COOLANT OVER TEMPERATURE
This message displays and a sound will be heard if the
engine coolant exceeds 124°C (255°F). If you have
been operating the vehicle under normal driving
conditions, pull off the road, stop the vehicle, and
turn off the engine as soon as possible.
You can monitor the coolant temperature with the
gauges button on the DIC or the engine coolant
temperature gauge on the instrument panel cluster.
See Engine Overheating
on page 6‑38,DIC Operation
and Displayson page 4‑47, and Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge on page 4‑40.
To acknowledge the message, press the RESET button.
The message and sound will come back on until this
condition changes. If you do not press the RESET
button, the message remains on until the condition
changes.
CRUISE DISENGAGED
This message displays briefly when you disengage
the cruise control system by stepping on the brake on
an automatic transmission vehicle or the clutch on a
manual transmission vehicle, or by turning off the cruise
control switch. See Cruise Control
on page 4‑7for
more information.
ENGINE DRAG CONTROL ACTIVE
This message displays when engine drag control is
active. When driving in a lower gear in rainy, snowy,
or icy conditions and then letting up on the accelerator
or downshifting, the rear wheels may begin to slip and
this message displays. This message stays on for a few
seconds following the engine drag control event.
ENGINE OVERHEATED –STOP ENGINE
This message displays and a sound will be heard when
the engine has overheated. Stop and turn the engine
off immediately to avoid severe engine damage.
See Engine Overheating on page 6‑38.
ENGINE PROTECTION REDUCE
ENGINE RPM
This message displays if the engine oil temperature
exceeds 160°C (320°F). Check the engine coolant
temperature and engine oil level. If the engine is
too hot, see Engine Overheating
on page 6‑38.
The vehicle may need service, so see your dealer/
retailer.
You can monitor the oil temperature with the gauges
button on the DIC. See DIC Operation and Displays
on
page 4‑47.
4-56
If the vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
the vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, slow
down and adjust your driving to these conditions. It is
important to slow down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control
more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by shifting
to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could cause the
tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery
until the vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues —such as enough water, ice, or packed snow on
the road to make a mirrored surface —and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Antilock brakes help avoid only the
braking skid.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, see Engine Oil on page 6‑19.
Z06, ZR1, and Grand Sport 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, ZR1, and Grand Sport: Be sure to check
the oil level often during racing or other competitive
driving and keep the level at or near 1 L (1 quart)
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, ZR1, and Grand Sport Only: For racing or
competitive driving, it is recommended that the brake
fluid be replaced with a high performance brake fluid
that has a dry boiling point greater than 279°C (534°F).
5-19
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work properly. In most
cases, nothing should have to be added to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel
injectors and intake valves clean, or if the vehicle
experiences problems due to dirty injectors or valves,
look for gasoline that is advertised as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline.
For customers who do not use TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel System
Treatment PLUS, added to the fuel tank at every engine
oil change, can help clean deposits from fuel injectors
and intake valves. GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS
is the only gasoline additive recommended by General
Motors.
Also, your dealer/retailer has additives that will help
correct and prevent most deposit‐related problems. Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be
available in your area. We recommend that you use
these gasolines, if they comply with the specifications
described earlier. However, E85 (85% ethanol) and
other fuels containing more than 10% ethanol must
not be used in vehicles that were not designed for
those fuels.
Notice:
This vehicle was not designed for fuel
that contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend against
the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can
reduce the life of spark plugs and the performance
of the emission control system could be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp might turn on. If this
occurs, return to your dealer/retailer for service.
6-8
Oils meeting these
requirements should have
the starburst symbol on
the container. This symbol
indicates that the oil has
been certified by the
American Petroleum
Institute (API).
This vehicle's engine was filled 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.
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 flushes 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 filter. 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.
6-25
Z06, ZR1, and Grand Sport 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
filter. See Engine Oil on page 6‑19.
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 1 000 km
(600 miles). 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 filter 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 5 000 km (3,000 miles) since the last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to
change the engine oil and filter 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.
6-26
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
filter 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.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
See Engine Compartment Overviewon page 6‑14for
the location of the engine air cleaner/filter.
Notice: If you spray water into the engine air
cleaner/filter intake and water enters the engine
air cleaner/filter 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/filter intake and/or housing. If you are cleaning the vehicle with the hood open, take
care not to spray water directly near the filter 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/filter at the Maintenance
II
intervals and replace them at the first oil change after
each 80 000 km (50,000 mile) interval. See Scheduled
Maintenance
on page 7‑3for more information. If you
are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the filter at
each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/
Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/filter, remove the filter from
the vehicle and lightly shake the filter to release loose
dust and dirt. If the filter remains caked with dirt, a new
filter is required.
6-27
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode lets the vehicle
be driven to a safe place, up to 50 miles (80 km),
in an emergency situation. If an overheated engine
condition exists and the messages COOLANT OVER
TEMPERATURE and REDUCED ENGINE POWER
are displayed, along with the check engine light, an
overheat protection mode which alternates firing groups
of cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this
mode, there is a significant loss in power and engine
performance.
Driving extended distances in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.
Notice: After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil
and reset the oil life system. See Engine Oil
on
page 6‑19.
Power Steering Fluid
See Engine Compartment
Overviewon page 6‑14for reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
6-41
To clean: 1. Saturate a lint-free, clean white cloth with water or club soda.
2. Wring the cloth to remove excess moisture.
3. Start on the outside edge of the soil and gently rub toward the center. Continue cleaning, using a clean
area of the cloth each time it becomes soiled.
4. Continue to gently rub the soiled area until the cleaning cloth remains clean.
5. If the soil is not completely removed, use a mild soap solution and repeat the cleaning process that
was used with plain water.
If any of the soil remains, a commercial fabric cleaner
or spot lifter may be necessary. When a commercial
upholstery cleaner or spot lifter is to be used, test a
small hidden area for colorfastness first. If the locally
cleaned area gives any impression that a ring formation
may result, clean the entire surface.
After the cleaning process has been completed, a paper
towel can be used to blot excess moisture from the
fabric or carpet.Coated Moldings
These moldings are around the hatch opening in the
rear area.
.When lightly soiled, wipe with a sponge or soft
lint-free cloth dampened with water.
.When heavily soiled, use warm soapy water.
Leather
A soft cloth dampened with water can be used to
remove dust. If a more thorough cleaning is necessary,
a soft cloth dampened with a mild soap solution can
be used. Allow the leather to dry naturally. Do not use
heat to dry. Never use steam to clean leather. Never
use spot lifters or spot removers on leather. Many
commercial leather cleaners and coatings that are
sold to preserve and protect leather may permanently
change the appearance and feel of the leather and are
not recommended. Do not use silicone or wax-based
products, or those containing organic solvents to clean
the vehicle's interior because they can alter the
appearance by increasing the gloss in a non-uniform
manner. Never use shoe polish on leather.
6-92