
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps..........................................5-57
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-59
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-59
Windshield Replacement.................................5-60
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-60
Tires..............................................................5-62
Winter Tires.................................................5-63
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-64
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-66
Run-Flat Tires..............................................5-69
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Service
For service and parts needs, visit your dealer/retailer.
You will receive genuine GM parts and GM-trained and
supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:
Accessories and Modications
When non-dealer/non-retailer accessories are added
to the vehicle, they can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as airbags, braking, stability,
ride and handling, emissions systems, aerodynamics,
durability, and electronic systems like antilock brakes,
traction control, and stability control. Some of these
accessories could even cause malfunction or damage
not covered by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components resulting from the
installation or use of non-GM certied parts, including
control module modications, are not covered under the
terms of the vehicle warranty and may affect remaining
warranty coverage for affected parts.
5-3

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

Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master
cylinder reservoir is lled
with DOT-3 brake uid.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid level in
the reservoir might go down:
The brake uid level goes down because of normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are installed,
the uid level goes back up.
A uid leak in the brake hydraulic system can also
cause a low uid level. Have the brake hydraulic
system xed, since a leak means that sooner
or later the brakes will not work well.Do not top off the brake uid. Adding uid does not
correct a leak. If uid is added when the linings are worn,
there will be too much uid when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove brake uid, as necessary, only
when work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If too much brake uid is added, it can spill on
the engine and burn, if the engine is hot enough.
You or others could be burned, and the vehicle
could be damaged. Add brake uid only when
work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
See “Checking Brake Fluid” in this section.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to check the brake uid. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4.
5-44

Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake uid by looking at the brake uid reservoir.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14.
The uid level should be above the MIN mark on the
reservoir. If it is not, have the brake hydraulic 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
Use only new DOT-3 brake uid from a sealed
container. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-12.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This helps keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in the brake hydraulic
system, the brakes might not work well. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in
the brake hydraulic system can damage brake
hydraulic system parts so badly that they will
have to be replaced. Do not let someone put in
the wrong kind of uid.
If brake uid is spilled on the vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake uid on the vehicle.
If you do, wash it off immediately. SeeWashing
Your Vehicle on page 5-95.
5-45