2010 CHEVROLET CORVETTE coolant level

Battery Run-Down Protection
This vehicle has a feature to help prevent the battery
from being drained in case any of the following lamps
are left on; the underhood lamp, if your vehicle has
this feature, vanity mirror lamps, cargo lamps, reading
lamps, console or glove box lamps. If any of these
lamps are left on, they will automatically time-out after
about 10 minutes. To reset it, all of the above lamps
must be turned off or the ignition key on.
Head-Up Display (HUD)
{WARNING:
If the HUD image is too bright, or too high in your
field of view, it may take you more time to see
things you need to see when it is dark outside.
Be sure to keep the HUD image dim and placed
low in your field of view.
For vehicles with the Head-Up Display (HUD), you can
see some of the driver information that appears on the
instrument panel cluster. The information may be displayed in English or metric
units and appears as an image focused out toward the
front of the vehicle. The HUD consists of the following
information:
.Speedometer
.Turn Signal Indicators
.High-Beam Indicator Symbol
.Tachometer
.Manual Paddle Shift Gear Indicator (If Equipped)
These displays on the HUD are for use when
using the manual paddle shift controls to shift
the transmission. See
“Manual Paddle Shift”in
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 3‑26.
.Shift Light
This light is used for performance driving to
indicate that the vehicle's best performance level
has been reached to shift the transmission into the
next higher gear. An arrow pointing up will light up
on the display just prior to reaching the engine fuel
cut-off mode. This cut-off is about 6,500 RPM for
the LS3 engine, 6,600 RPM for the LS9 & ZR1
engines and 7,000 RPM for the LS7 engine.
.Check Gauges Warning
.Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
4-16

CHECK COOLANT LEVEL
This message displays when the engine coolant level is
low. Have the cooling system serviced by your dealer/
retailer as soon as possible. See Engine Coolant
on
page 6‑34.
CHECK GAS CAP
This message displays if the fuel cap has not been fully
tightened. Check the fuel cap to make sure that it is on
properly. Once tightened, it takes at least one overnight
park to reset or clear this message. If both the CHECK
GAS CAP message and the malfunction indicator lamp
in the instrument panel cluster are on, you may need to
see your dealer/retailer for service. See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
on page 4‑41for more information.
CHECK OIL LEVEL
On some vehicles, this message displays and two
chimes sound if the oil level in the vehicle is low. Once
the vehicle senses a change in the engine oil level, the
light remains off.
If this message appears after starting the engine, the
engine oil level may be too low. You may need to add
oil. See Engine Overheating on page 6‑38.
To acknowledge the message, press the RESET button.
The message reappears every 10 minutes until this
condition changes.
CLOSE TRUNK TO MOVE TOP
This message displays and a sound will be heard if
the trunk is open while you are trying to operate the
convertible top. Make sure the trunk is closed before
operating the convertible top. See Convertible Top
(Manual)
on page 3‑59or Convertible Top (Power)on
page 3‑66.
COMPETITIVE DRIVING MODE
This message displays and a sound will be heard
when the Competitive Driving mode is selected.
The instrument panel cluster light will be on when
the Competitive Driving mode is selected. If your
vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission,
Launch Control is available when this mode selected.
The Traction Control System (TCS) will not be operating
while in the Competitive Driving mode. Adjust your
driving accordingly. This system is available on all
models except ZR1. See Competitive Driving Mode
on
page 5‑9, including the “Launch Control” information,
and Racing or Other Competitive Drivingon page 5‑19for more information.
4-55

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

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6‑27.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power
Steering Fluid on page 6‑41.
C. Engine Compartment Fuse Block on page 6‑104.
D. Remote Positive (+) Terminal (Out of View). See Jump Starting on page 6‑50.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
under Engine Oil on page 6‑19.
F. Dry Sump Engine Oil Tank. See “Changing Engine
Oil and Filter” Engine Oil on page 6‑19.
G. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
under Engine Oil on page 6‑19.
H. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine Coolant on page 6‑34.
I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on
page 6‑42.
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”under
Brakes on page 6‑43.
K. Clutch Master Cylinder Reservoir. See Hydraulic
Clutch on page 6‑31.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
(Except ZO6, ZR1, and Grand Sport)
If the CHECK OIL LEVEL message displays on the
Driver Information Center (DIC), check the engine oil
level right away. For more information, see Driver
Information Center (DIC)
on page 4‑47. Check the
engine oil level regularly; this is an added reminder.
It is a good idea to check the engine oil level at each
fuel fill. 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.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 6‑14for 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 this is not done,
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.
6-19

When to Check and What to Use
The hydraulic clutch fluid
reservoir cap has this
symbol on it. See Engine
Compartment Overview
on page 6‑14for
reservoir location.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule for the proper
fluid to use. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 7‑10. The fluid requires changing every
two years. See Scheduled Maintenance on page 7‑3.
How to Check and Add Fluid
Visually check the clutch fluid reservoir to make sure
the fluid level is at the MIN (minimum) line on the side
of the reservoir. The hydraulic clutch fluid system
should be closed and sealed.
Do not remove the cap to check the fluid level or to
top‐off the fluid level. Remove the cap only when
necessary to add the proper fluid until the level
reaches the MIN line.
Cooling System (Engine)
The cooling system allows the engine to maintain the
correct working temperature.
7.0L Engine shown, 6.2L Engine similar
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fan
B. Coolant Surge Tank with Pressure Cap
6-32

What to Use
{WARNING:
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 fire 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 −37°C (−34°F),
outside temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to 129°C (265°F),
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.
See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on
page 7‑10for more information.
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. See Engine Coolant
on
page 6‑34for more information.
6-35

The engine coolant surge
tank is located toward
the rear of the engine
compartment on the
driver side of the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment
Overview
on page 6‑14for 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
{WARNING:
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.
{WARNING:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn the coolant surge
tank pressure cap —even a little —they can come
out at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the coolant surge tank
pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system
and coolant surge tank pressure cap to cool if you
ever have to turn the pressure cap.
6-36

If coolant is needed, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture directly to the surge tank, but be sure
the cooling system is cool before this is done.
1. When the cooling system, including the coolant surge tank pressure cap and upper radiator hose,
is no longer hot, remove the pressure cap.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise
about one-quarter turn and then stop.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss
means there is still some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly, and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper DEX-COOL coolant mixture until the level inside
stabilizes at the FULL COLD mark on the front of
the surge tank.
6-37