2009 CHEVROLET CORVETTE service

4. Inspect or replace the lter. SeeMaintenance
Replacement Parts on page 6-14.
5. Reverse Steps 1 and 3 to replace the air
cleaner/lter cover.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps to stop
ames if the engine backres. If it is not there and
the engine backres, you could be burned. Do not
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre
can cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can
easily get into the engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/lter in place when
you are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transmission uid level.
A transmission uid leak is the only reason for uid loss.
If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to your dealer/retailer
service department and have it repaired as soon as
possible.
There is a special procedure for checking and changing
the transmission uid. Because this procedure is difficult,
you should have this done at your dealer/retailer service
department. Contact your dealer/retailer for additional
information or the procedure can be found in the service
manual. To purchase a service manual, seeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 7-15.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
uid may damage the vehicle, and the damages may
not be covered by the vehicle’s warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 6-6, and be
sure to use the uid listed inRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-12.
5-30

Manual Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the manual transmission
uid level. A transmission uid leak is the only reason
for uid loss. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to your
dealer/retailer service department and have it repaired
as soon as possible. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12for the proper uid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
It is not necessary to regularly check clutch uid unless
you suspect there is a leak in the system. Adding
uid will not correct a leak. A uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
When to Check and What to Use
The hydraulic clutch uid
reservoir cap has this
symbol on it. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-14for reservoir
location.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule for the proper uid
to use. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12. The uid requires changing every two years.
SeeAdditional Required Services on page 6-6.
How to Check and Add Fluid
Visually check the clutch uid reservoir to make sure
the uid level is at the MIN (minimum) line on the side of
the reservoir. The hydraulic clutch uid system should
be closed and sealed.
Do not remove the cap to check the uid level or
to top-off the uid level. Remove the cap only when
necessary to add the proper uid until the level reaches
the MIN line.
5-31

CAUTION: (Continued)
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine re, and you could be burned.
Get any leak xed before you drive the vehicle.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®can
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant could
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant
in the vehicle.
Cooling System (Intercooler)
The 6.2L LS9 supercharged V8 engine has an
intercooler cooling system. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14for location of the intercooler.
The intercooler cooling system has a special procedure
for draining and adding coolant. Because this procedure
is difficult, see your dealer/retailer for service if the
intercooler is low on coolant. The procedure can also
be found in the service manual. To purchase a service
manual, seeService Publications Ordering Information
on page 7-15.
5-33

Checking Coolant
1. Verify that the engine and intercooler are no
longer hot.
2. Place a cloth to absorb possible coolant loss under
the driver’s side bleeder valve (A).3. Loosen, but do not completely unscrew the bleeder
valve to check for coolant in the system.
4. Tighten the bleeder valve if there is coolant owing
out of the bleeder valve.
5. If there is no coolant owing out of the bleeder
valve, there could be a leak in the system.
Tighten the bleeder valve and contact your
dealer/retailer for service.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in the vehicle for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst.
The following explains the cooling system and how to
check and add coolant when it is low. If there is a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-39.
5-34

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

5. Replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure
cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
Check the level in the surge tank when the system
has cooled down. If the coolant is not at the proper
level, repeat Steps 1 through 4, then reinstall the
pressure cap. If the coolant is not at the proper
level when the system cools down again, see your
dealer/retailer.
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly
secured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators to warn of engine
overheating.
There is an engine coolant temperature gage on
the instrument panel cluster. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-41. The vehicle may
also display a COOLANT OVER TEMPERATURE
message on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-54
for more information.You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away. SeeRoadside Assistance Program
on page 7-7.
If you do decide to lift the hood, make sure the vehicle
is parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine cooling fan is running.
If the engine is overheating, the fan should be running.
If it is not, do not continue to run the engine and have the
vehicle serviced.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
on page 5-41for information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
Notice:If the engine catches re while driving
with no coolant, the vehicle can be badly damaged.
The costly repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 5-41for information on
driving to a safe place in an emergency.
5-39

Brake Wear (Except ZR1)
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc brake pads have
built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning
sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads
are needed. The sound can come and go or be heard
all the time the vehicle is moving, except when applying
the brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
the brakes will not work well. That could lead to an
accident. When the brake wear warning sound is
heard, have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly applied.
This does not mean something is wrong with the brakes.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Wear (ZR1 Only)
The ZR1 model does not have built-in brake pad wear
indicators and periodic visual inspection of the brake pads
is required to determine when to replace the brake pads.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Make sure that the brakes have been given
sufficient time to cool and then set the park brake.
Brake pads can be visually inspected through the
wheel by inspecting the outer brake pads at each
wheel.
Brake pads should be replaced when worn to
two mm of pad thickness. New pads are 10 mm thick.
In addition, brake pad inspection is required any time
the tires are removed.Front
Rear
5-46

The ZR1 also has an electronic brake pad wear sensor
system. When pads are worn, the CHANGE BRAKE
PADS message displays in the Driver Information Center.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-54.Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly applied.
This does not mean something is wrong with the brakes.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Rotor Wear
ZR1 models have ceramic brake rotors. Rotors should
be visually inspected whenever the brake pads are
replaced. Rotors also need to be weighed before brake
pads are replaced to conrm that the rotor mass is
greater than the wear-out mass printed on the rotor.
The rotor can be reused if the weight of the rotor is above
the mass limit. Rotor inspection and weighing methods
can be found in the service manual. SeeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 7-15.
5-47