2009 CHEVROLET CORVETTE engine oil

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.
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A. Engine Oil Drain Plugs
B. Seals
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 (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 10.5 quarts (9.9 L) of oil to the oil tank.
SeeCapacities and Specifications on page 5-110.
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
(ZO6 and ZR1).” ZO6 Shown, ZR1 Similar
5-24

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for three things:
GM4718M
This vehicle’s engine requires a special oil meeting
GM Standard GM4718M. Oils meeting this standard
may be identied as synthetic. However, not all
synthetic oils will meet this GM standard. Use only
an oil that meets GM Standard GM4718M.
Notice:Using oils that do not have the GM4718M
Standard designation can cause engine damage not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
SAE 5W-30
SAE 5W-30 is best for the vehicle. These numbers
on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils such as SAE 20W-50.
American Petroleum Institute (API) starburst
symbol
Oils meeting these
requirements should have
the starburst symbol on
the container. This symbol
indicates that the oil has
been certied by the
American Petroleum
Institute (API).
This vehicle’s engine was lled at the factory with a
Mobil 1
®synthetic oil meeting all requirements for this
vehicle.
Substitute Engine Oil: When adding oil to maintain
engine oil level, oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M
might not be available. You can add substitute oil
designated SAE 5W-30 with the starburst symbol at all
temperatures. Substitute oil not meeting GM Standard
GM4718M should not be used for an oil change.
5-25

Engine Oil Additives / Engine Oil
Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM4718M are all that is needed for good performance
and engine protection.
Engine oil system ushes are not recommended and
could cause engine damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer that indicates when to
change the engine oil and lter. This is based on engine
revolutions and engine temperature, and not on mileage.
Based on driving conditions, the mileage at which an oil
change is indicated can vary considerably. For the oil life
system to work properly, the system must be reset every
time the oil is changed.Z06 and ZR1 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. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-20.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it indicates that an oil change is necessary.
A CHANGE ENGINE OIL message comes on. Change
the oil as soon as possible within the next 600 miles
(1 000 km). It is possible that, if driving under the best
conditions, the oil life system might not indicate that an oil
change is necessary for over a year. However, the 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 people who will perform this work
using genuine parts and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly and keep it at the
proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since the last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.
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How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
the engine oil and lter based on vehicle use. Whenever
the oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required. If a situation occurs
where the oil is changed prior to a CHANGE ENGINE OIL
message being turned on, reset the system.
To reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL message after an
oil change:
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 the vehicle is started, the engine oil life system
has not reset. Repeat the procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that can be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good hand
cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Recycle it by taking it to a
place that collects used oil.
5-27

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the engine air cleaner/lter.
Notice:If you spray water into the engine air
cleaner/lter intake and water enters the engine
air cleaner/lter housing, you could damage your
vehicle’s engine. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Do not spray water into the
engine air cleaner/lter intake and/or housing.
If you are cleaning the vehicle with the hood open, take
care not to spray water directly near the lter opening
of the air cleaner, as shown in the illustration, as
this could damage the vehicle’s engine.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace them at the rst oil change after
each 50,000 mile (80 000 km) interval. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4for more information. If you are
driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the lter at each
engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter, remove the lter from
the vehicle and lightly shake the lter to release loose
dust and dirt. If the lter remains caked with dirt, a new
lter is required.
To inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter:
6.2 L LS3 Engine
5-28

What to Use
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to the cooling system can
be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant
mixture will. The vehicle’s coolant warning system
is set for the proper coolant mixture. With plain
water or the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but would not get the overheat warning.
The engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant. If using this mixture, nothing
else needs to be added. This mixture:
Gives freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C),
outside temperature.
Gives boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C),
engine temperature.
Protects against rust and corrosion.
Will not damage aluminum parts.
Helps keep the proper engine temperature.
Notice:If an improper coolant mixture is used,
the engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core, and other
parts.
Notice:If extra inhibitors and/or additives are used
in the vehicle’s cooling system, the vehicle could
be damaged. Use only the proper mixture of
the engine coolant listed in this manual for the
cooling system. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12for more information.
5-35

Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant surge
tank. If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling,
do not do anything else until it cools down. If coolant
is visible but the coolant level is not at or above the
FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL coolant at the coolant
recovery tank, but be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-34
for more information.
The engine coolant
surge tank is located
toward the rear of the
engine compartment on
the driver side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-14for more
information on location.When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the FULL COLD mark on the coolant surge tank.
When the engine is hot, the level could be higher
than the FULL COLD line. If the coolant is below the
FULL COLD line when the engine is hot, there could
be a leak in the cooling system.
If the coolant is low, add the coolant or take the vehicle
to a dealer/retailer for service.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough.
Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
5-36